Six young soloists captivated the audience with memorable performances and received prolonged applause at the 15th anniversary of the Royal Charitable Concert, an exceptional edition which took place at the Romanian Athenaeum. Organized by Margareta of Romania Royal Foundation, this event is among the most well-known fundraising efforts in Romania and this year's edition proved its profound impact on the artistic community once again. The €200,000 raised will support 30 scholarships for talented young individuals coming from underprivileged backgrounds, along with a comprehensive professional development program through the Young Talents initiative.

Held annually on the birthday of King Michael of Romania, the Royal Charitable Concert took place in the presence of Her Majesty, Margareta, the Custodian of the Crown and His Royal Highness Prince Radu, accompanied by Her Royal Highness Princess Muna al-Hussein of Jordan and Her Royal Highness Princess Sofia. The concert took place in the presence of the ambassadors of the United States, France, and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to Romania, the Deputy Ambassador of the United Kingdom, and an audience of 800 music enthusiasts, cultural dignitaries, artists, business representatives, members of the Romanian Orthodox Church, the Roman Catholic Church, and advocates for Romanian arts.

The public enjoyed a royal evening with young musicians who formally benefited from Young Talents scholarships. The performance took place on the stage of the Athenaeum and it was accompanied by the Universitaria Orchestra from the National University of Music in Bucharest and conducted by the famous maestro Tiberiu Soare, a long-standing supporter of the program.

The audience had the privilege of listening to George Stephănescu's National Overture, Antonio Vivaldi's Concerto for Two Cellos and Orchestra in G minor, Pablo de Sarasate's Navarra for Two Violins and Orchestra, and Francis Poulenc's Concerto for Two Pianos and Orchestra. These pieces were exceptionally delivered by cellists Constantin Borodin and Izabela Ghergu, violinists Mircea Dumitrescu and Paul Răducanu, pianists Cadmiel Boțac and Mihai Ritivoiu. Paul Răducanu and Mircea Dumitrescu performed on the famous violins crafted by Paul Kaul and Frères Silvestre, both formerly owned by George Enescu and managed now by the National "George Enescu" Museum.

Her Majesty Margareta opened her speech at the last Friday's Royal Charitable Concert saying:

“It is a great joy to be together this evening, at the 15th edition of the Royal Charitable Concert, an event where we celebrate talent and generosity. Romania needs art, and together we support young, talented musicians and visual artists, offering them scholarships, mentorship, and promotion. The Young Talents scholarship has been a gateway for many artists to pursue their dreams, allowing them to grow along their artistic path, instilling confidence in the value of their work and inspiring them to seek excellence.

Over 440 scholarships have been awarded since 2008, more than €2 million invested in their support. Young Talents has become a national project, giving courage and voice to a new generation of artists.

Today, many of our scholars have gained international recognition in galleries and prestigious museums. They have placed Romania on the world’s cultural map. Izabela, Cadmiel, Mircea, Paul, Mihai, and Constantin, the six soloists on the stage this evening represent six success stories. We are proud that their career became successful through talent, hard work, and courage, but also through the guidance of mentors and the generosity of those who support the Young Talents scholarships.”

Tiberiu Soare, conducting his fifth Royal Concert, remarked, "Last night, our goal was to present an act of the highest artistic quality to the audience—high standard music, driven purely by the talent of the new generation, with the support of an orchestra composed of students from the National University of Music Bucharest. The concert's soloists are former Young Talents scholars proving the impact of this project over the years. We sought to create an artistic impression that would underscore the social significance of the valuable support that generous individuals can extend to young artists starting their journey. I hope the Athenaeum audience witnessed the transformative power of investing in people and the remarkable outcomes such a program can yield."

Guests admired the exhibition called Passions and Pursuits of the Royal Family, created during the interdisciplinary creative camp held this year in August by 2024’s Young Talents visual artists under the guidance of Ion Anghel, PhD.

