PRO ART & Co - Past Projects

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Past Projects Click on the titles of the events, or click on the mini picture next to the events below to see the corresponding galleries.You can also view an entire year's worth of event galleries by clicking on the year subtitles below. Alternatively, visit our Gallery to see all of our event galleries. 2010 *9 June, Synthesis* concert - at The Rich Mix, 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, London E1 6LA Click here to see the flyer. 25 June, Lovers of Rumi "The Song of the Reed" concert - at the University Women's Club, 2 Audley Square, London W1K 1DB The performance included and poems by Rumi, Pablo Neruda, Kabir, Khalil Gibran and Rilke. The music included improvisations tabla and piano. 14 May, Lovers of Rumi "Songs from the Invisible" concert - at the University Women's Club, 2 Audley Square, London W1K 1DB This was the first Lovers of Rumi concert of the season. The performance starred cellist Uta Schlichtig and included poems by Rumi and Rilke music by Gurdjieff, Bach and Scriabin. 13 February, Georgia - A country of Ancient Writing exhibition - at the Scotland-Russia Institute, 9 South College Street, Edinburgh, EH8 9AA. The exhibition was opened by Irina Dakhundaridze, Counsellor at the Embassy of Georgia. The Edinburgh Georgian choir gave a short recital, and Georgian wine was served for a thoroughly authentic experience. Georgian is one of the oldest written languages in the world, and the country possesses an ancient literary tradition. This exhibition traces the history of Georgian scripts from their legendary beginnings in the reign of King Parnavaz in the 4th century BC to the version of the written language first seen in the 10th century AD and still in use today. The exhibition consists of full-colour images of manuscripts, in themselves objects of beauty, often splendidly illustrated. The Exhibition explores various aspects of life and allows distinguishing Georgia’s long history through the photographic Art. The wealth of content is illustrated by many series of photographs (25 photos) taken in Georgia by the author of the exhibition Mr. David Tkemaladze. The photos are from the private collection of Mr. Tkemaladze who generously exhibits them in Georgia and out of the country. The Exhibition explores ancient writing materials and book types, the evolution of script and the role of sacred books in the spiritual life of Georgian Monasteries throughout Georgia and the world’s most significant Holy Places, such as St. Catherine’s and Mount Athos in Greece. It includes important ancient writings; illuminated Gospels and devotional manuscripts, as well as early period editions of classical texts. This is a journey to the period when Georgia builds around it a set of connections through the highly delicate taste of Art and wisdom. 1-21 February, Traditional African Art exhibition - at the Chelsea Old Town Hall, Reference Library. This is a public exhibition about original traditional African art, masks, figurines and small objects, made by anonymous artists from various tribes across the continent and in different periods. They are arranged in group of objects presenting various aspects of tribal life, important in their daily routine and without commercial value. The topics are: ancestors, fertility, marriages, warriors, nature (animals and plants). The curator will give a talk about African art and tribal life with a discussion and story-telling for children and adults, and on presented topics; entrance free. This Collection belongs to the New World International charity organisation, and this exhibition is curated by Dante Montagnani and our own Vesna Petkovic. 2009 10 October - 10 November, The Second Eastern European Jazz Festival** - at the Jazz Cafe Posk, Polish Cultural Centre, Hammersmith, W6 Click to download the programme and press release for this event. 23 June, The Journey - A Concert to Celebrate Sir Nicholas Winton's 100th Birthday - at Lauderdale House, Waterlow Park, Highgate Hill. Feel free to download the full programme. 14 May, Beyond Belief and Disbelief recital - at Grosvenor Chapel, London. Lovers of Rumi and Manikam Yogeswaran with Tamil musicians all feature in this recital including poems by Rumi, music by Bach, Scriabin, as well as improvisations. Readers: Azima Melita Kolin, Gina Landor, AnnMarie Terry, Kim Richardson, Manikam Yogeswaran. In 1997, inspired by the poetry of the 13th century Sufi mystic poet Jelaludin Rumi, Azima Melita Kolin began a series of concert-readings, combining his poems and stories with classical music. For the past nine years, she and a group of six readers have given many concerts in Europe and England including London’s Queen Elizabeth Hall. They have also performed in collaboration with Persian and Indian musicians and, more recently, with Sri-Lankan Karnatic singer Manickam Yogeswaran. They have created a form in which words and music are woven into a tapestry on different themes. Rumi's timeless wisdom and message of love transcend the limitations of language, the boundaries of time, speaking directly to the heart. Rumi's words are a guiding light on the path of the future.Since 1997 the Lovers of Rumi have given over 200 concerts in Britain, Germany, Spain and US. In the last years Maryam Mafi and Azima Melita Kolin have translated three books of Rumi’s poems: Whispers of the Beloved, Hidden Music and Gardens of the Beloved, all published by Thorntons Harper Collins. Feel free to download the press release for this event. *5-18 May, Splendour Perfected: Cambridge* exhibition tour** - at Jesus College, Cambridge University, Jesus Lane, Cambridge. 16 April, Pro Art & Co AGM - at the Whitechapel Gallery. 2-7 March, Armenia - Land of Culture exhibition - at The Royal Geographical Society, London. This exhibition of photographs shows Armenia and its cultural heritage. Armenia was one of the countries of the famous Silk Road, which accommodated trade and cultural exchange even before our era. Armenia became the first nation to adopt Christianity in 301 AD as a state religion. Christian iconography came to play a very important role in Armenian art and architecture, and its churches were built in distinctive style. The carving of decorative stone monuments called khatchkars (cross stones) is an ancient form of Christian Armenian art and a characteristic part of the national heritage. Armenian cultural heritage is the best presented through written monuments deriving from as early as 405 AD, when the Armenian alphabet was created by a scholar monk Mesrop Mashtots, which helped to develop the Armenian language, literature and arts, allowing for the advancement of the art of the illuminated manuscripts. The exhibition presents a country with a millennia-long history and traditions, an excellent destination for cultural, religious, historical and adventure tourism. 4 March, Armenian Written Heritage - Alphabet & Manuscripts lecture - Education Centre at The Royal Geographical Society The Rev. Dr Vrej Nersessian (biography) Head of Christian and Middle East Section, British Library Carolyn Puzzovio (biography) Principle Lecturer, Faculty of Art, Architecture and Design, University of Lincoln Feel free to download the flyer and invitation to this event. *2 February - 12 April, Splendour Perfected: Edinburgh* exhibition tour 16 March - 12 April at Edinburgh Library, 2 McDonald Road, Edinburgh. 2 - 28 February** at the Scotland-Russia Forum, The Scotland-Russia Institute, 9 South College St, Edinburgh. 2008 25-30 November, Contact Seminar in Besançon, Searching for Partners Pro Art & Co applied for a grant to attend the Grundtvig/Comenius EU contact seminar in Besançon, France, in November 2008, seeking for partners whith whom we can start a new project based on the use of art and heritage in adult education. We found 9 partners, from the Czech Republic, Poland, France, Italy, Finland, Latvia, Lethonia, Spain, and Norway, and we consider ourselves lucky, because all our partners are from organisations working in a similar field and promoting an innovative method in adult education. We hope to proceed further with this project, so see its progress on it's project page here. *13 November, Presentation of current Pro Art projects* and the** Uzbekistan: In the Eyes of Children photographic exhibition and Introduction to the Discover the City of London project - at the Lighthouse. 8 November, The Baroque Ensemble "Transylvania" concert - at the Grosvenor Chapel, Mayfair. The Baroque Ensemble “Transylvania”, founded 1995, is mainly dedicated to indigenous baroque music and uses copies of historical instruments. The ensemble also plays contemporary Transylvanian music, and has interpreted several first performances of works by composers like Hans Peter Türk, Adrian Borza, Dan Voiculescu, Adrian Pop and Cornel Ţăranu. The Transylvania Baroque Ensemble’s activity is documented by its three CDs, one DVD as well as repeated radio and TV appearances and a busy schedule of concerts and tours (over 450 public performances). Apart from performances at national music festivals, the ensemble has performed at various events hosted by the Romanian Cultural Presidency and diplomatic missions, and conducted numerous tours abroad, to countries as Germany, The Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, Belgium, Hungary, Portugal and Moldova. It gave concerts on premises like the Concertgebouw Amsterdam and the Gasteig in Munich, and was a guest of the Landshuter Hofmusiktage festival of old music, Germany. The concert is part of Project BAROCCOCO, cofinanced by Ministry of Culture and Religious Affairs of Romania through Programme PROMOCULT-2008. Feel free to download the flyer and programme for this event. *25 October - 21 November, Splendour Perfected: Coventry* exhibition tour - at Coventry Transport Museum, Millenium Place, Hale Street, Coventry. 