BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA: LUCIANO PAVAROTTI OPENS HIS 3.5 MILLION POUND MUSIC THERAPY CENTRE

Record ID: 387359

  • Title: BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA: LUCIANO PAVAROTTI OPENS HIS 3.5 MILLION POUND MUSIC THERAPY CENTRE
  • Date: 21st December 1997
  • Summary: CHILDREN SINGING FOR PAVAROTTI/ ORCHESTRA/ BIANCA JAGGER
  • Embargoed: 5th January 1998 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: MOSTAR, BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA/ FILE
  • Country: Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • Topics: Entertainment
  • Reuters ID: LVAC0P4DKUO8AMQ4EK2Z9ZEFOJTJ
  • Story Text: - World famous Italian tenor Luciano Pavarotti gave the people of Bosnia a huge Christmas present on Sunday (December 21) - a 3.5 million pound (sterling) music therapy centre dedicated to helping those traumatised during the war.

    Pavarotti was flown into the eastern Moslem-populated part of Mostar by military helicopter to open the centre, accompanied by Bono from Irish rock band U2 and Italian singer Zucchero.

    A number of dignitaries attended the dedication service, including all Bosnia-Herzegovina's three presidents, Alija Izetbegovic, Kresimir Zubak and Momcilo Krajisnik.

    Pavarotti looked on in delight and Bono clapped in time as small children sang carefully rehearsed tunes and waved balloons.

    The music centre is a project of the British charity, War Child. The organisation provides medical supplies and food aid to the people of Bosnia as well promoting healing through music in its music therapy workshops.

    Pavarotti staged two star-studded concerts in his home town of Modena in 1995 and 1996, the first of which was attended by Diana, Princess of Wales, to raise money for the cause.

    A charity album titled "Help", released in 1995, also raised over one million pounds for War Child. A large chunk of the funds went to the costs of the music centre.

    The Mostar music centre will provide music therapy for the traumatised young survivors of Bosnia's war.

    Initially, War Child wanted to base the musical centre in the Bosnian capital of Sarajevo, but authorities in Mostar were more helpful in finding space and facilities.
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