Ensemble Patara Georgika under Berlin festival spotlight
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An award-winning Georgian troupe of young folk performers is among dozens of national bands participating in a celebrated festival of choir music in Berlin.
The ensemble Patara Georgika was invited by an international jury to showcase their folklore music skills in the Grand Prix of Nations, running from February 1-5 at the German capital’s Philharmonic Hall.
The young singers of the ensemble have been performing in the occasion among 30 popular international bands from 15 countries, including Berlin Radio Choir and Female Choir ATBALSS of Latvia.
Young performers of the Patara Georgika ensemble rehearse at the Berlin Philharmonic Hall. Photo: Grand Prix of Nations/Facebook.
Led by conductor Nino Kumsishvili, the folklore group’s repertoire at the occasion has included Georgian Easter carols as well as folk songs from regions of the country.
Beside performing in the Folklore section of the festival on Thursday, the ensemble also joined groups from China, Russia, Finland and Norway for a special Friendship Concert earlier today.
Founded in 2011, Patara Georgika includes children and teenagers aged 6-15.
The Berlin occasion features celebrated ensembles including the Berlin Radio Choir. Photo: Peter Adamik.
The group has been recognised with prizes at international occasions including the principal award of the 2015 Place of Holiday contest in Lloret de Mar, Spain and second prize of the 2013 International Youth Festival-contest of Arts Muzite in Bulgaria.
The ensemble was selected to feature at the Grand Prix of Nations after impressing judges in Open Competition, an occasion organised by Interkultur network of choral music events earlier this year.
Female Choir ATBALSS of Latvia's Liepaja University is also part of the Berlin occasion. Photo: Grand Prix of Nations.
Launched in 2015, the inaugural Grand Prix of Nations was held in central German city Magdeburg.
Participants featured at this year’s festival are judged by a jury of seven artistic directors and musical artists from across Europe.
See the full program of the Grand Prix of Nations here.
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