15 October, Celebration Africa! recital - at the Tabernacle, Notting Hill Gate. Feel free to download the flyer and leaflet for this event. 3-7 October, Uzbekistan: In the Eyes of Children photographic exhibition - at the Royal College of Art. Feel free to download the invitation to this event. 20 September, The Diesel Orchestra LIVE at the Jazz Cafe - at the Polish Cultural Centre, W6. Nikola Kodjabashia is one of the most intriguing contemporary R&B, electronica, classical composers from the Balkans. His work offers original combinations of contemporary technology with jazz and spiritual Byzantine music, something in the range of Philip Glass, Michael Nyman and Arvo Part. The Diesel Orchestra is a partnership of likeminded, inspirational musicians whose aim is to create and play music for their pleasure as well as for their highly appreciative audience. This concert is for the promotion of their CD, THE MOST OF NOW, which has had excellent media reviews (click to download the press release). They will play as one of the participants in the First East European Jazz Festival (click to download the programme), organised by Jazz Café Posk and its music doyen Mark Greliak and Vesna Petkovic from Pro Art & Co. Reviews and Biography can be downloaded here. 17-25 August, Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2008 - 2 musical performances: "Celebration Africa!" and "A Gypsy Prayer for the South"** - at C Venue 54, Carlton Hotel, North Bridge, Edinburgh. 1. Celebration Africa! - A recital based on African cultural heritage, which involved mainly African performers presenting their traditional singing in original dialects, selection of Negro spirituals, African classical and popular songs, black poetry reading and mysterious African drumming. Its aim was to introduce a more sophisticated African culture and involve the audience in the performance. Josephine Amankwah starred in the show. Feel free to download the press release for this event. Click here to see our promotional videos, in the Old Videos section! 2. A Gypsy Prayer for the South - A theatre performance of a Shakespearian-style love story, the original Gypsy musical, presenting one of the culturally most isolated groups; it focused on traditional Roma culture, in opposition with modern life and challenges which the community faces in their struggle to preserve their identity and develop with time. Zoran Tairovic composed the show. Feel free to download the press release for this event. Click here to see our promotional videos, in the Old Videos section! Three Weeks - Edinburgh Fringe Festival REVIEW A Gypsy Prayer For The South (Pro Art & Co) Sometimes it's easy to forget how international the Fringe really is when you succumb to the temptation of only seeing English-speaking performances. 'A Gypsy Prayer For The South', the first Gypsy opera-musical from the Balkans, could be a way of jolting you out of this Anglo-centricity, as the cast combine dance, music and singing to give the audience a real feel of the traditional Roma culture. Though only about half of the performance was in English, it is a testimony to the brilliant acting that the audience could understand the story and emotions of the characters despite the language barrier. With stunning voices and brilliant costumes, this is a brilliant opera-musical from a vibrantly different culture. C central 54 , 17 - 25 Aug, 3.30pm (4.30pm), prices vary, fpp 172. tw rating 4/5. Information on both productions also available in the Fringe Festival Programme in the Music section. Feel free to download the flyers for these events. *12 June, Mira Popovic at the Serbian Society* in association with Pro Art - at the Serbian Society, 33-35 Dawes Road, London, SW6 7DT. Mira bravely tackled one of the most published themes, ourselves, our personal doubts and hesitations, self-denying life challenges which prevent our inner dialogue and us to take the right course in life, so we sigh and blame our bad luck. A common denominator of these stories is “excess luggage” which we all carry throughout our lives unable to leave or give away. This Pandora’s box contains memories, feelings, sentiments and challenges, sometimes sad, sorrowful and sometimes blissful and happy. This is usually a heavy burden and every now and then we declare that our excess luggage will not be anymore. But in reality, we hang on to it until our last breath leaves us, hopeful that one day we shall find in it a forgotten clue which will solve all our problems and we shall live happy ever after. Mira’s stories are real and surreal as our lives sometimes are, so there are twists in narrative and dynamics which make them interesting to read. Mira Popovic is an acclaimed journalist, political editor and correspondent for former Yugoslavian and Serbian press agencies (Tanjug), newspapers and magazines. She settled in Paris 15 years ago after extensive travels throughout Africa and Europe. She was always writing short stories published in well known literary magazines and other publications. Her first book, a selection of short stories named Beograd-Pariz, came out for the last year's Belgrade's Book Fair, published by Narodna Knjiga. Feel free to download the invitation to this event (in the Serbian language). 3-30 June, Azerbaijan - Past, Present, Future photographic exhibition organised by Pro Art and the Odlar Yurdu Organisation - at SOAS London University, Thornhaugh Street, Russell Square, London WC1H 0XG. The exhibition was opened by HE Mr Gurbanov, Ambassador of Azerbaijan who also talked about the 90th Anniversary of the First Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan, unique in the Islamic World. The land around Caucasus and the Caspian Sea was also the Biblical Paradise. It accommodated many different people throughout time, since the dawn of civilization. Azerbaijan favourable geographical position is a blessing as well as a curse. Historically, Azerbaijan is known as the Land of Fire, not only in a symbolic way, but also in its history, nature and socio-economic development procured. The exhibition started through the successions from the Prehistoric, Hellenic, Persian and Roman occupiers and later Medieval cultures, Mongols and the Great Tamerlan, showing Azerbaijan united under Safavi rulers. The importance to hold the “Land of Fire” was especially vital through the trade relations on the re-established Silk Road in the 6th century, going from China through Central Asia to Europe. The next important historical period is the Independence in 1918, and forming of the world's first Islamic Democracy, the first Islamic country to give the votes to women, the Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan. It existed for about two years when the Red Army took the state sovereignty and Russian dominance lasted until 1991, when Azerbaijan became again fully sovereign Democratic Republic. Feel free to download the invitation to this event. 6-10 May, Sunčica Travaš's Land of Many Colours exhibition inspired by the Dalmatian Adriatic coast and sea - at the Chelsea Old Town Hall, Kings Road, London, SW3. Sunčica's art is her vision of the land and the sea, and their unbound spirits which she loves immensely. She creates a fantastic blend of stones, rocks, grass, olives and lavender. It is not only nature, but smell, colours and light brought close to our senses, making us feel as if we have experienced them together with her. Sunčica's brush strokes are keen to capture quickly her appreciation of being an integral part of that world. This Croatia, far away from the tourist landmarks, unknown and beautiful in its natural existence is revealed to us through Sunčica's paintings. Some pieces are available for sale. Feel free to download the leaflet and flyer for this event. 10 April, Celebration Africa! recital - at the Posk Theatre, Polish Cultural Centre, 238-246 King Street, W6 0RF. Josephine Amankwah, (biography), the beautiful and talented opera singer, dedicates this recital to performing traditional songs from across the continent, celebrating African origins: songs of the African slaves that were, American Negro-Spirituals, which lifted the spirits of black people and led them towards freedom, and African classical songs, arranged and composed in modern time. The programme will include poetry read by Tetteh Kofi, radio presenter and Pro Art's loyal supporter. Feel free to download the press release, invitation, and programme for this event. 4 April, Pro Art & Co AGM and Annual Lecture - at the Victoria & Albert Museum, London. A guided tour of the museum's Islamic collection by Jasmin Mamanni, Islamic collection expert. This tour is also connected to the Splendour Perfected project, whose recent exhibition included some of the artefacts from the V&A, presenting trade between Asia and Europe. The annual report can be obtained here. Feel free to download the invitation to this event. 31 January, Guitar Recital by Milos Karadaglic, guest appearance: Sophia Grech, mezzo-soprano** - at Bolivar Hall, Venezuelan Embassy, W1. This concert is one in a series of concerts which Pro Art & Co is organising to promote young musicians. Milos Karadaglic is a superb guitarist, young and talented, with a glittering career before him. In the cosy atmosphere of the old hall, where other virtuoso guitarists have played and excited audiences in the past, Milos showed that he is worthy of this traditional latino music venue. The audience was overwhelmed, and cried for an encore, which he graciously performed. The guest singer, Sophia Grech, is already a familiar face to our audience, and was warmly received with her Flamenco-style songs. Altogether, it was a stunning occasion. Feel free to download the flyer and programme for this event. 