A Concert Celebrating the UN World Interfaith Harmony Week (WIHW)
By Angelina Vladikova
On February 21, 2026, the concert “Bridges of Harmony” was held at the Royal Palace “Vrana” in Sofia, Bulgaria. The Eastern European Forum for Dialogue Bridges association marked the United Nations World Interfaith Harmony Week (WIHW) with distinction. The Week aims to promote dialogue and highlight “the imperative need for dialogue among different religions to achieve understanding and cooperation among people.”
Bridges of Harmony was organized in partnership with Palace “Vrana” and the Tsar Boris and Queen Goanna Foundation, with support from the Embassy of the Republic of Austria in Sofia.
His Very Reverend Archimandrite of the Ecumenical Throne, Father Haralampi (Nichev), attended the event. Among the official guests were H.E. Mehmet Sait Uyanık, Ambassador of Turkey; H.E. Dai Qingli, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China; and representatives of various religious communities, ministries, public figures, partners, and friends of Bridges.
The concert embodied the principles of interfaith dialogue through music’s universal language. Harmony was presented as both a musical concept and a metaphor for coexistence, where different traditions and identities maintain their integrity while contributing to a common whole.
The program featured music, classical works, poetry, and traditional dance from the Orthodox Christian, Catholic, Jewish, Muslim, and Armenian traditions. Children and young people from the BRIDGES community played a significant role in the event, appearing not only as performers but as carriers of a shared future grounded in dialogue, respect, and mutual understanding. Their presence in Palace “Vrana” symbolized the organization’s mission and vision of a society based on peaceful coexistence.
During the official welcome in the foyer, Aleksandrina Kushincharova with her arfa created an atmosphere of solemnity and continuity.
The program opened with Orthodox chants “Our Father,” “Tebe Poem,” and “Rejoice, O Virgin Theotokos!” performed by students of the Sofia Theological Seminary “St. John of Rila,” directed by Stoyan Malinov.
The hosts, Silvia Trifonova and Ahmed Gorelski, distinguished youth leaders and representatives of the Orthodox and Muslim communities respectively, naturally reflected the spirit of interfaith dialogue. They expressed gratitude to the respective religious community for its partnership and support after each performance.
His Royal Highness Prince Boris Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, as host and BRIDGES board member, welcomed guests and expressed satisfaction that the World Interfaith Harmony Week concert was held at the Royal Palace “Vrana.” He highlighted the importance of the partnership with the “Tsar Boris and Queen Goanna Foundation” and thanked Dr. Ivaylo Shalafov for his support.
Chair of Bridges Association, Angelina Vladikova, thanked the Royal Family for their hospitality, emphasizing “the deep symbolism of holding a concert dedicated to interfaith dialogue where two chapels, Orthodox and Catholic, coexist. This space embodies the words of Pope John Paul II that Christianity must breathe with both lungs – the East and the West.”
She briefly highlighted the organization’s long-standing work, its experience working with young people and promoting interfaith dialogue in Bulgaria, mentioning interfaith youth camps, Bridges’ presence in the URI (United Religions Initiative), the Anna Lindh Foundation’s dialogue network, and the PARTESS-COM European project.
On behalf of the Embassy of Austria, Aneta Genkova delivered greetings, conveying a message from H.E. Andrea Ikic-Böhm, who expressed joy at the sustainable partnership and the importance of dialogue, emphasizing satisfaction that another high-level event was held in Sofia for Interfaith Harmony Week. A readiness to continue cooperation with the Austrian Embassy and Cultural Forum was also expressed.
The musical program continued with a piano quartet from the National Music School “Lyubomir Pipkov,” performing Mozart’s Piano Quartet in E-flat major, Part I, marking a significant anniversary related to the composer.
Followed by “Ave Maria” by Giulio Caccini, performed by Yoanna Baruch from the Jewish community, accompanied on piano by Yana Stoyanova.
The percussion duo Agleya Kaneva and Alexander Vichev performed marimba works by Bach, Rachmaninoff,
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