Throughout the years, the Young Talents program has offered over 440 scholarships and supported over 300 young musicians and visual artists coming from underprivileged backgrounds, by providing scholarships, mentorship, and professional training opportunities. These scholarships offer more than financial aid, granting access to mentorship sessions, masterclasses led by established musicians, invitations to competitions, exhibition opportunities, and a wealth of resources that enable scholars to reach their full potential. The national selection for the new edition of the Young Talents scholarships is open until November 10, 2024.

The Royal Charitable Concert is supported by a series of corporate sponsors and partners, with whom the Margareta of Romania Royal Foundation continues to promote the development of Romanian culture and arts. These partnerships are essential to supporting young talents and preserving Romania’s cultural heritage.

"We are incredibly grateful to our sponsors who stand by us each year, and to the music and art enthusiasts who attended the Royal Charity Concert. The funds raised at the concert will enable us to support 30 talented young individuals as they continue their studies and develop as artists. Supporting them is not only a financial contribution but a crucial investment in the future of Romanian culture," stated Mugurel Mărgărit, Executive Director of the Margareta of Romania Royal Foundation.

Throughout 17 years, Young Talents has raised over €2 million, ensuring thus the continuity of Romania's most vital cultural support program for young people.

For more information about the Margareta of Romania Royal Foundation and the Young Talents program, visit www.frmr.ro.

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Partner: Kaufland România

Institutional partner: Universitatea Națională de Muzică București

Sponsors: EY România, B&B Collection - Kultho, PEPCO Retail, PPG România - Oskar, Ferrero Rocher, Dedeman, Yardi România, UniCredit Bank, Enayati Medical City, Highlight Agency, Casa Siqua, Easy Print Services

Sponsors in kind: Hochland România, Aqua Carpatica, 5toGo, Ibis Styles Bucharest City Center – Accor, Angelli, Emotion Philms Production, Editura Curtea Veche

Co-producers: TVR Cultural, Radio România Muzical

Media Partners: Europa FM, Radio România Cultural, Radio România Actualități, Radio Trinitas, RFI România, AGERPRES, Forbes România, Forbes Life, ziarul cotidian diplomatic Nine O’Clock, Zile și Nopți, BIZ, Haute Culture, Adevărul, Revista CARIERE, Revista Insight Tarom, Cocor Media Channel, IQads, SMARK, Phoenix Media, mediaTRUST România, Zenith Media, Revista Cultura, Revista Zeppelin, The Institute

With the support of: Filarmonica George Enescu, Muzeul Național ”George Enescu”, Eventim, Chapter 4 Communications

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About the national Young Talents program

Many talented children come from families whose financial possibilities do not allow them to pursue their talent. As a result, Romania loses dozens of talented young people every year who could otherwise become cultural ambassadors. Romania needs art! In response to this problem, Margareta of Romania Royal Foundation has created a national program to support, mentor and promote these talented young artists who come from low-income families and need financial support to reach their true potential and express their talent. Thus, 440 scholarships have helped young people aged between 14 and 24, who are studying music or visual arts in high schools and universities in Romania, to overcome their financial hardship and continue to express their artistic value. The Royal Foundation has been the sole beneficiary of the Royal Charitable Concert, organized annually since 2008, and the funds raised from ticket sales and sponsorship are dedicated to the Young Talent Project. The Royal Concert has traditionally taken place on October 25th, the birthday of King Mihai I of Romania, founder of the Foundation together with Her Majesty Margareta, Romanian Crown Custodian, and each edition of the anniversary concert has brought the most talented musicians of the moment and great orchestras to the stage of the Romanian Athenaeum, in support of young Romanian artists.

About Margareta of Romania Royal Foundation

Margareta of Romania Royal Foundation was established in 1990 by King Mihai I of Romania and Her Majesty Margareta, Custodian of the Romanian Crown. With 34 years of activity, the Royal Foundation supports children, young people and the elderly through sustainable interventions based on the exchange of experience and values between generations. Over the years, the Foundation has been involved in numerous social and cultural projects, supporting education and artistic talent. More details about the Foundation's programs are available at www.frmr.ro.