Exhibitions

A collection of works by the scholars of the Margaret of Romania Royal Foundation, 2023 edition

The 15th generation of talented young Romanian artists, 15 musicians and 15 visual artists, mark the end of their scholarship year with a collection of visual artworks exhibited at the "I.L. Caragiale" National Theatre in Bucharest from November 18 to December 18, 2023. This year, 30 talented young people at the beginning of their careers were supported to develop through the national program Young Talents, run by the Margaret of Romania Royal Foundation, through a scholarship of 2,000 euros, mentoring sessions and intergenerational masterclass internships, as well as opportunities to promote their artistic talent at events organized by the Foundation and project partners.

This year, the Visual Arts Exhibition of talented visual artists, hosted by the National Theatre in Bucharest, partner of the event, is open to the public for one month, starting on Saturday, November 18, 2023. It includes relevant works from the individual projects of the Young Talents scholars, made in 2023 with materials purchased from the grant, as well as selections of works from the joint projects: the exhibitions Life Diary, Passions and Concerns of the Royal Family Members over Time and History Exercises in Balchik. The three exhibitions were organized under the guidance of the mentors of the program - Prof. Carmen Apetrei and Prof. Ion Anghel, and throughout 2023 they were held in unconventional spaces, such as at the Museum of Bucharest - Filipescu-Cesianu House, in the open air, along 35 meters of pavement or in the rotunda of the Romanian Athenaeum.

"The exhibition of the scholars of the Young Talents program found its resources in the concerns and passions of the members of the Royal Family over the years, as well as in the scholars' own artistic work/discourse. We can also refer to the word concern in the sense of "caring", which perhaps best sums up the closeness and dedication to others, but also the fact that a passion shared with others becomes a means that provides us with a connection and an unmediated communication. In this sense, I believe that the young scholars have found an enlightening illustration of dedication and generosity through this support offered within the framework of the project carried out by the Royal Margaret of Romania Foundation and which complements the support received from their families and the art education institutions where they are trained.

I appreciate both the scholars' progress throughout this year and the support offered by the program's coordinating team, whose activity fully expresses values and attitudes, such as professionalism, involvement, empathy, aspects that we need to remember and promote more often in Romanian society", says Prof. Carmen Apetrei, Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts, mentor in the Young Talents program.

"History exercises. It seems that where we are born is a matter of destiny. It's not our choice. But once we come to earth, each of us has a great moral responsibility to those who gave us life, and to the place where we first saw the light. Moreover, there are people who love beyond borders, opening their hearts to their fellow men and women. This is how Balchik appears to us through the lens of its history, which Queen Mary has so intelligently crafted. This emotional thrill has remained unchanged over time, only times and people have changed.

In the action that took place this summer in Balchik, the young people, encouraged by this Royal Foundation project, carried out a kind of visual and sentimental archaeology on the white-washed landscapes. The results of the scholars lie beyond the images they have created, which is why they need to be understood and not just looked at. They were guided to feel, to discover, to see things inaccessible to mere passers-by, to linger with the peace of mind of the Queen of old, to bring back to contemporary audiences that vanishing state of mind. We need landmarks!", says Prof. Ion Anghel, UNARTE, mentor in the Young Talents program.

At the end of the Young Talents scholarship year, the Royal Foundation organizes the Young Talents Gala - an event dedicated to the scholars, who come before the public to showcase their creations, their individual and joint artistic projects, the progress they have made through their participation in the Foundation's program.

The concert performed by the music scholars will take place on Monday, November 20, 2023, at the National Theatre in Bucharest, in the presence of Her Royal Highness Princess Sofia, and will feature songs from famous films, reinterpreted in classical style, with a musical program prepared under the guidance of the mentor of the program, Prof. Verona Maier, pianist, pro-rector of the National University of Music in Bucharest.

Recognized four times as the best Art and Culture program in Romania at the Civil Society Gala, the national Young Talents program creates equal opportunities for aspiring artists, giving them the chance to develop their potential, express their talent and fulfill their dream, regardless of their social background.

Partner: Kaufland Romania

Sponsors: B&B Collection - Kultho, PPG Romania - Oskar, Dedeman, PEPCO Retail, Enayati Medical City, Ferrero Romania, PSC Group, Dove Romania, Casa Siqua, Easy Print Services, Foto Experience, Emotion Philms Production

Media partners in 2023: Europa FM, TVR, TVR Cultural, Radio România Muzical, Radio România Cultural, Radio România Actualități, Radio Trinitas, RFI România, Agerpres, Forbes, Forbes Life, Historia, Zile și Nopți, Revista BIZ, Haute Culture, the daily diplomatic newspaper Nine O’Clock, The Institute, The Diplomat, CARIERE magazine, Cultura magazine, Phoenix Media, Insight TAROM, IQads, SMARK, Societatea Muzicală, Radio Clasic, Zenith Media, mediaTRUST Romania

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Young Talent Program

Many talented children come from families whose financial possibilities do not allow them to pursue their talent. So every year Romania loses dozens of talented young people who could otherwise become cultural ambassadors. The national program Young Talents, developed by the Margaret of Romania Royal Foundation, was launched in 2009 with the aim of supporting and promoting talented young artists from low-income families who need financial support to reach their true potential and express their talent. What differentiates the Young Talent program from other projects offering scholarships is its holistic approach, focused on the development and affirmation of these aspiring artists. In addition to financial support, young people receive valuable mentoring, training through masterclasses and have valuable promotional opportunities, all of which create a platform to launch their artistic careers. So far, 410 scholarships have been awarded to talented young people at the beginning of their careers, studying music or visual arts in high schools and universities in Romania, helping them to overcome their financial difficulties and continue to express their artistic value. In support of the scholarship holders, 128 recitals and concerts, 82 exhibitions, 126 mentoring or masterclass sessions were organized. Over the years, €1.9 million has been invested in Romania's artistic future. More details are available on www.tinteretalente.org.

The national program Young Talents is supported by partners and sponsors, but also by donations made by SMS to 8864 with the text ARTĂ, through which the public can donate 4 Euro per month, thus supporting scholarships for talented young people in Romania.

Translated by Andreea Codrea-Boeriu