2007 17 December - 2 January 2008, Splendour Perfec*ted - Trade relations between Byzantium and the countries along the Silk Road* exhibition - at the Royal Geographical Society, London SW7. This exhibition presented the Central Asian route of the famous Silk Road, which began in ancient time from the city of Xian, China, exporting silk to neighbouring countries in Asia, and Egypt and Rome. The trade route was reopened in the early medieval time when Byzantium became the main trade with the East, especially with Iran, Syria, and Mediterranean countries where the main ports were busy sending silk, spices, porcelain and other luxury goods to Constantinople. The Silk Road became especially interesting and exotic after Marco Polo's book on his travels to China, to the court of Kubilai Khan and his subsequent travels in the Central and Southern Asian regions. The exhibition also presented Lilya Pavlovich Dear's oil paintings and prints inspired Marco Polo's book. Feel free to download the invitation and catalogue for this event. *17-21 December, Bulgarian Sacred Art* Icons exhibition - at St. James' Piccadilly Church Hall, W1. This exhibition presents the work of a group of artists who are masters in this field and whose expertise is used in restorations of originals from Bulgarian Byzantine monasteries. Their copies are true to the orginals, and are created in such a way as to be indistinguishable in style to medieval icon-painters. The artists who painted the icons are not important, however, as most of the icons are anonymous works. The exhibition was organised in conjunction with the Altera Gallery in Sofia, Bulgaria (click here for more information), and the Bulgarian Embassy in London, and was opened by HE Dr. Lachezar Matev. Feel free to download the press release, flyer, and invitation for this event. 12 October, Project Zlust concert** - at the Jazz Cafe, Polish Cultural Centre in King Street, Hammersmith W6. Contemporary ethno-jazz music by the Macedonian group, presenting traditional, classical jazz, and gypsy sounds in an original blend of music. It was an original, rarely-heard by the ethno-jazz club, who treat their genre in the same way as one would treat classical music. Project Zlust is well-known in Europe for the films: When I Kill A Saint and Reveries of the Solitude Walker. They also performed at the Bath Fringe Festival in Paris and collaborated with Nikola Kodjabashia and Toni Kitanovski. Project Zlust's band members are: Aleksandar Sekulovski (drums); Aleksandar Serafimov (alto sax); Ivan Beljkov (double bass); Olivier Samouillan (viola); and Dzijan Emin (keyboard). Part of the Invisible Gypsy Art project (see below). Feel free to download the press release for this event. *5 July, Creation Myths and Invisible Gypsy Art* story-telling for children** - at the Filipino Centre, Margravinie Rd, W6. A performance which included a music and dance presentation of ancient stories, including the Gypsy tradition. We involved children from Filipino, Ukrainian, Georgian, and Turkish communities. The project was funded by the Peabody Trust - Local Children's Network, and the Gypsy Invisible Art project was funded by Capital Radio's Help a London Child scheme. Feel free to download the project summary for this event. *8 June, Thracian Treasure* poetry reading from Zdravka Vladova-Momcheva's book** - at the Tabernacle, Powis Square, W11. The first in a series of story-telling events for adults and young people was a book by contemporary poets and writers to produce new literary creations and integrate in them traditional music and dance. Bulgarian Legends, original music and dance by Georgi Andreev, superbly choreographed and performed by Miss Galina Kalicin, based on well-known traditional sounds from the Thracian region of Bulgaria and evoke the refinement of the people who live there. We are also reminded through the poetry of the ancient names five to the mountains, rivers, and place embedded in the culture of that region forever. Feel free to download the press release, flyer, and programme for this event. *30 March, Pro Art & Co AGM, Alexandria Library Lecture* - at the University Women's Club, South Audley Square, W1. This year's lecture was given by David Wardrope about one of the world's cultural monuments which presents all peoples' heritage. The lecture and AGM ended with a lunch, organised by Pro Art & Co and the Lyceum Club International. Feel free to download the programme for this event. *14 March, Sarajevo Hagaddah* exhibition** - at the Spiro Ark Jewish Cultural centre, Enford Street, W2. The sacred Jewish Passover book, The Sarajevo Hagaddah, in conjunction with the Sarajevo Jewish Council, is one of the rarest and the most beautiful books produced in medieval Spain, richly illustrated, commissioned by a wealthy Sephardic family. It had an extraordinary life, travelling with the expelled Jewish community throughout Europe ending in Sarajevo where it was sold during the Second World War and in former Yugoslavia was treasured at the Sarajevo Library. the last war endangered the book again, but was saved by more tolerant citizens and intellectuals of Sarajevo, of all faiths, to be a symbol of unity of Sarajevo's multiethnic communities. There were two guest performers, girls who sang traditional Sephardic songs from Sarajevo. *31 January, Tomislav Krizman* exhibition - at the Bosnia & Herzegovina Embassy, Lexham Gardens, W8. Pro Art's private collection of rare prints of Bosnia and Herzegovina by Tomislav Krizman. Tomislav Krizman lived in Zagreb, Croatia, as an exceptional and widely-recognised Art Nouveau artist who produced several portfolios with drawings, prints and watercolours of cities from the pre-war Kingdom of Yugoslavia. Displayed was the print collection from Bosnia Herzegovina (1923-37), where he managed to capture its beauty, landscapes and traditional life of people and picturesque villages, all with a sentimental tone. On the same occasion, a concert was given by the renowned violinist Ruth Waterman accompanied by the members of the Mostar Sinfonietta. HE Dr. Tanja Milasinovic, the Ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina introduced the event and opened the exhibition. Feel free to download the flyer and invitation for this event. 2006 20-27 November, Arts and Crafts from Macedonia exhibition - at the Chelsea Old Town Hall, SW10. This exhibition of arts and crafts by Macedonian artists and jewellery-makers included the famous Lake Ohrid Pearl and silver smith. The private viewing included music and food from Macedonia. 1-7 November, Splendour Perfected exhibition** - at the Czech Embassy, W8, funded by Capital Radio's Help a London Child and the National Lottery's Awards for All. An exhibition of children's art work from workshops where 17 groups of children from supplementary schools, after-school clubs, art centres, and parent-children groups created art and crafts based on medieval Byzantine cultural heritage. The opening day included a fashion show and musical performance, as well as refreshments made in a 'Byzantine way'. Feel free to download the press release and catalogue for this event. *23-30 October, 150 Anniversary of the Birth of Nikola Tesla - Scientist and Artist* exhibition** - at the Fulham Library Gallery, SW6, by Dejan Jovanovic of Washington DC, USA. This is a rare glimpse into the life of the scientist whose inventions changed the world and shaped it. He made our life easier with alternating electrical currents, robotics, radio, "remote control", the first electrical car and many other devices which we enjoy today. His vision was beyond his, and even perhaps our, time, something in common with artists whose vision lay beyond the limits of ordinary people's imaginations. On the 26 October, a lecture was given in honour of Tesla and his life and the Institutions of Engineering and Technology with the following speakers: Vesna Brujic-Okretic, City University; Jane Insley, London Science Museum; Brian Bowers, IET; John McNamara, London American Embassy; Dejan Jovanovic, artist; and Mike Hammond. You can download the biographies of the participants here. The exhibition showed panels about Tesla prepared by the boys from the Westminster City Boys' school, SW1. Feel free to download the flyer and press release for this event. An order form for the prints of the paintings exhibited at this event can be downloaded here. 2-9 October, Pro Art Artists' Annual Exhibition - at the Chelsea Old Town Hall, SW3. Linda Reiss, artist from Estonia, her work already in the collections of some European and USA Museums; Boshka, master designer of jewellery, her work celebrated all over Britain, Europe, the USA, and Japan since 1984/5; Sonja Radan, artist from Sarajevo, painting on silk and wood, mainly her family tree; Tamara Everson, born in Bosnia, dedicated to exploring the feminine in all its aspects; Cathy Corner, working with silver and semi-precious stones, famous jewellery-maker inspired by East Africa where she lived and spent years researching design, stones, and materials. Rare prints from our private collection by Professor Tomislav Krizman, teaching at Zagreb University of Arts and Architecture, between the 1920s and 1940s. He made one of the most beautiful portfolios with drawings and prints from Bosnia and Herzegovina, 1927. Only a few of those portfolios survived the tragedies of the Second World War and the more-recent Bosnian war. Feel free to download the press release and flyer to this event. *4 July, Gypsy Classical Music* concert - at Leighton House. One of the most memorable events organised by Pro Art & Co, with performers Janci Hosszu, virtuoso violinist; Goran Milovanovic, pianist; Neil Hilgrove College, pianist; and Sophia Grech, mezzo-soprano, already a famous singer and our faithful supporter. Feel free to download the press release, flyer, and programme for this event. 