Press Releases

It is with great honor that I welcome you to the Cypriot Gala Concert. I believe that it is really an honor to have here in Vienna, the capital of music, a concert by young Cypriot artists and students.

This event is organized by the Cypriot Cultural Center in Vienna, under the auspices of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sport and Youth, in the context of our efforts to enhance the cultural relations between Cyprus and Austria. Music is a suitable ground to bring closer our two countries.

This concert, which has become already an institution, is the outcome of an initiative of our famous baritone here in Austria, co-founder and president of the Cypriot Cultural Center in Vienna, Mr Kyros Patsalides. Many thanks and our appreciation to Kyros.  

Our Cultural Center here in Vienna has a remarkable presence at the artistic events of the Austrian capital that highlights Cyprus and its culture. With its exceptional work it presents outstanding activities in the heart of Europe and promotes the Cypriot culture and young Cypriot artists, also contributing now to the vision of the European year of Youth. It consolidates the connection of Cypriot and Austrian composers and contributors. The exceptionally high level of its activities has the full support of the Ministry and has made its active members worthy cultural ambassadors of their homeland.  

At the same time our Cultural Center also disseminates knowledge for the long-standing Cyprus problem and in particular the destruction of cultural heritage in the occupied area of Cyprus by the Turkish army, as a result of the 1974 invasion.

With this reference, although it is a moment of joy and music, we can not forget what is happening in the eastern part of our continent, in Ukraine. I repeat the message of the recent common declaration of the 27 ministers of culture of the E.U., opposing the invasion of Russia and expressing our solidarity to the people of Ukraine and in particular to the artists and others working in cultural activities. We all demand the immediate end of the war and the prevalence of international law. I will add the wish that Ukrainians will not have to wait 48 years, still demanding the end of the occupation of their land and the withdrawal of foreign troupes, as in our case in Cyprus with the Turkish army still occupying part of our country since 1974. We expect that international law will prevail right now.  

At this concert, well-established soloists from Cyprus, Greece and Austria cooperate and perform, together with the Cyprus Youth Symphony Orchestra and the choir of Music High Schools -this time the choir comes from Paphos Music School. I am very happy for this exceptional opportunity and the unique experience of our young artists and students.

The Cyprus Gala Concert is a recognized event that takes place every year in the world-famous Wiener Musikverein, founded thanks to the contribution of the prominent Greek benefactor, the industrialist and liberal politician Nikolaos Doumbas and his father. Well-known works by both classical and contemporary Greek and Cypriot composers are performed.

During this concert, tonight, distinguished pieces from Johann Strauss, Franz Lehar, Mikis Theodorakis, Manos Hadjidakis, Spyros Samaras, Michalis Christodoulides, Solonas Michaelides, will be presented. Furthermore, we will enjoy the first presentation of the song «Άρκον Τριαντάφυλλον» (Arkon Triantafyllon, that means Wild Rose) in music of Lefteris Giannakou, poetry by Andreas Papacharalambous and orchestration of Dinos Giorgoutzos. Finally, we will have the pleasure to be introduced to a new talented Cypriot violin soloist, young Ella Kalides.

This concert is the result of efforts of many people, soloists, young artists, teachers and students whom I would like to warmly thank for their contribution. I also thank the director of the Cyprus Youth Symphony Orchestra Yiorgos Kountouris and the director of the Paphos Music School and the irector of the school choir. And of course, I thank our Ambassador in Vienna and all the other people in the embassy. Finally, many thanks to all those present for your constant and committed support.

I sincerely hope that you will enjoy this musical journey!

IP