November 15, 2006 - Revista de Buen Gobierno - By Bruce MacMaster
An apparently cultural event could be at heart a high social-content event. Such is the case of the Cartagena - I International Music Festival, organized by the Victor Salvi Foundation.
The decision to make of Cartagena the world’s international music center during the second week of January each year is not only a matter of pride for all Colombians, but it brings along many social benefits.
The Festival will take place next year between January 6th and January 13th, and is an unprecedented event in Latin America. Renowned orchestras and world-class artists will gather in Cartagena during these days. Their purpose - To be part of the world’s most important classic music festival during this time of the year.
There will not only be free concerts open to the general public during these days, but most important of all, great musicians will give master classes and workshops to gifted and talented Colombian young children, teachers, journalists, and music tutors in general. Furthermore, there will also be free concerts in the city’s best venues that can be attended by any one who gets there and wishes to listen to some of the best musicians of today.
No one can deny – although we have to acknowledge that it is difficult to measure – the social benefit received when you have access to the culture of the world. Nevertheless, the implicit benefit in bringing great masters to teach and international critics to share experiences with our own critics, as well as in providing free outdoor concerts, is extraordinary.
If we also take into account the kind of exposure that this type of events brings to Colombia and to Cartagena, as well as the employment that it generates, the sales of the hotel sector and tourism in general, or simply the economic boom around it, we are truly in a condition to assess the real impact of this initiative.
In order to give us an idea of the Festival’s scope we can mention that its artistic director is Master Charles Wadsworth, founding director of the Lincoln Center Chamber Music Society and director of the Spoleto Music Festival. In its first version are also included the chamber orchestra ‘I Musici de Montréal’, violinist Chee-Yun, cellist Andres Diaz, as well as pianist Wendy. Chen.
There will be 8 evening concerts at the Heredia theatre and the chapels of Santa Clara and Santa Teresa, four day chamber music concerts in the church of Santo Toribio, six concerts and workshops and, finally, four free outdoor concerts in the Plaza San Pedro. Eight days of the best music with the best interpreters.
The selection of Cartagena among all Latin-American cities is the best news for Colombia. In spite of the many literature, film, and Caribbean music festivals that are carried out there, or of being the homeland of many great artists, the truth is that competition for the other great cities must have been very hard. Nevertheless, given this Festival’s social character, Colombia, and specifically Cartagena, offers one of the best opportunities to develop social programs and support its development from this initiative. It can even be the case that Cartagena is not the base, but the city that is most in need and that could benefit more from this beautiful festival.
Salvi Foundation’s decision to carry out this festival is worthy of admiration and praise and of all our support, for organizing it in our Caribbean piece of jewellery: Cartagena.
For all the aforementioned reasons, this Festival constitutes an unparalleled opportunity to carry out social responsibility policies that combine a valuable cultural event with the possibility of levering in the Festival to disclose our company / corporate policies.
