A REMARKABLE EVENT IN THE CULTURAL DIALOGUE BETWEEN LITHUANIA AND GEORGIA

An exceptional concert, dedicated to the anniversaries of two geniuses – the 150th anniversary of M. K. Čiurlionis and the 90th anniversary of G. Kanchelli, has just taken place in Tbilisi. It was a true dialogue of cultures, led by the renowned conductor Mirian Chuchunaishvili, who brought together Lithuanian and Georgian performers: Tbilisi Youth Orchestra named after Giya Kanchelli, Vilnius JJjazz ensemble and distinguished Lithuanian musicians.

In the magnificent Theatre Hall of the Georgian National Palace, the audience enjoyed G. Kanchelli’s miniatures and the premiere of the symphonic poem “Dedication to Čiurlionis” – a work created by a Lithuanian composer Jievaras Jasinskis for the international festival “Pokrov Bells,” which was recently concluded in Vilnius.

A full house, endless applause, warm feedback and a genuine desire to continue creating together – this is the result of the project initiated by the Folklore and Ethnography Center of Lithuanian National Minorities and the Giya Kanchelli Tbilisi Youth Orchestra. The project was included in the programme of the Lithuanian Government, dedicated to the 150th anniversary of M. K. Čiurlionis on national and international level. It was supported by the Ministry of Culture of Lithuania, Vilnius City Municipality, the Department of National Minorities under the Government of Lithuania and the Embassy of Lithuania in Georgia.

A heartfelt THANK YOU to all project participants and partners: the talented musicians of Lithuania and Georgia, conductor Mirian Chuchunaishvili, soloist David Akopian, the management of the Georgian National Palace Concert Hall, the Georgian International Centre “Dialogue of Cultures”, the B. Jonušas Music School of Vilnius and the organizational committee of the Folklore and Ethnography Center of Lithuanian National Minorities! It was an unforgettable concert. Events like these, bringing Lithuanian and Georgian cultures closer together, should definitely take place more often.

Irena Zacharova

Director of the Folklore and Ethnography Center of Lithuanian National Minorities,

Project Manager