Sofia’s ‘Magnificent Bridges of Light’ Concert Celebrates Interfaith Unity
SOFIA, BULGARIA—In a vibrant display of cultural harmony, the Magnificent Bridges of Light concert took place on February 17 at Sofia’s historic Military Club. Held in the grand Baroque Concert Hall, the event honored the annual United Nations World Interfaith Harmony Week (WIHW), an initiative dedicated to fostering dialogue among religious traditions.
Led under the honorary patronage of H.E. Mrs. Andrea Ikić-Böhm, Austrian Ambassador to Bulgaria, and graced by the presence of H.E. Prince Boris Saxe-Coburg-Gotha of Bulgaria, the concert exemplified the power of artistic expression in promoting interfaith understanding. Among the distinguished attendees was Eric Roux, Chair of the Global Council of the PLACEHOLDER5df72807d3b57f1c, who was present to support PLACEHOLDER9bb0f6a9efce7b90, a URI Cooperation Circle, and the young performers representing diverse faith communities.
The evening’s program featured over 50 young artists from six religious traditions, blending music, dance, and theatrical performances to convey messages of peace and unity. Hosted by youth leaders Silvia Trifonova and Dimitar Borumov, the event underscored the unifying beauty of cultural diversity.
A Celebration of Diversity and Cooperation
Angelina Vladikova, Chair of BRIDGES and URI Europe CC Liaison Officer, welcomed the guests and dignitaries, reaffirming the organization’s commitment to interfaith engagement. “Through concerts like this, BRIDGES seeks to highlight the beauty of our diversity and the profound strength found in unity,” she stated.
Speaking in Bulgarian, Ambassador Ikić-Böhm emphasized Austria’s dedication to intercultural dialogue. “This concert embodies one of the key priorities of the Austrian Embassy—building intercultural connections. We are honored to support Magnificent Bridges of Light and celebrate UN Interfaith Harmony Week in Sofia together,” she expressed.
Recognizing the Impact of BRIDGES
Prince Boris Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, who has been closely engaged with BRIDGES, reflected on its contribution to the community. “It is a pleasure to witness the talents of BRIDGES once again. Nearly a year ago, I had the honor of presenting them with the first Abdullah II Award. Over the past year, I have seen their remarkable growth and impact, and I look forward to what we will achieve together,” he shared.
Echoing this sentiment, Eric Roux praised BRIDGES for fostering interfaith collaboration. “URI is immensely proud of BRIDGES, one of our most inspiring Cooperation Circles. Their success in winning the first prize of the UN Interfaith Harmony Week last year is a testament to the incredible work they do in engaging young people in meaningful interfaith cooperation. When the younger generation leads by example, we can truly hope for a brighter future,” he remarked.
A Growing Legacy of Interfaith Harmony
With more than 300 attendees, including ambassadors, parliament members, government officials, and religious leaders, the event reinforced BRIDGES’ growing influence in the interfaith community. Building on the success of their 2024 Gift of Love concert—which earned the prestigious first prize of the World Interfaith Harmony Week awarded by King Abdullah II of Jordan—BRIDGES has announced plans to apply for the award again, further solidifying their commitment to fostering unity through artistic expression.
The Magnificent Bridges of Light concert was not only a cultural celebration but also a powerful reminder that diversity, when embraced, can be a force for peace, understanding, and a more connected world.
Leave a Reply