4 April, Byzantine Women literary evening** - at the Barons' Court Library, W14. This literary evening was a continuation of the Splendour Perfected project, focusing on women in the great empire who contributed a great deal to enhancing the position of women in the Medieval period. Some of them were better rulers and diplomats than their husbands or sons, such as Anna Dalassena. They were also talented historians, a famous example being Anna Komnena, from whom we learned a great deal about the Crusaders and of Court Life under her father Alexius Komnenus. Among many others, we also mentioned Jefimija, a Serbian poetess who wrote a touching poetic account of the Kosovo Battle and the death of King Lazar. Maria Pavlovich Allport read from various medieval texts. This project was a part of the Hammersmith and Fulham WestWord Festival. Feel free to download the flyer and programme for this event. *30 March, Pro Art & Co AGM* and Presentation of the Byzantine Project fundraising event - at the Royal Thames Yacht Club. Our second AGM was organised at the beautiful premises of the Royal Thames Yacht Club, overlooking Hyde Park. We invited the members of Pro Art and its Management Committee as well as other guests, supporters of our activities, totalling in 70 people present. Our aim was to present our forthcoming programme and the new exhibition related to Byzantine history as a continuation of the Splendour Perfected project. In order to make this event special, we invited a guitar student from the neighbouring Royal College of Music who played Spanish composers with passion. We also organised goody bags for each guest, courtesy of Virgin Cosmetics. 2005 15 & 22 November & 2 December, Let My People Go! concerts** - at the Grosvenor Chapel, W1; and at the Posk Theatre, King Street, W6. This concert was a homage to anti-slavery, and a unique portrayal of the relentless spirit of Negro, it highlighted a spiritual mission fill with richness of the African heritage; the journey is communicated through spiritual and gospel music, combined with spoken word and dance and the artists' captivating performances. All participants were young black singers, musician and dancers: Josephine Amankwah, Phyllis Shilling, Yolanda Grant-Thompson, Tracey Campbell, singers; Emmanuel Waldron, piano; Rastko Rasic and Mohammed Dordoh, drums; Mame-Yaa Bonsu, Maxine Booth, Antoinette Harrison, Rashida Plummer, dancers; and Tetteh Kofi, reading and reciting poetry, a well-known media personality. Feel free to download the press release, November programme, and December programme for this project. 3-17 November, Splendour Perfect*ed: The gateway between East and West* photographic project - at the Romanian Cultural Institute, SW1. The exhibition on the 7 November presented the culture and art of the Eastern Roman Empire (Medieval Byzantium), focusing on everyday life, and the Byzantine influence on their neighbouring states, from the East and Central Europe, the Black Sea, and the Mediterranean basin. The influence of this rich and sophisticated state stretched well beyond its borders, leaving an extraordinary legacy, especially in Europe: state structure, legal system, administration, education, trade, diplomacy, culture and art. Click here to see the list of academic experts contributing to this exhibition. This project will continue throughout 2006 and 2007 and will include art and literary workshops involving children, young people, ethnic minorities, ethnic supplementary schools, and after-school clubs. There were also two lectures and a private viewing: *1. 17 November, Early Christian and Medieval Collection* private viewing** - at the British Museum, WC1, with curator Dr. Rowena Loverance. 2. 9 November, Romanian Painted Churches of Moldova - at the Romanian Cultural Institute, SW1, by Mr. Sherban Cantacuzino, Chairman of Pro Patrimonio. 3. 3 November, Armenian Illuminated Manuscripts: the most defining expression of Armenian Christianity - at the Romanian Cultural Institute, SW1, by Dr. Vrej Nersessian from the Manuscripts Department of the British Library. Feel free to download the brochure, introduction, and summary for this event. *29 September & 25 October, Sacred Music and Popular Voice* concerts - at the Grosvenor Chapel. The first concert was a musical journey beginning with early Byzantine chants, ending with well-known songs and sacred music, performed by Sophia Grech, mezzo-soprano, an international opera singer; and Ian Garland, pianist and composer. The second concert was the first in a series of concerts by young soprano Ksenia Jones, who introduced her fellow young musicians and guests Milos Karadaglic, a brilliant guitarist, and Sergey Rybin, pianist. The programme was a musical journey including Russian, Spanish and American influences through popular arias and songs. Feel free to download the programmes for this project: the events programme, the September programme, and the October programme. 25 May, Journey into the Unknown - Sri Lanka lecture** - at the University Women's Club, 2 Audley Square, W1. The lecture included a DVD projection of Sri Lanka and the lesser-known regions visited by Patrick Emek, writer and journalist, who frequented this remote area on several occasions, the last time being just after the Tsunami disaster. He talked about the people, their fears and hopes, activities and progress. The lecture was mainly for those aged over 50, and attracted an audience of 34 people. It was supported by the Lyceum International Club, Cobra Beer, and the Sri Lankan Tourist Board. Mr. Emek's biography can be downloaded here. Feel free to download the flyer and press release to this event. 9 May, Serbian Society 10 Anniversary celebration - at the Fulham Library, SW6. A presentation of Serbian mythology in literature enriched with traditional folk dance and music. The event involved a reading from Sonja Batinic-Besford's book, How to Catch a Talasson, published by Pro Art Publishing, followed by an open discussion about mythology. We recorded 62 present, all particularly interested to discuss the theme. It was an encouraging start for future efforts to promote the Serbian community. It was also a part of Hammersmith and Fulham's Literary Festival. Sonja Batinic-Besford was born in Belgrade, and currently resides in London, with her husband, a British dentist. She has five books published in Belgrade & one in Britain.She is also the author of two theatre and one radio play as well as many short stories, poems and literary reviews in various magazines in Serbia, Britain, France and USA. *23 April, Remembering Joy* - Leonard Cheshire Charity book promotion - at Salon Des Arts, 191 Queensgate, SW7. The book promoted was a selection of writings by the charity's clients - the disabled users of their services, and was edited by Audrey Burns-Ross and Elizabeth Ann Stuart. Leonard Cheshire supports over 21000 disabled people in the UK and works in 52 countries. They campaign for change and provide innovative services that give disabled people the opportunity to live life their way. 14 April, Masks multimedia art installation - at the Salon des Arts, 191 Queen's Gate, SW7. The exhibition included short films, electronic music and new-age poetry focused on anonymity in art which gives a universal character to its expression. To perform without being recognised, an individual artist focuses the audience's attention on the movements, words and expressions of art itself, not the performers. Music by Daniel Biro and Rob Palmer, passionate words by performance-poet Jessica d'Este, and provocative video-art by Lisa Cazzato-Vieira and Cassandra Bakic. The audience had a choice of white or red masks to wear during the performance. Feel free to download the press release and programme for this event. 18 March, Sculpting for Life project presentation - at the Royal Thames Yacht Club, SW1; exhibitions on 24 April at the 20 Century Theatre, W10; and on 17-23 October at the Royal College of Art, SW7. As a member of the Consortium of Art Charities, Pro Art & Co presented and launched the project on the 18 March, ending with a one-day arts and crafts event presenting children's collages on the 24 April. The event, aiming to fundraise for the final project, included a varied programme: exhibition, music, fun-fair, and collage-making workshop for children, families, and passers-by, including some celebrities as invited guests. The main exhibition in October displayed the sculptures and collages which children and young people made on the themes of Human Rights and Social Responsibilities introduced to them through the work of different charities and various environmental analogies. Feel free to download the press release, invitation, and catalogue for this event. 10 March, Lovers of Rumi recital** - at Leighton House, W8. Rumi's poetry reading including classical music (Scriabin, Bach, Brahms) with the participation of the famous Turkish traditional musician and singer, Latif Bolat. You can download the full biographies of the participants here. This event was also included in the programme of Hammersmith and Fulham's WestWord Festival. Sample poems can be obtained here. Feel free to download the press release, flyer, and catalogue for this event. 2004 *8 December, UNICEF’s Children of Sudan* Appeal** - at the Grosvenor Chapel, South Audley Street, W1. We raised funds for Unicef and presented our new organisation. We organised a concert with about 45 performers, including the Francis Holland School's Junior Choir and many people present, members of the Sudanese community, religious and diplomatic representatives, parents and a few homeless people (“residents” of the chapel) who we invited to come as our guests. Feel free to download the invitation and programme for this event.

