Čiurlionis and the 90th anniversary of G. Kanchelli, has just taken place in Tbilisi. It was a true dialogue of
cultures, led by the renowned conductor Mirian Chuchunaishvili, who brought together Lithuanian and
Georgian performers: Tbilisi Youth Orchestra named after Giya Kanchelli, Vilnius JJjazz ensemble and
distinguished Lithuanian musicians.
In the magnificent Theatre Hall of the Georgian National Palace, the audience enjoyed G. Kanchelli’s
miniatures and the premiere of the symphonic poem “Dedication to Čiurlionis” – a work created by a
Lithuanian composer Jievaras Jasinskis for the international festival “Pokrov Bells,” which was recently
concluded in Vilnius.
A full house, endless applause, warm feedback and a genuine desire to continue creating together – this
is the result of the project initiated by the Folklore and Ethnography Center of Lithuanian National
Minorities and the Giya Kanchelli Tbilisi Youth Orchestra. The project was included in the programme of
the Lithuanian Government, dedicated to the 150th anniversary of M. K. Čiurlionis on national and
international level. It was supported by the Ministry of Culture of Lithuania, Vilnius City Municipality, the
Department of National Minorities under the Government of Lithuania and the Embassy of Lithuania in
Georgia.
A heartfelt THANK YOU to all project participants and partners: the talented musicians of Lithuania and
Georgia, conductor Mirian Chuchunaishvili, soloist David Akopian, the management of the Georgian
National Palace Concert Hall, the Georgian International Centre “Dialogue of Cultures”, the B. Jonušas
Music School of Vilnius and the organizational committee of the Folklore and Ethnography Center of
Lithuanian National Minorities! It was an unforgettable concert. Events like these, bringing Lithuanian
and Georgian cultures closer together, should definitely take place more often.
Irena Zacharova
Director of the Folklore and Ethnography Center of Lithuanian National Minorities,
Project Manager
