URI Global Council chair Eric Roux was part of the Magnificent Bridges of Light concert organized by Bridges Cooperation Circle in Europe.
BRIDGES Cooperation Circle once again celebrated the UN World Interfaith Harmony Week (WIHW) in an extraordinary way. The aim of the Week is to highlight "the imperative need for dialogue between different faiths and religions and to achieve understanding and cooperation between people."
The MAGNIFICENT Bridges of Light performance took place on February 17th at the city's Military Club in Sofia, beneath the majestic arches of the iconic Baroque Concert Hall. The event was held under the honorary patronage and partnership of H.E. Mrs. Andrea Ikić-Böhm, Ambassador of the Republic of Austria and the esteemed presence of HRH Prince Boris Saxe-Coburg-Gotha of Bulgaria.
Chair of the Global Council of United Religions Initiative (URI) Eric Roux attended as special guest to support both the BRIDGES CC and the young people of diverse religions in Bulgaria and Europe.
The Baroque-inspired performance transported the audience into a world of grace and harmony. Invisible threads of light connected diverse art forms, as over 50 young performers from six different religious traditions came together on stage.
Through the universal language of art, they conveyed messages of peace, understanding, and love. The performance was expertly hosted by Silvia Trifonova and Dimitar Borumov, prominent youth leaders within the organization.
BRIDGES CC Chair and URI Europe CC Liaison Officer Angelina Vladikova, warmly welcomed the dignitaries and guests. She emphasized that for years, the organization has stood as a beacon of interfaith dialogue and youth education in tolerance, and that with concerts like this one, BRIDGES aims to show "how much beauty there is in our diversity and what a constructive force comes from our unity and the ability to unite beyond differences."
H. E. Andrea Ikić-Böhm expressed her joy at the Embassy of the Republic of Austria's partnership with the event, addressing the audience in Bulgarian. She highlighted that
“Intercultural dialogue is one of the priorities of the Embassy of Austria and we are happy to be a patron and partner of the concert "Magnificent Bridges of Light" and to celebrate the United Nations Interfaith Harmony Week in Sofia together."
His Royal Highness Prince Boris Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, in his Bulgarian greeting, shared his happiness about having participated in BRIDGES interfaith youth events throughout the year and becoming a natural part of the team.
"I am very happy to be here with you today and to see the work of the BRIDGES talents.
Almost a year ago I came to present them with the first Abdullah II Award. Over the past year, I have witnessed the growth and impact the association has had on the community and I can't wait to see what we will do together."
Eric Roux, Chair of the URI Global Council, expressed his delight in being invited and attending the event in person.
“At URI, we are very proud of the work of Bridges, one of our shining Cooperation Circles. Not only because last year they won the first Prize in the UN Interfaith Harmony Week, but because of the fantastic work they do by engaging the younger generation in a truly genuine interfaith cooperation. And when the younger generation sets the good example as they do here, then comes the real hope for a better future for all.”
The event was graced by over 300 attendees, including representatives of various religious communities, ambassadors, members of parliament, and representatives from ministries and government institutions.
The “Magnificent Bridges of Light” concert uses music and art as a universal language capable of uniting people of different cultures and religious beliefs. The Baroque vision of the performance naturally transported the audience into a world of elegance and harmony.
In the specially prepared program, 17 different outstanding performances bridged the different genres of art - music, dance, painting, theatre. More than 50 young participants, from 4 cities of Bulgaria and 6 different religious traditions, captivated the audience not only with their talents, but also with their willingness to go beyond the limitations of their own beliefs and religion and set an example of interfaith and intercultural dialogue.
The program of the “Magnificent Bridges of light” was thematically constructed in two parts - classical performances in the first part; a kind of intermission to the sounds of Johann Strauss' waltz "Voices of Spring" and the second part - combinations of jazz performances, original songs, a theatre play and gospel songs.
The programme began with the First Movement of the Symphonie Concertante for viola, double bass and orchestra by Carl Dittersdorf ; followed by the Concerto for harpsichord No. 1 in D minor, First Movement (arrangement for two marimbas and piano), Johann Sebastian Bach and the Concerto for four harpsichords in C minor, First Movement (arrangement for two marimbas), Johann Sebastian Bach. Then it was the turn of the Aaria by Domenico Scarlatti-"Qual farfalletta amante". The Armenian community presented the dance "Bingöl" and the beautiful song "Havatum em".
The second part began with the presentation of an exhibition of awarded paintings of children from Tervel and Aytos, continued with beautiful jazz performances of "The Good life", the original songs "Snowflakes in April" and "Shot of Memories", followed by a dance - "Duel between reason and emotions", the original song "Tomorrow" and the jazz section ended with "Autum Nocturne". Impressively presented performance - an excerpt from Kamen Zidarov's play "Tsar Ivan Shishman". To finish the amazing program were the Gospel performances "Not to Us" and "Oh Happy Day".
The incredible talents of the young people lit up the stage and showed a true example of teamwork and collaboration. With few exceptions, they are all part of the Bridges CC youth community and are actively involved in various formats of the organisation.
Soon, many of the participants will meet again to continue their work to build bridges of tolerance across their differences, this time in a different format - a three-day "Ecology of the Soul" learning weekend.
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We are especially proud that in 2024, our "Gift of Love" concert, organized for the same occasion, was honored with the prestigious first prize of the World Interfaith Harmony Week, awarded by His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan. We are excited to announce that Magnificent Bridges of Light will once again be applying for this prestigious award.
