This year's edition of the Royal Charity Concert took place last night at the Romanian Athenaeum, and the money collected from ticket sales will provide the necessary funds for the national program "Young Talents", intended for musicians and artists from poor families.

The event was opened by Princess Margareta, the custodian of the Crown, RRA reporter Ancuta Cocoroveanu transmitted.

Princess Margareta: This is the meaning of the project, we are looking for money, mentors. It's important not to lose hope, we have to give them a good life and a chance - I think that's the most important thing.

Verona Maier, pianist, but especially, yesterday evening, mentor of the 'Young talents' program.

Verona Maier: Through the "Young talents" program, the Royal Foundation is doing a huge service to people about whom I am convinced that, as we hear about some of them tonight on the stage of the Athenaeum, we will be hearing about them for many years to come. Each year there are 15 musicians or more, depending on the amount raised. Next to me I have one of the young people from the program, but above all I have a very dear former student, the guitarist Ioan Banescu, who does a lot for contemporary Romanian music.

Ioan Banescu: I started in the first grade with the violin, and in the fifth grade I made the transition to the guitar at the "Dinu Lipatti" College of Arts and since then I've been playing the guitar for almost 13 years, if I'm doing the math correctly. The great dream that I have fulfilled is that of singing in front of the public.

Translated by: Radu Matei

SOURCE: Radio România Actualități