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Past Projects

Click on the titles of the events, or click on the mini picture next to the events below to see the corresponding galleries.You can also view an entire year's worth of event galleries by clicking on the year subtitles below. Alternatively, visit our Gallery to see all of our event galleries.

2010

9 June, Synthesis concert
- at The Rich Mix, 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, London E1 6LA
Click here to see the flyer.
25 June, Lovers of Rumi "The Song of the Reed" concert
- at the University Women's Club, 2 Audley Square, London W1K 1DB
The performance included and poems by Rumi, Pablo Neruda, Kabir, Khalil Gibran and Rilke. The music included improvisations tabla and piano.
14 May, Lovers of Rumi "Songs from the Invisible" concert
- at the University Women's Club, 2 Audley Square, London W1K 1DB
This was the first Lovers of Rumi concert of the season.
The performance starred cellist Uta Schlichtig and included poems by Rumi and Rilke music by Gurdjieff, Bach and Scriabin.
13 February, Georgia - A country of Ancient Writing exhibition
- at the Scotland-Russia Institute, 9 South College Street, Edinburgh, EH8 9AA.
The exhibition was opened by Irina Dakhundaridze, Counsellor at the Embassy of Georgia. The Edinburgh Georgian choir gave a short recital, and Georgian wine was served for a thoroughly authentic experience.
Georgian is one of the oldest written languages in the world, and the country possesses an ancient literary tradition. This exhibition traces the history of Georgian scripts from their legendary beginnings in the reign of King Parnavaz in the 4th century BC to the version of the written language first seen in the 10th century AD and still in use today. The exhibition consists of full-colour images of manuscripts, in themselves objects of beauty, often splendidly illustrated.
The Exhibition explores various aspects of life and allows distinguishing Georgia’s long history through the photographic Art. The wealth of content is illustrated by many series of photographs (25 photos) taken in Georgia by the author of the exhibition Mr. David Tkemaladze. The photos are from the private collection of Mr. Tkemaladze who generously exhibits them in Georgia and out of the country.
The Exhibition explores ancient writing materials and book types, the evolution of script and the role of sacred books in the spiritual life of Georgian Monasteries throughout Georgia and the world’s most significant Holy Places, such as St. Catherine’s and Mount Athos in Greece. It includes important ancient writings; illuminated Gospels and devotional manuscripts, as well as early period editions of classical texts.
This is a journey to the period when Georgia builds around it a set of connections through the highly delicate taste of Art and wisdom.
1-21 February, Traditional African Art exhibition
- at the Chelsea Old Town Hall, Reference Library.
This is a public exhibition about original traditional African art, masks, figurines and small objects, made by anonymous artists from various tribes across the continent and in different periods. They are arranged in group of objects presenting various aspects of tribal life, important in their daily routine and without commercial value. The topics are: ancestors, fertility, marriages, warriors, nature (animals and plants). The curator will give a talk about African art and tribal life with a discussion and story-telling for children and adults, and on presented topics; entrance free.
This Collection belongs to the New World International charity organisation, and this exhibition is curated by Dante Montagnani and our own Vesna Petkovic.

2009

10 October - 10 November, The Second Eastern European Jazz Festival
- at the Jazz Cafe Posk, Polish Cultural Centre, Hammersmith, W6

Click to download the programme and press release for this event.
23 June, The Journey - A Concert to Celebrate Sir Nicholas Winton's 100th Birthday
- at Lauderdale House, Waterlow Park, Highgate Hill.

Feel free to download the full programme.
14 May, Beyond Belief and Disbelief recital
- at Grosvenor Chapel, London.
Lovers of Rumi and Manikam Yogeswaran with Tamil musicians all feature in this recital including poems by Rumi, music by Bach, Scriabin, as well as improvisations.
Readers: Azima Melita Kolin, Gina Landor, AnnMarie Terry, Kim Richardson, Manikam Yogeswaran.

In 1997, inspired by the poetry of the 13th century Sufi mystic poet Jelaludin Rumi, Azima Melita Kolin began a series of concert-readings, combining his poems and stories with classical music. For the past nine years, she and a group of six readers have given many concerts in Europe and England including London’s Queen Elizabeth Hall. They have also performed in collaboration with Persian and Indian musicians and, more recently, with Sri-Lankan Karnatic singer Manickam Yogeswaran. They have created a form in which words and music are woven into a tapestry on different themes. Rumi's timeless wisdom and message of love transcend the limitations of language, the boundaries of time, speaking directly to the heart. Rumi's words are a guiding light on the path of the future.Since 1997 the Lovers of Rumi have given over 200 concerts in Britain, Germany, Spain and US.
In the last years Maryam Mafi and Azima Melita Kolin have translated three books of Rumi’s poems: Whispers of the Beloved, Hidden Music and Gardens of the Beloved, all published by Thorntons Harper Collins.

Feel free to download the press release for this event.
5-18 May, Splendour Perfected: Cambridge exhibition tour
- at Jesus College, Cambridge University, Jesus Lane, Cambridge.
16 April, Pro Art & Co AGM
- at the Whitechapel Gallery.
2-7 March, Armenia - Land of Culture exhibition
- at The Royal Geographical Society, London.
This exhibition of photographs shows Armenia and its cultural heritage.
Armenia was one of the countries of the famous Silk Road, which accommodated trade and cultural exchange even before our era.
Armenia became the first nation to adopt Christianity in 301 AD as a state religion. Christian iconography came to play a very important role in Armenian art and architecture, and its churches were built in distinctive style. The carving of decorative stone monuments called khatchkars (cross stones) is an ancient form of Christian Armenian art and a characteristic part of the national heritage.
Armenian cultural heritage is the best presented through written monuments deriving from as early as 405 AD, when the Armenian alphabet was created by a scholar monk Mesrop Mashtots, which helped to develop the Armenian language, literature and arts, allowing for the advancement of the art of the illuminated manuscripts.
The exhibition presents a country with a millennia-long history and traditions, an excellent destination for cultural, religious, historical and adventure tourism.

4 March, Armenian Written Heritage - Alphabet & Manuscripts lecture
- Education Centre at The Royal Geographical Society
The Rev. Dr Vrej Nersessian (biography)
Head of Christian and Middle East Section, British Library
Carolyn Puzzovio (biography)
Principle Lecturer, Faculty of Art, Architecture and Design, University of Lincoln

Feel free to download the flyer and invitation to this event.
2 February - 12 April, Splendour Perfected: Edinburgh exhibition tour

16 March - 12 April at Edinburgh Library, 2 McDonald Road, Edinburgh.

2 - 28 February at the Scotland-Russia Forum, The Scotland-Russia Institute, 9 South College St, Edinburgh.

2008

25-30 November, Contact Seminar in Besançon, Searching for Partners
Pro Art & Co applied for a grant to attend the Grundtvig/Comenius EU contact seminar in Besançon, France, in November 2008, seeking for partners whith whom we can start a new project based on the use of art and heritage in adult education. We found 9 partners, from the Czech Republic, Poland, France, Italy, Finland, Latvia, Lethonia, Spain, and Norway, and we consider ourselves lucky, because all our partners are from organisations working in a similar field and promoting an innovative method in adult education.
We hope to proceed further with this project, so see its progress on it's project page here.

13 November, Presentation of current Pro Art projects and the Uzbekistan: In the Eyes of Children photographic exhibition and Introduction to the Discover the City of London project
- at the Lighthouse.
8 November, The Baroque Ensemble "Transylvania" concert
- at the Grosvenor Chapel, Mayfair.
The Baroque Ensemble “Transylvania”, founded 1995, is mainly dedicated to indigenous baroque music and uses copies of historical instruments. The ensemble also plays contemporary Transylvanian music, and has interpreted several first performances of works by composers like Hans Peter Türk, Adrian Borza, Dan Voiculescu, Adrian Pop and Cornel Ţăranu. The Transylvania Baroque Ensemble’s activity is documented by its three CDs, one DVD as well as repeated radio and TV appearances and a busy schedule of concerts and tours (over 450 public performances). Apart from performances at national music festivals, the ensemble has performed at various events hosted by the Romanian Cultural Presidency and diplomatic missions, and conducted numerous tours abroad, to countries as Germany, The Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, Belgium, Hungary, Portugal and Moldova. It gave concerts on premises like the Concertgebouw Amsterdam and the Gasteig in Munich, and was a guest of the Landshuter Hofmusiktage festival of old music, Germany.
The concert is part of Project BAROCCOCO, cofinanced by Ministry of Culture and Religious Affairs of Romania through Programme PROMOCULT-2008.

