Eufonia 2009: Luthierie competition

DoubleBase, a Belgian company helping to develop projects to preserve skills and crafts in new Member States of the European Union, launched on 8 January Eufonia 2009 – A Competition for Stringed Instruments. The project, supported by the Municipality of Sofia (Bulgaria), Espace Formation (Belgium) and Fundatia Art Production (Romania), with the kind patronage of European Commissioner Meglena Kuneva, is meant to be a celebration of the craft of making stringed instruments by hand and is divided into three parts.

For the first time on a Pan_European level, both professionals and students of luthierie will participate in a competition to find the makers of the best four stringed bowed instruments – violin, viola, cello and doublebass. The aim of the competition is to stimulate and preserve the ancient craft of instrument-making, to encourage and develop potential new entrants into the profession and to provide training opportunities for young students wishing to take up a career in this skilled area of our common European cultural heritage. In addition, the best instruments in each category will be played in concerts across Europe.

All those interested are welcome to take part in the project, both as competitors in the luthierie competition and as hosts to one of the concerts which will follow. Moreover, schools of luthierie all around Europe may be interested in becoming partners for Bulgaria and Romania in their subsequent efforts to establish a training facility for the Western Balkans, while private sector/benevolent foundations dedicated to music are welcome to provide sponsorship for the event.

For more information and to know how to apply, please visit www.bouble-base.com.

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