Art and culture are fundamental for our future, Custodian of the Crown of Romania, Her Majesty Margareta said on Saturday evening, before the Royal Charity Concert that takes place every year at the Romanian Athenaeum.
"Society needs all kinds of meaningful things, and art and culture are fundamental for our future, and youth define our future. What is important in this project is this intergenerational model where older and young people share various experiences and knowledge. In addition, we have sponsors, so this project emanates a civic sense, which is something very important," said Her Majesty Margareta.
The Custodian of the Crown recalled that the beginning was difficult, as the attention of society was focused on other problems.
"It was a hard time for culture. At first in Romania, the highest need was for health care, social problems were acute, there was hunger and poverty. People considered that the money should be directed elsewhere, but little by little they realized how important this aspect of life is and they started donating with greater dependability, and they came every year to support these young people and they also saw what results they had. For example, tonight we have George Virban who sang at the Metropolitan and was the recipient of a scholarship of ours. And that is important for the country. I remember him very well, since the time he was just starting out," Her Majesty added.
The Custodian of the Crown reminisced that she set up the Foundation together with King Mihai, and confessed that she thinks of both him and the Queen Mother every day.
"His Majesty King Mihai set up the foundation with me and every year when he could, he came to attend the concert and followed our projects, and he was very confident in the young people. He would have been very proud and happy to see our progress. (...) I think of him every day and of my mother as well," Margareta said.
The program of the 16th Royal Charity Concert organized by the Margareta of Romania Foundation included compositions by G. Verdi, G. Bizet, P.I. Tchaikovsky, C. Gounod, A. Lara and R. Chapi.
Mezzo-soprano Ramona Zaharia and tenor George Virban took the stage, accompanied by the New Hope Orchestra under the direction of maestro David Crescenzi, and by the Romanian National Choir led by Daniel Jinga.
The Royal Concert traditionally takes place on October 25 - the birthday of King Mihai I of Romania, founding figure of the foundation alongside Her Majesty Margareta, Custodian of the Crown of Romania.
Attending the concert were members of the Royal Family of Romania, and as every year, the event was a meeting point for many supporters of art and culture, including diplomats, cultural figures and business leaders, as well as donors, sponsors or sympathizers of the foundation.
The first edition of the Royal Charity Concert took place in 2008. Over time, the funds accumulated from sponsorships and donations have exceeded 2 million euros.
To date, 470 scholarships have been awarded to talented young people from low-income backgrounds, and with the support of mentors and sustained promotion, they have made remarkable accomplishments both nationally and internationally.
The Margareta of Romania Royal Foundation (FRMR) was established in 1990 by King Mihai I of Romania and Her Majesty Margareta, Custodian of the Crown. The Royal Foundation supports children, young people and the elderly through sustainable interventions, based on the intergenerational exchange of experience and values. Over time, the Foundation has been involved in numerous social, cultural and education and artistic talent support projects. More details about the Foundation's programs are available on www.frmr.ro.
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