Feel free to download the flyer and programme for this event.
25 October - 21 November, Splendour Perfected: Coventry exhibition tour
- at Coventry Transport Museum, Millenium Place, Hale Street, Coventry.
15 October, Celebration Africa! recital
- at the Tabernacle, Notting Hill Gate.

Feel free to download the flyer and leaflet for this event.
3-7 October, Uzbekistan: In the Eyes of Children photographic exhibition
- at the Royal College of Art.

Feel free to download the invitation to this event.
20 September, The Diesel Orchestra LIVE at the Jazz Cafe
- at the Polish Cultural Centre, W6.
Nikola Kodjabashia is one of the most intriguing contemporary R&B, electronica, classical composers from the Balkans. His work offers original combinations of contemporary technology with jazz and spiritual Byzantine music, something in the range of Philip Glass, Michael Nyman and Arvo Part. The Diesel Orchestra is a partnership of likeminded, inspirational musicians whose aim is to create and play music for their pleasure as well as for their highly appreciative audience.

This concert is for the promotion of their CD, THE MOST OF NOW, which has had excellent media reviews (click to download the press release). They will play as one of the participants in the First East European Jazz Festival (click to download the programme), organised by Jazz Café Posk and its music doyen Mark Greliak and Vesna Petkovic from Pro Art & Co. Reviews and Biography can be downloaded here.
17-25 August, Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2008 - 2 musical performances: "Celebration Africa!" and "A Gypsy Prayer for the South"
- at C Venue 54, Carlton Hotel, North Bridge, Edinburgh.

1. Celebration Africa! - A recital based on African cultural heritage, which involved mainly African performers presenting their traditional singing in original dialects, selection of Negro spirituals, African classical and popular songs, black poetry reading and mysterious African drumming. Its aim was to introduce a more sophisticated African culture and involve the audience in the performance. Josephine Amankwah starred in the show.

Feel free to download the press release for this event.

Click here to see our promotional videos, in the Old Videos section!

2. A Gypsy Prayer for the South - A theatre performance of a Shakespearian-style love story, the original Gypsy musical, presenting one of the culturally most isolated groups; it focused on traditional Roma culture, in opposition with modern life and challenges which the community faces in their struggle to preserve their identity and develop with time. Zoran Tairovic composed the show.

Feel free to download the press release for this event.

Click here to see our promotional videos, in the Old Videos section!

Three Weeks - Edinburgh Fringe Festival REVIEW

A Gypsy Prayer For The South (Pro Art & Co)

Sometimes it's easy to forget how international the Fringe really is when you succumb to the temptation of only seeing English-speaking performances. 'A Gypsy Prayer For The South', the first Gypsy opera-musical from the Balkans, could be a way of jolting you out of this Anglo-centricity, as the cast combine dance, music and singing to give the audience a real feel of the traditional Roma culture. Though only about half of the performance was in English, it is a testimony to the brilliant acting that the audience could understand the story and emotions of the characters despite the language barrier. With stunning voices and brilliant costumes, this is a brilliant opera-musical from a vibrantly different culture. C central 54 , 17 - 25 Aug, 3.30pm (4.30pm), prices vary, fpp 172. tw rating 4/5.

Information on both productions also available in the Fringe Festival Programme in the Music section.

Feel free to download the flyers for these events.
12 June, Mira Popovic at the Serbian Society in association with Pro Art
- at the Serbian Society, 33-35 Dawes Road, London, SW6 7DT. Mira bravely tackled one of the most published themes, ourselves, our personal doubts and hesitations, self-denying life challenges which prevent our inner dialogue and us to take the right course in life, so we sigh and blame our bad luck. A common denominator of these stories is “excess luggage” which we all carry throughout our lives unable to leave or give away. This Pandora’s box contains memories, feelings, sentiments and challenges, sometimes sad, sorrowful and sometimes blissful and happy. This is usually a heavy burden and every now and then we declare that our excess luggage will not be anymore. But in reality, we hang on to it until our last breath leaves us, hopeful that one day we shall find in it a forgotten clue which will solve all our problems and we shall live happy ever after. Mira’s stories are real and surreal as our lives sometimes are, so there are twists in narrative and dynamics which make them interesting to read.
Mira Popovic is an acclaimed journalist, political editor and correspondent for former Yugoslavian and Serbian press agencies (Tanjug), newspapers and magazines. She settled in Paris 15 years ago after extensive travels throughout Africa and Europe. She was always writing short stories published in well known literary magazines and other publications. Her first book, a selection of short stories named Beograd-Pariz, came out for the last year's Belgrade's Book Fair, published by Narodna Knjiga.

Feel free to download the invitation to this event (in the Serbian language).
3-30 June, Azerbaijan - Past, Present, Future photographic exhibition organised by Pro Art and the Odlar Yurdu Organisation
- at SOAS London University, Thornhaugh Street, Russell Square, London WC1H 0XG. The exhibition was opened by HE Mr Gurbanov, Ambassador of Azerbaijan who also talked about the 90th Anniversary of the First Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan, unique in the Islamic World.
The land around Caucasus and the Caspian Sea was also the Biblical Paradise. It accommodated many different people throughout time, since the dawn of civilization. Azerbaijan favourable geographical position is a blessing as well as a curse. Historically, Azerbaijan is known as the Land of Fire, not only in a symbolic way, but also in its history, nature and socio-economic development procured.
The exhibition started through the successions from the Prehistoric, Hellenic, Persian and Roman occupiers and later Medieval cultures, Mongols and the Great Tamerlan, showing Azerbaijan united under Safavi rulers. The importance to hold the “Land of Fire” was especially vital through the trade relations on the re-established Silk Road in the 6th century, going from China through Central Asia to Europe. The next important historical period is the Independence in 1918, and forming of the world's first Islamic Democracy, the first Islamic country to give the votes to women, the Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan. It existed for about two years when the Red Army took the state sovereignty and Russian dominance lasted until 1991, when Azerbaijan became again fully sovereign Democratic Republic.

Feel free to download the invitation to this event.
6-10 May, Sunčica Travaš's Land of Many Colours exhibition inspired by the Dalmatian Adriatic coast and sea
- at the Chelsea Old Town Hall, Kings Road, London, SW3. Sunčica's art is her vision of the land and the sea, and their unbound spirits which she loves immensely. She creates a fantastic blend of stones, rocks, grass, olives and lavender. It is not only nature, but smell, colours and light brought close to our senses, making us feel as if we have experienced them together with her. Sunčica's brush strokes are keen to capture quickly her appreciation of being an integral part of that world. This Croatia, far away from the tourist landmarks, unknown and beautiful in its natural existence is revealed to us through Sunčica's paintings. Some pieces are available for sale.

Feel free to download the leaflet and flyer for this event.
10 April, Celebration Africa! recital
- at the Posk Theatre, Polish Cultural Centre, 238-246 King Street, W6 0RF. Josephine Amankwah, (biography), the beautiful and talented opera singer, dedicates this recital to performing traditional songs from across the continent, celebrating African origins: songs of the African slaves that were, American Negro-Spirituals, which lifted the spirits of black people and led them towards freedom, and African classical songs, arranged and composed in modern time. The programme will include poetry read by Tetteh Kofi, radio presenter and Pro Art's loyal supporter.
Feel free to download the press release, invitation, and programme for this event.
4 April, Pro Art & Co AGM and Annual Lecture
- at the Victoria & Albert Museum, London. A guided tour of the museum's Islamic collection by Jasmin Mamanni, Islamic collection expert. This tour is also connected to the Splendour Perfected project, whose recent exhibition included some of the artefacts from the V&A, presenting trade between Asia and Europe. The annual report can be obtained here.

Feel free to download the invitation to this event.
31 January, Guitar Recital by Milos Karadaglic, guest appearance: Sophia Grech, mezzo-soprano
- at Bolivar Hall, Venezuelan Embassy, W1. This concert is one in a series of concerts which Pro Art & Co is organising to promote young musicians. Milos Karadaglic is a superb guitarist, young and talented, with a glittering career before him. In the cosy atmosphere of the old hall, where other virtuoso guitarists have played and excited audiences in the past, Milos showed that he is worthy of this traditional latino music venue. The audience was overwhelmed, and cried for an encore, which he graciously performed. The guest singer, Sophia Grech, is already a familiar face to our audience, and was warmly received with her Flamenco-style songs. Altogether, it was a stunning occasion.

Feel free to download the flyer and programme for this event.

