Easter Concert: Songs and Dances for Common Emotions
The Cultural Center at “Resurrection of Christ” Cathedral in Tirana
In the context of cultural Easter activities, a festive concert took place in the hall of the Cultural Center at “Resurrection of Christ” Cathedral in Tirana. The Easter concert with songs and dances for common emotions was organized by the Greek Lyceum of Girls after a positive response to the invitation that the staff had sent to the Holy Archiepiscopate of Tirana.
The Greek Lyceum of Girls was established in 1911 and it is popular for its concerts rich in traditional folk music and dancing held in different countries, and the several prizes the school has won, as well as for the collection and revitalization of the traditional folk costumes. The festive program included songs and dances from all over Greece, among which the Arvanite traditional songs, like “Moj na ne na”, “Një trehantiraki”, “Tunde-tunde”, “Do ta pres” grabbed the attention of the participants.
In the end, the group members, who thrilled the numerous public which filled the hall beyond its capacity, were welcomed by Archbishop Anastasios. The group was also accompanied by the well-known politician of Arvanitas’ origin, Mr. Theodhoros Pangalos who had previously been a deputy prime minister and a foreign minister of the neighboring country.
Special thanks go to the following sponsors who enabled through their donations the organization of this activity: Hygeia Hospital Tirana, Hellas GOLD Enterprise, Antea Cement, INFANTIS and TIRANA Bank
Brief Closing Word of Archbishop Anastasios:
What an Easter gift this is! A gift like Pascha itself, filled with light, beauty, joy, strength and hope. I believe I represent all of you when I express my deep gratitude and admiration towards the Greek Lyceum of Girls, Mrs. Eleni Calldari, its President and all the musicians and virtuous dancers who truly inspired us with the hope and joy of life.
I see lots of youth in this room. Our generation started to conceptualize the world during World War II under German occupation. Our spiritual resistance to extreme pain was the decision to work towards more freedom, more love and more creativity. Let your generation also work towards these! There are circles that want to spoil the relations among peoples. Our resistance against this phenomenon should be: more brotherhood, more cooperation and more mutual respect. When we built this Cultural Center downside the Church Cathedral, we wanted to point out that Orthodoxy embraces the whole world and that truth, love and beauty go together in the orthodox tradition.
Christ is Risen!
Thoma Dhima
Translated by: Juljana Kodheli
