Sunday afternoon, June 1, 2014, at 18.00, the program of the day also involved a festive concert at the modern Cultural Center, which took place in the amphitheater downstairs from the Cathedral Church. All the delegations, invited guests, politicians, intellectuals and Orthodox believers participated in this concert, especially the youth, who made the atmosphere very festive. The concert opened with the hymn “Christ is Risen” sung by the choir of the Cathedral, conducted by Milto Vako, accompanied by the Symphony Orchestra of the National Theatre of Opera and Ballet, under the direction of the conductor Edmond (Aristotle) Doko, performed in 6 languages (English, Greek, Slavic, Romanian, Arabic and English); three orchestral selections followed, written by three Orthodox composers, Josif Minga, Thoma Gaqi and Vasil Tole. The show continued with the hymn “Praise the Lord”, performed by the choir of the “Resurrection of Christ” Cathedral, under the direction of Milto Vako.
Then the scene was “infused” by Orthodox youth groups, with their Byzantine hymns, Christian songs, folk songs and dances. The audience applauded the “St. John Kukuzelis” Choir, composed of the students from the Byzantine Music School, in Tirana, under the direction of Theodhor Peci; and the Choir “St. John of Damascus”, composed of the students of the “Resurrection of Christ Theological Academy St. Vlash – Durrës” and by the students of the “Holy Cross” Ecclesiastical High School in Sukth – Durrës – under the direction of Harallamb Tereziu. The Orthodox youth choir of Berat, under the direction of Agron Gjyzari were greatly appreciated and applauded; the Choir of the Albanian – American Protagonists Elementary School, in Tirana, under the direction of Mrs. Agi Nano; the artistic group of girls from the dormitory of the Church in Bularat, Gjirokastër danced to the song “Unfaded Rose”; next came the artistic group of the Orthodox youth of Korça, and the popular orchestra of the “Resurrection of Christ” spiritual center, in Këlcyra – under the direction of Father Romano Tralo. Then the concert continued with the joyful dances of the Orthodox youth group of Gjinar, from the province of Shpati, and the dance group from Orthodox Children’s Home of Hope, in St. Vlash, Durrës. Then the festive concert concluded with the Orchestra of the Radio “Ngjallja”, in Tirana, under the direction of Mrs. Joli Goro and with the poem “Dedication”, created and performed by Kristian Koroveshi.
The program ended with two documentaries films that were followed with great interest by the participants: “Phases from the Construction of the New Cathedral”, and “Moments from the Rebuilding of the Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania”.
At the conclusion of the concert, the youth were greeted by the Ecumenical Patriarch, Bartholomew I and by Archbishop Anastasios.