2007

17 December - 2 January 2008, Splendour Perfected - Trade relations between Byzantium and the countries along the Silk Road exhibition
- at the Royal Geographical Society, London SW7. This exhibition presented the Central Asian route of the famous Silk Road, which began in ancient time from the city of Xian, China, exporting silk to neighbouring countries in Asia, and Egypt and Rome. The trade route was reopened in the early medieval time when Byzantium became the main trade with the East, especially with Iran, Syria, and Mediterranean countries where the main ports were busy sending silk, spices, porcelain and other luxury goods to Constantinople. The Silk Road became especially interesting and exotic after Marco Polo's book on his travels to China, to the court of Kubilai Khan and his subsequent travels in the Central and Southern Asian regions. The exhibition also presented Lilya Pavlovich Dear's oil paintings and prints inspired Marco Polo's book.

Feel free to download the invitation and catalogue for this event.
17-21 December, Bulgarian Sacred Art Icons exhibition
- at St. James' Piccadilly Church Hall, W1. This exhibition presents the work of a group of artists who are masters in this field and whose expertise is used in restorations of originals from Bulgarian Byzantine monasteries. Their copies are true to the orginals, and are created in such a way as to be indistinguishable in style to medieval icon-painters. The artists who painted the icons are not important, however, as most of the icons are anonymous works. The exhibition was organised in conjunction with the Altera Gallery in Sofia, Bulgaria (click here for more information), and the Bulgarian Embassy in London, and was opened by HE Dr. Lachezar Matev.

Feel free to download the press release, flyer, and invitation for this event.
12 October, Project Zlust concert
- at the Jazz Cafe, Polish Cultural Centre in King Street, Hammersmith W6. Contemporary ethno-jazz music by the Macedonian group, presenting traditional, classical jazz, and gypsy sounds in an original blend of music. It was an original, rarely-heard by the ethno-jazz club, who treat their genre in the same way as one would treat classical music. Project Zlust is well-known in Europe for the films: When I Kill A Saint and Reveries of the Solitude Walker. They also performed at the Bath Fringe Festival in Paris and collaborated with Nikola Kodjabashia and Toni Kitanovski. Project Zlust's band members are: Aleksandar Sekulovski (drums); Aleksandar Serafimov (alto sax); Ivan Beljkov (double bass); Olivier Samouillan (viola); and Dzijan Emin (keyboard). Part of the Invisible Gypsy Art project (see below).

Feel free to download the press release for this event.
5 July, Creation Myths and Invisible Gypsy Art story-telling for children
- at the Filipino Centre, Margravinie Rd, W6. A performance which included a music and dance presentation of ancient stories, including the Gypsy tradition. We involved children from Filipino, Ukrainian, Georgian, and Turkish communities. The project was funded by the Peabody Trust - Local Children's Network, and the Gypsy Invisible Art project was funded by Capital Radio's Help a London Child scheme.

Feel free to download the project summary for this event.
8 June, Thracian Treasure poetry reading from Zdravka Vladova-Momcheva's book
- at the Tabernacle, Powis Square, W11. The first in a series of story-telling events for adults and young people was a book by contemporary poets and writers to produce new literary creations and integrate in them traditional music and dance.
Bulgarian Legends, original music and dance by Georgi Andreev, superbly choreographed and performed by Miss Galina Kalicin, based on well-known traditional sounds from the Thracian region of Bulgaria and evoke the refinement of the people who live there. We are also reminded through the poetry of the ancient names five to the mountains, rivers, and place embedded in the culture of that region forever.

Feel free to download the press release, flyer, and programme for this event.
30 March, Pro Art & Co AGM, Alexandria Library Lecture
- at the University Women's Club, South Audley Square, W1. This year's lecture was given by David Wardrope about one of the world's cultural monuments which presents all peoples' heritage. The lecture and AGM ended with a lunch, organised by Pro Art & Co and the Lyceum Club International.

Feel free to download the programme for this event.
14 March, Sarajevo Hagaddah exhibition
- at the Spiro Ark Jewish Cultural centre, Enford Street, W2. The sacred Jewish Passover book, The Sarajevo Hagaddah, in conjunction with the Sarajevo Jewish Council, is one of the rarest and the most beautiful books produced in medieval Spain, richly illustrated, commissioned by a wealthy Sephardic family. It had an extraordinary life, travelling with the expelled Jewish community throughout Europe ending in Sarajevo where it was sold during the Second World War and in former Yugoslavia was treasured at the Sarajevo Library. the last war endangered the book again, but was saved by more tolerant citizens and intellectuals of Sarajevo, of all faiths, to be a symbol of unity of Sarajevo's multiethnic communities. There were two guest performers, girls who sang traditional Sephardic songs from Sarajevo.
31 January, Tomislav Krizman exhibition
- at the Bosnia & Herzegovina Embassy, Lexham Gardens, W8. Pro Art's private collection of rare prints of Bosnia and Herzegovina by Tomislav Krizman. Tomislav Krizman lived in Zagreb, Croatia, as an exceptional and widely-recognised Art Nouveau artist who produced several portfolios with drawings, prints and watercolours of cities from the pre-war Kingdom of Yugoslavia. Displayed was the print collection from Bosnia Herzegovina (1923-37), where he managed to capture its beauty, landscapes and traditional life of people and picturesque villages, all with a sentimental tone. On the same occasion, a concert was given by the renowned violinist Ruth Waterman accompanied by the members of the Mostar Sinfonietta. HE Dr. Tanja Milasinovic, the Ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina introduced the event and opened the exhibition.

Feel free to download the flyer and invitation for this event.

2006

20-27 November, Arts and Crafts from Macedonia exhibition
- at the Chelsea Old Town Hall, SW10. This exhibition of arts and crafts by Macedonian artists and jewellery-makers included the famous Lake Ohrid Pearl and silver smith. The private viewing included music and food from Macedonia.
1-7 November, Splendour Perfected exhibition
- at the Czech Embassy, W8, funded by Capital Radio's Help a London Child and the National Lottery's Awards for All. An exhibition of children's art work from workshops where 17 groups of children from supplementary schools, after-school clubs, art centres, and parent-children groups created art and crafts based on medieval Byzantine cultural heritage. The opening day included a fashion show and musical performance, as well as refreshments made in a 'Byzantine way'.

Feel free to download the press release and catalogue for this event.
23-30 October, 150 Anniversary of the Birth of Nikola Tesla - Scientist and Artist exhibition
- at the Fulham Library Gallery, SW6, by Dejan Jovanovic of Washington DC, USA. This is a rare glimpse into the life of the scientist whose inventions changed the world and shaped it. He made our life easier with alternating electrical currents, robotics, radio, "remote control", the first electrical car and many other devices which we enjoy today. His vision was beyond his, and even perhaps our, time, something in common with artists whose vision lay beyond the limits of ordinary people's imaginations. On the 26 October, a lecture was given in honour of Tesla and his life and the Institutions of Engineering and Technology with the following speakers: Vesna Brujic-Okretic, City University; Jane Insley, London Science Museum; Brian Bowers, IET; John McNamara, London American Embassy; Dejan Jovanovic, artist; and Mike Hammond. You can download the biographies of the participants here. The exhibition showed panels about Tesla prepared by the boys from the Westminster City Boys' school, SW1.

Feel free to download the flyer and press release for this event.

An order form for the prints of the paintings exhibited at this event can be downloaded here.
2-9 October, Pro Art Artists' Annual Exhibition
- at the Chelsea Old Town Hall, SW3. Linda Reiss, artist from Estonia, her work already in the collections of some European and USA Museums; Boshka, master designer of jewellery, her work celebrated all over Britain, Europe, the USA, and Japan since 1984/5; Sonja Radan, artist from Sarajevo, painting on silk and wood, mainly her family tree; Tamara Everson, born in Bosnia, dedicated to exploring the feminine in all its aspects; Cathy Corner, working with silver and semi-precious stones, famous jewellery-maker inspired by East Africa where she lived and spent years researching design, stones, and materials. Rare prints from our private collection by Professor Tomislav Krizman, teaching at Zagreb University of Arts and Architecture, between the 1920s and 1940s. He made one of the most beautiful portfolios with drawings and prints from Bosnia and Herzegovina, 1927. Only a few of those portfolios survived the tragedies of the Second World War and the more-recent Bosnian war.

Feel free to download the press release and flyer to this event.
4 July, Gypsy Classical Music concert
- at Leighton House. One of the most memorable events organised by Pro Art & Co, with performers Janci Hosszu, virtuoso violinist; Goran Milovanovic, pianist; Neil Hilgrove College, pianist; and Sophia Grech, mezzo-soprano, already a famous singer and our faithful supporter.

