Long Island Youth Orchestra in Tbilisi
On July 19th 2007, the Long Island Youth Orchestra arrived in Tbilisi as a part of a five country tour which included Bulgaria, Ukraine, Greece, Georgia, and Turkey. The group’s visit was organized Tbilisi Rotary club and city municipality and with the support of U.S. embassy in Tbilisi.
Long island youth orchestra who brought 82 members on their tour in Georgia for 4 days, days and stayed with host families while in Tbilisi, giving them the opportunity to learn about and experience Georgian culture firsthand. During their stay in Georgia the group held small concerts at several places including Gudushauri hospital and Digomi children orphanage house also they toured Tbilisi, historical sites such as Svetitskhoveli and Jvari monastery. The group noted the abundance of churches in the city, as noted by Joseph Albanese - “I have never been in so many churches for my entire life”.
On July 21st the orchestra had their official tour, concert in “Music and Comedy” theatre, Tbilisi. The event was attended by delegation from China embassy and U.S. embassy. In addition to the many Georgian citizens who came out to enjoy the concert. Everybody present thoroughly enjoyed the performance put on by the talented young musicians, and as Embassy Officer Rowena Cross-Najafi states
- “It was a great exchange of cultures and the concert was very good as well.”
Long Island Youth Orchestra left Georgia on July 23, early in the morning and continued their tour in Turkey, Istanbul. |