German specialty chemicals group LANXESS, has announced the introduction of its global arts and culture programme, the LANXESS Young Euro Classic initiative, to South Africa. The initiative which promotes the bi-national and bi-cultural exchange of youth orchestras through a concert project is set to commence in South Africa in 2013.

According to LANXESS South Africa Managing Director, Dr Karl-Rudolf Gassen, LANXESS has identified a local youth orchestra, MIAGI (Music is Great Investment) which will be paired with a German youth orchestra through the Young Euro Classic project. The two orchestras will combine in 2013 and perform concerts in South Africa. The project will present them with the opportunity to learn and understand each other’s cultures through their collaborative effort.

“LANXESS is committed to top performances. And so do the LANXESS Young Euro Classic concert projects which feature the best musicians from two countries. The initiative will be used as a knowledge sharing platform for participating German and South African youth. It will also present them with development opportunities,” he said.
    
The LANXESS Young Euro Classic series has been in existence since 2007. Countries that are already involved in the project include Russia, India, China and Japan. Brazil, like South Africa, will be involved in the project for the first time in 2013.  

The LANXESS Young Euro Classic projects often attract high ranking guests such as the German Chancellor or President, German Minister of State, Chinese Premier, President of the Indian Parliament or the Crown Prince of Japan. The South Africa – Germany project will have the patronage of German Foreign Minister, Guido Westerwelle for the South Africa–Germany project.

“This LANXESS Young Euro Classic project will be a valuable experience for the MIAGI Youth Orchestra. It is set to expose the orchestra to a new dimension of music through the collaboration with the German orchestra,” said MIAGI Director, Robert Brooks.

As a first step towards the South African–German LANXESS Young Euro Classic project, LANXESS has donated R100, 000 to assist with expenses during a two week long MAIGI tour to Europe from 16 July and 30 July. MIAGI will feature as the opening act at the annual Young Euro Classic festival to be held in Berlin on 27 and 28 July.

“As LANXESS we are happy to extend our cultural initiative to South Africa with a partner like MIAGI. With our donation we hope to contribute to the success of their upcoming European Tour,” said Gassen at a farewell concert held in honour of MIAGI at the Linder Auditorium at the WITS University in Johannesburg.