Beats and Beethoven - Classical music frees ghetto children from poverty

 

Highly successful and unique in Europe, this extraordinary project shows Roma children and their families a way out of poverty - with the help of classical music. It was founded by the Roma musician Georgi Kalaidjiev, one of the best violinists in the world. Kalaidjiev played with the "Sofia Soloists" at Carnegie-Hall New York, Royal Albert Hall London, Opera House Sydney, Leipzig Gewandhaus... He worked with Nigel Kennedy and Ennio Morricone. When he visited the Romaghetto in his hometown Sliwen eight years ago, the hopelessness of the children there shocked him so much that he decided to help. He founded a music school where today 30 children receive classical music lessons. His experience: "The encounter with Mozart, Bach and Beethoven changes the children. Their success also changes the parents." Six eleven have already made it to the best music grammar schools in the country. For the first time in Europe, violinists can dream of becoming violinists on Roma girls. But the students still have to rehearse in a converted garage because neither the city nor the Bulgarian government supports the project. 200 children from the ghetto are on the registration list. The project would like to rehabilitate the empty ruins of the former biblical library of the district. Help is urgently needed!