Feel free to download the press release, flyer, and programme for this event.
4 April, Byzantine Women literary evening
- at the Barons' Court Library, W14.
This literary evening was a continuation of the Splendour Perfected project, focusing on women in the great empire who contributed a great deal to enhancing the position of women in the Medieval period. Some of them were better rulers and diplomats than their husbands or sons, such as Anna Dalassena. They were also talented historians, a famous example being Anna Komnena, from whom we learned a great deal about the Crusaders and of Court Life under her father Alexius Komnenus. Among many others, we also mentioned Jefimija, a Serbian poetess who wrote a touching poetic account of the Kosovo Battle and the death of King Lazar. Maria Pavlovich Allport read from various medieval texts. This project was a part of the Hammersmith and Fulham WestWord Festival.

Feel free to download the flyer and programme for this event.
30 March, Pro Art & Co AGM and Presentation of the Byzantine Project fundraising event
- at the Royal Thames Yacht Club.
Our second AGM was organised at the beautiful premises of the Royal Thames Yacht Club, overlooking Hyde Park. We invited the members of Pro Art and its Management Committee as well as other guests, supporters of our activities, totalling in 70 people present. Our aim was to present our forthcoming programme and the new exhibition related to Byzantine history as a continuation of the Splendour Perfected project. In order to make this event special, we invited a guitar student from the neighbouring Royal College of Music who played Spanish composers with passion. We also organised goody bags for each guest, courtesy of Virgin Cosmetics.

2005

15 & 22 November & 2 December, Let My People Go! concerts
- at the Grosvenor Chapel, W1; and at the Posk Theatre, King Street, W6. This concert was a homage to anti-slavery, and a unique portrayal of the relentless spirit of Negro, it highlighted a spiritual mission fill with richness of the African heritage; the journey is communicated through spiritual and gospel music, combined with spoken word and dance and the artists' captivating performances. All participants were young black singers, musician and dancers: Josephine Amankwah, Phyllis Shilling, Yolanda Grant-Thompson, Tracey Campbell, singers; Emmanuel Waldron, piano; Rastko Rasic and Mohammed Dordoh, drums; Mame-Yaa Bonsu, Maxine Booth, Antoinette Harrison, Rashida Plummer, dancers; and Tetteh Kofi, reading and reciting poetry, a well-known media personality.

Feel free to download the press release, November programme, and December programme for this project.
3-17 November, Splendour Perfected: The gateway between East and West photographic project
- at the Romanian Cultural Institute, SW1. The exhibition on the 7 November presented the culture and art of the Eastern Roman Empire (Medieval Byzantium), focusing on everyday life, and the Byzantine influence on their neighbouring states, from the East and Central Europe, the Black Sea, and the Mediterranean basin. The influence of this rich and sophisticated state stretched well beyond its borders, leaving an extraordinary legacy, especially in Europe: state structure, legal system, administration, education, trade, diplomacy, culture and art. Click here to see the list of academic experts contributing to this exhibition.
This project will continue throughout 2006 and 2007 and will include art and literary workshops involving children, young people, ethnic minorities, ethnic supplementary schools, and after-school clubs. There were also two lectures and a private viewing:

1. 17 November, Early Christian and Medieval Collection private viewing - at the British Museum, WC1, with curator Dr. Rowena Loverance.

2. 9 November, Romanian Painted Churches of Moldova - at the Romanian Cultural Institute, SW1, by Mr. Sherban Cantacuzino, Chairman of Pro Patrimonio.

3. 3 November, Armenian Illuminated Manuscripts: the most defining expression of Armenian Christianity - at the Romanian Cultural Institute, SW1, by Dr. Vrej Nersessian from the Manuscripts Department of the British Library.

Feel free to download the brochure, introduction, and summary for this event.
29 September & 25 October, Sacred Music and Popular Voice concerts
- at the Grosvenor Chapel. The first concert was a musical journey beginning with early Byzantine chants, ending with well-known songs and sacred music, performed by Sophia Grech, mezzo-soprano, an international opera singer; and Ian Garland, pianist and composer. The second concert was the first in a series of concerts by young soprano Ksenia Jones, who introduced her fellow young musicians and guests Milos Karadaglic, a brilliant guitarist, and Sergey Rybin, pianist. The programme was a musical journey including Russian, Spanish and American influences through popular arias and songs.

Feel free to download the programmes for this project: the events programme, the September programme, and the October programme.
25 May, Journey into the Unknown - Sri Lanka lecture
- at the University Women's Club, 2 Audley Square, W1. The lecture included a DVD projection of Sri Lanka and the lesser-known regions visited by Patrick Emek, writer and journalist, who frequented this remote area on several occasions, the last time being just after the Tsunami disaster. He talked about the people, their fears and hopes, activities and progress. The lecture was mainly for those aged over 50, and attracted an audience of 34 people. It was supported by the Lyceum International Club, Cobra Beer, and the Sri Lankan Tourist Board. Mr. Emek's biography can be downloaded here.

Feel free to download the flyer and press release to this event.
9 May, Serbian Society 10 Anniversary celebration
- at the Fulham Library, SW6. A presentation of Serbian mythology in literature enriched with traditional folk dance and music. The event involved a reading from Sonja Batinic-Besford's book, How to Catch a Talasson, published by Pro Art Publishing, followed by an open discussion about mythology. We recorded 62 present, all particularly interested to discuss the theme. It was an encouraging start for future efforts to promote the Serbian community. It was also a part of Hammersmith and Fulham's Literary Festival.
Sonja Batinic-Besford was born in Belgrade, and currently resides in London, with her husband, a British dentist. She has five books published in Belgrade & one in Britain.She is also the author of two theatre and one radio play as well as many short stories, poems and literary reviews in various magazines in Serbia, Britain, France and USA.
23 April, Remembering Joy - Leonard Cheshire Charity book promotion
- at Salon Des Arts, 191 Queensgate, SW7. The book promoted was a selection of writings by the charity's clients - the disabled users of their services, and was edited by Audrey Burns-Ross and Elizabeth Ann Stuart.
Leonard Cheshire supports over 21000 disabled people in the UK and works in 52 countries. They campaign for change and provide innovative services that give disabled people the opportunity to live life their way.
14 April, Masks multimedia art installation
- at the Salon des Arts, 191 Queen's Gate, SW7. The exhibition included short films, electronic music and new-age poetry focused on anonymity in art which gives a universal character to its expression. To perform without being recognised, an individual artist focuses the audience's attention on the movements, words and expressions of art itself, not the performers. Music by Daniel Biro and Rob Palmer, passionate words by performance-poet Jessica d'Este, and provocative video-art by Lisa Cazzato-Vieira and Cassandra Bakic. The audience had a choice of white or red masks to wear during the performance.

Feel free to download the press release and programme for this event.
18 March, Sculpting for Life project presentation
- at the Royal Thames Yacht Club, SW1; exhibitions on 24 April at the 20 Century Theatre, W10; and on 17-23 October at the Royal College of Art, SW7. As a member of the Consortium of Art Charities, Pro Art & Co presented and launched the project on the 18 March, ending with a one-day arts and crafts event presenting children's collages on the 24 April. The event, aiming to fundraise for the final project, included a varied programme: exhibition, music, fun-fair, and collage-making workshop for children, families, and passers-by, including some celebrities as invited guests. The main exhibition in October displayed the sculptures and collages which children and young people made on the themes of Human Rights and Social Responsibilities introduced to them through the work of different charities and various environmental analogies.

Feel free to download the press release, invitation, and catalogue for this event.
10 March, Lovers of Rumi recital
- at Leighton House, W8. Rumi's poetry reading including classical music (Scriabin, Bach, Brahms) with the participation of the famous Turkish traditional musician and singer, Latif Bolat. You can download the full biographies of the participants here. This event was also included in the programme of Hammersmith and Fulham's WestWord Festival. Sample poems can be obtained here.

Feel free to download the press release, flyer, and catalogue for this event.

2004

8 December, UNICEF’s Children of Sudan Appeal
- at the Grosvenor Chapel, South Audley Street, W1. We raised funds for Unicef and presented our new organisation. We organised a concert with about 45 performers, including the Francis Holland School's Junior Choir and many people present, members of the Sudanese community, religious and diplomatic representatives, parents and a few homeless people (“residents” of the chapel) who we invited to come as our guests.

Feel free to download the invitation and programme for this event.