In the time of the Easter Octave and with longing for peace and reconciliation in the whole world, on Friday, 14 April 2023, in the Archbasilica of St. Ivan in Lateran in Rome, an evening concert “Together for Peace”, by the National Folk Dance Ensemble of Croatia “Lado” and the Polish “Śląsk” Song and Dance Ensemble, was held. The concert was jointly organized by the Embassy of the Republic of Croatia to the Holy See and the Embassy of the Republic of Poland to the Holy See.
In her introductory address, along with greetings and thanks to the artists and the present representatives of the diplomatic corps and the Holy See, Chargé d'Affaires of the Croatian Embassy recalled the marking of the 60th anniversary of the encyclical on peace “Pacem in Terris” and the Holy Father, Pope Francis’ appeal for peace on earth, wishing on that occasion to everyone peace on earth and peace in hearts.
During almost two hours of the superb performance, Croatian and Polish ensembles presented to the Vatican and Rome audience a broad programme of traditional Easter folk songs and the rich cultural heritage of various regions of Croatia and Poland. As a highlight of the concert, the guests were particularly moved by the joint performance of the song “Lord, You Have Come”, which is especially loved by the people of faith. Representatives of the diplomatic corps from about 40 countries and high-ranking guests from the Holy See, as well as members of the Croatian and Polish communities of Rome, welcomed the encore performance of that song with a great enthusiasm.
The Archbasilica of St. John in Lateran is the oldest and the first in importance among the four major papal basilicas of Rome (the Roman cathedral) and bears the honorary title: “the Mother and Head of all Churches in Rome and in the World”.
The realization of the concert was made possible by the Ministry of Culture and Media of the Republic of Croatia, the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Croatia and the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage of the Republic of Poland.
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