Evening at the Elisabeta Palace dedicated to the EUROPAfest music festival took place on Tuesday at the Elisabeta Palace, with Prince Radu underscoring that, thanks to our musicians, Romania is on the front line of the world's arts.

'Music is an art which, in Romania experienced, over the past two-three centuries, an exceptional development and representation. Thanks to our musicians in the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries, Romania is placed on the front line of the world's arts. And this wonderful continuity has never failed, neither during wars, nor during disasters, nor during dictatorships. This is why, we honor with the Royal Patronage the annual EUROPAfest International Competition and Festival, known many years ago, in the last century, as Jeunesses Musicales, and which today has the venerable age of more than three decades. The fourth decade of its existence begins with great courage in a cultural landscape of Romania which itself does not fail. Today, EUROPAfest stands, with its venerable age, alongside fundamental festivals of Romanian classical and modern music and alongside high-calibre events of cinema, theatre, fine arts and architecture in our Capital,' Prince Radu said at the event held in the Hall of Kings.

The Prince praised the personality of EUROPAfest Director Luigi Gageos.

'The festival has courage, it has perseverance and it has at its helm a personality of civil society who never gives up. When things become difficult, he, Luigi Gageos, finds the energy and enthusiasm to continue,' HRH Radu said.

Culture Minister Demeter Andras highlighted the 'unique artistic discourse (...) in the cultural landscape of Romania' at the debut of Jeunesses Musicales, today's EUROPAfest, wishing it 'many brilliant editions and much power of persuasion through music, to help us get through this period as well.'

'We all know, humanity has gone through difficult periods, will go through more. We too will pass through these convulsions of contemporary society. But without the help of music, without the help of an sustained and valuable artistic discourse, I believe that not only we will be poorer, but this - I dare to call it illness - will be prolonged. I am also glad that the Culture Ministry, from the very first editions of this festival stood by and, at times, granted only its patronage, at times, the necessary support, to overcome administrative or even financial obstacles, which, whenever we speak of culture, are always present. I am glad and I can assure you that, going forward, as far as I am concerned, I will remain a reliable partner, both of the man around whom this festival takes place, who is the soul of this festival, Mr Luigi Gageos and of the succession of events that make up this festival,' Culture Minister Demeter Andras said.

EUROPAfest Director Luigi Gageos announced that, so far, musicians from 14 countries have confirmed their participation in the festival: Italy, France, the US, Israel, Canada, Austria, Germany, Ireland, Poland, Bulgaria, South Korea, Azerbaijan, Peru and Romania.

At the end of the evening, two young soloists performed a micro-recital with two pieces by Johann Sebastian Bach and Astor Piazzolla.

The event was also attended by supporters and partners of the EUROPAfest international music festival, members of the Diplomatic Corps, representatives of civil society, volunteers.

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EUROPAfest will take place from 3 to 11 July and, as every year, will bring together leading names in jazz, blues, pop and classical music from dozens of countries.

Founded 33 years ago, EUROPAfest is an important annual musical event in Romania. It takes place under the High Patronage of Her Majesty the Custodian of the Crown and of HRH Prince Radu, starting from 2005, and since 2015 it has been included on the list of Europe's Finest Festivals (EFFE).

Twenty years after receiving the High Patronage of the Romanian Royal House, the EUROPAfest festival was honored with the 'Custodian of the Romanian Crown' Medal. The distinction was awarded to Luigi Gageos during a ceremony at the Peles Castle for the constant promotion of quality music. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Daniel Popescu; EN - writing by: Rodica State)