Pristina, 10 May, 2024
On the occasion of marking the 14th edition of the Chopin Piano Fest, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, participated in the opening of this festival, which will offer special and unforgettable piano nights for 14 consecutive evenings throughout the festival’s duration.
Chopin Piano Fest is an achievement of a dedicated artistic community that offers the Kosovar audience the world-class quality of piano interpretation. On this occasion, Prime Minister Kurti expressed gratitude to the two organizers for their work and dedication to this festival.
During his speech, among other things, the Prime Minister also mentioned the opening of Petrit Halilaj’s personal exhibition, “Abetare,” in New York, and on the other hand, the Kosovo pavilion with Doruntina Kastrati, which was awarded in a global competition at the Venice Biennale. Meanwhile, on April 25, in Pristina, a joint production of our National Theater with four theaters from European states arrived, and on May 24 in Cannes, France, Samir Karahoda’s film “Rrugës” competes for an award in the short film category, and finally, the Siparantum Choir together with the Vienna Symphony Orchestra performed Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of the premiere of the Symphony.
“The success of our artists extends beyond the borders of Europe. Art and our connection to the world, the creativity of our artists, is our added value to others and in communication and cooperation with others,” said Prime Minister Kurti.
The complete speech of Prime Minister Kurti:
Your Excellency, Ambassadors of the European Union and the United States of America, Mr. Szunyog and Mr. Hovenier,
Ambassadors of Germany and Italy, Mr. Rohde and Mr. De Rio
Honorable Deputy Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Ms. Daulina Osmani
Honorable Mayor of the Municipality of Pristina, Mr. Përparim Rama,
Honorable diplomatic representatives accredited to our Republic,
Honorable Lejla Haxhiu Pula, Artistic Director of Chopin Piano Fest, and
Honorable Besa Luzha, Organizational Director of Chopin Piano Fest,
Honorable Mr. Artem Jasinski, pianist from Ukraine,
Honorable directors of art and culture institutions in our country,
Dear art lovers,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Welcome to another edition of Chopin Piano Fest, which promises to offer us magical piano nights again. The 14th edition of the festival will have 14 musical evenings. Just like the number of one of the most beloved sonatas of Ludwig van Beethoven, Piano Sonata No. 14, or also known as Moonlight Sonata. A peculiarity of this sonata by Beethoven is the influence it had on one of the most beautiful piano compositions, Frederic Chopin’s Fantaisie-Impromptu, which was actually a dedication to Beethoven.
Chopin Piano Fest is an achievement of a dedicated artistic community that offers the Kosovar audience the world-class quality of piano interpretation. Tonight, in particular, I want to congratulate two names who bear the main burden of this 14-year journey. Lejla Pula and Besa Luzha, congratulations and thank you for your dedication and hard work, and please do not stop counting us.
Today, we also celebrate Europe Day. The names of artists from Kosovo, coming from various disciplines of art, are already well-known on European art scenes and groups because they are valuable and direct contributors to them. But the success of our artists extends beyond the borders of Europe. Art and our connection to the world, the creativity of our artists, is our added value to others and in communication and cooperation with others.
Thus, ten days ago, Petrit Halilaj opened his personal exhibition “Abetare” in one of the most prestigious art spaces in the world, the terrace of the Metropolitan Museum in New York. Meanwhile, ten days before Petrit, the Kosovo pavilion with Doruntina Kastrati was awarded in a global competition at the Venice Biennale. On April 25, in Pristina, a joint production of our National Theater arrived with four theaters from European states, and on May 24 in Cannes, France, Samir Karahoda’s film “Rrugës” competes for an award in the short film category. Last night, on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of the premiere of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, the Siparantum Choir marked this date by performing the piece together with the Vienna Symphony Orchestra and the Wiener Singakademie at the Wiener Konzerthaus.
Tonight, the Chopin Piano Fest 14 is opening. Other international festivals and events will continue to be held throughout the year in our country, and other global awards for our artists will also continue. And this commitment and dedication of an entire community of artists and cultural workers naturally deserve state institutions that understand the value and importance of art and create a favorable environment for action and creation. It is no coincidence that among the 15 ministries, the largest budget increase as a percentage in 2024 is enjoyed by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports. This budgetary prioritization comes parallel to our new cultural policy, which focuses on supporting the independent scene, increasing the volume and quality of artistic creation, developing cultural audiences, and international representation through art.
I wish the organizers success during this month with many quality concerts, and I wish the audience pleasant evenings.
Thank you.
Last modified: May 10, 2024