MAGNIFICENT Bridges of light Concert-Performance for the UN World Interfaith Harmony Week (WIHW) Eastern European Forum for Dialogue- Bridges Association once again celebrated the UN World Interfaith Harmony Week (WIHW) in an extraordinary way. The aim of the week is to highlight “the imperative need for dialogue between different faiths and religions and to achieve understanding and cooperation between people.” The MAGNIFICENT Bridges of Light performance took place on February 17th at the city’s Military Club, beneath the majestic arches of the iconic Baroque Concert Hall. The event was held under the honorary patronage and partnership of H.E. Mrs. Andrea Ikić-Böhm, Ambassador of the Republic of Austria, with special guest H.E. Prince Boris Saxe-Coburg-Gotha. Mr. Eric Roux, Chair of the Global Council of United Religions Initiative (URI), also attended as special guest to support both the Bridges and the young people of Bulgaria. The Baroque-inspired performance transported the audience into a world of grace and harmony. Invisible threads of light connected diverse art forms, as over 50 young performers from six different religious traditions came together on stage. Through the universal language of art, they conveyed messages of peace, understanding, and love. The performance was expertly hosted by Silvia Trifonova and Dimitar Borumov, prominent youth leaders within the organization. BRIDGES Chair, Mrs. Angelina Vladikova, warmly welcomed the dignitaries and guests. She emphasized that for years, the organization has stood as a beacon of interfaith dialogue and youth education in tolerance. With concerts like this one, BRIDGES aims “”how much beauty there is in our diversity and what a constructive force our unity, the ability to unite beyond differences brings.” H.E. Andrea Ikić-Böhm expressed her joy at the Embassy of the Republic of Austria’s partnership with the event, addressing the audience in Bulgarian. She highlighted that “Intercultural dialogue is one of the priorities of the Embassy of Austria and we are happy to be a patron and partner of the show “Magnificent Bridges of Light” and to celebrate the United Nations Interfaith Harmony and Tolerance Week in Sofia together.” His Royal Highness Prince Boris Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, in his Bulgarian greeting, shared his happiness about having participated in the association’s events throughout the year and becoming a natural part of the team. “I am very happy to be here with you today and to see the work of the BRIDGES talents. Almost a year ago I came to present them with the first Abdullah II Award. Over the past year, I have witnessed the growth and impact the association has had on the community and I can’t wait to see what we will do together. ” Mr. Eric Roux, Chair of the URI Global Council, expressed his delight in being invited and attending the event in person. “At URI, we are very proud of the work of Bridges, one of our shining Cooperation Circles. Not only because last year they have won the first Prize of the UN Interfaith Harmony Week, but because of the fantastic work they do by engaging the younger generation in a truly genuine interfaith cooperation. And when the younger generation sets the good example as they do here, then comes the real hope for a better future for all.” The “Magnificent Bridges of Light” concert uses music and art as an universal language capable of uniting people of different cultures and religious beliefs. The Baroque vision of the performance naturally transported the audience into a world of elegance and harmony. In the specially prepared programme, 17 different outstanding performances bridged the different genres of art – music, dance, painting, theatre. More than 50 young participants, from 4 cities of Bulgaria and 6 different religious traditions, captivated the audience not only with their talents, but also with their willingness to go beyond the limitations of their own beliefs and religion and set an example of interfaith and intercultural dialogue. The programme of the “Magnificent Bridges of light” was thematically constructed in two parts – classical performances in the first part; a kind of intermission to the sounds of Johann Strauss’ waltz “Voices of Spring” and the second part – combinations of jazz performances, original songs, a theatre play and gospel songs. The programme began with the First Movement of the Symphonie Concertante for viola, double bass and orchestra by Carl Dittersdorf ; followed by the Concerto for harpsichord No. 1 in D minor, First Movement (arrangement for two marimbas and piano), Johann Sebastian Bach and the Concerto for four harpsichords in C minor, First Movement (arrangement for two marimbas), Johann Sebastian Bach. Then it was the turn of the Aaria by Domenico Scarlatti-“Qual farfalletta amante”. The Armenian community presented the dance “Bingöl” and the beautiful song “Havatum em”. The second part began with the presentation of an exhibition of awarded works of children from Tervel and Aytos, continued with beautiful jazz performances of “The Good life”, the original songs “Snowflakes in April” and “Shot of Memories”, followed by a dance – “Duel between reason and emotions”, the original song “Tomorrow” and the jazz section ended with “Autum Nocturne”. Impressively presented performance – an excerpt from Kamen Zidarov’s play “Tsar Ivan Shishman”. Gospel renditions of “Not Us” and “Oh Happy Day” were the finishing touch to the evening’s incredibly rich program. The incredible talents of the young people lit up the stage and showed a true example of teamwork and collaboration. With few exceptions, they are all part of the Bridges CC youth community and are actively involved in various formats of the organisation. Soon, many of the participants will meet again to continue their work to build bridges of tolerance across their differences, this time in a different format – a three-day “Ecology of the Soul” learning weekend. The event was graced by over 300 attendees, including representatives of various religious communities, former ambassadors, members of parliament, and representatives from ministries and government institutions. 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