The inaugural concert of this CEMAN Orchestra's 2024 tour took place in Trieste on 2 October, marking the beginning of a series of musical events in several CEI Member States until 9 October.
Coinciding with the Albanian CEI Presidency, the renowned Albanian conductor, Olsi Qinami, led the orchestra, with acclaimed Albanian violinist Laura Llozi taking the spotlight as the soloist. Their participation - as well as that of conductors and soloists from the countries chairing the CEI in past years since 2018 - underscored the commitment to celebrating cultural ties and showcasing the rich musical culture of the region.
The CEMAN Orchestra, which had long been supported by the CEI, aims to foster cross-cultural collaboration through music. This year's performances were held in several key cities in Italy, Croatia, Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic, bringing together diverse audiences and enriching the cultural landscape of each location.
In conjunction with the tour, an international conference titled “Beyond the Borders - Experiences and New Opportunities in the Internationalization of Academic Musical Training” also took place in Trieste on 2-3 October at the prestigious Tartini Conservatory. Opened by the Conservatory Director, prof. Sandro Torlontano, the conference provided a platform for discussions on advancing musical education and collaboration across borders.
Michele Mazzola, Director of the Ministry for University and Research's General Directorate for Internationalization and Communication contributed to the proceedings; Romolo Gessi, Music Director of the CEMAN Orchestra, shared insights on the orchestra's experiences, whereas many contributions from notable figures were delivered including Pjeter Guralumi from the University of Arts, Faculty of Music, of Tirana and Dubravka Dujmović Kušan, Secretary General of Jeunesse Musicales Croatia, two main partners of the CEMAN Orchestra this year.
In this setting, CEI Senior Executive Officer, Barbara Fabro, underlined that
the objectives of the CEMAN network are perfectly in line with the CEI mission which includes cultural cooperation among its priorities. Promoting intercultural dialogue and cultural diversity could significantly contribute to fostering good neighbourly relations and enhancing inclusion and accessibility. Looking ahead, efforts will be undertaken to advancing the activities of the CEMAN network making use of our instruments and mechanisms of cooperation both at project and institutional levels.
For more info: fabro@cei.int