Vánimo (Papua New Guinea), Sep 8 (EFE).- The children’s orchestra of Vánimo, in Papua New Guinea, is called ‘Our Lady of Paradise‘, in honor of the Virgin of Luján, patron saint of Argentina, and its director, Jesus Briceno Barriosarrived from Venezuela five years ago to begin the project and this Sunday they had their most difficult concert: before Pope Francis.
The Pope traveled on Sunday to Vánimo, a remote town 1,000 kilometers from the capital, on his last day in Papua New Guinea, and visited the mission school run by Argentine priests and listened to one of the pieces prepared by the orchestra, made up of children aged 8 to 16.
This is the only orchestra in Papua, an idea that began in 2016, when Father Miguel de la Calle, an Argentine priest who works in this mission and his colleagues, Father Martin Prado and Father Tomas Ravioli, decided to create an orchestra for the children of Vánimo.
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Father Miguel traveled to the Philippines to observe the ‘Ang Misyon’ program included in the ‘El Sistema de Orquestas de Venezuela’ and inspired by what he saw, he decided to take it to Papua New Guinea as well and called on Jesús Briceño to direct his project.
“I’m here because they wanted to have a project similar to the model of maestro Antonio Abreu (the founder of El Sistema) in Venezuela. I’ve been here for a little over 5 years now, where the orchestra has been created and we also have a group of rhythm bands, we also have recorders and there are a total of 120 children,” he explains to the media while waiting for the Pope.
They are all children from Vánimo, a town of about 11,000 inhabitants, one of the most remote in Papua New Guinea, where young people have very few opportunities. “Almost all of them live in precarious conditions, but they live with their parents, and at least they are here and have not had serious problems. That is why they come here, so that they can receive an education,” explains Briceño.
In these places, “we need to raise awareness among children and turn them into better citizens so that they don’t get used to seeing what you see here, which is violence, abuse, that kind of thing.”
And he explains: “They have done spectacular things over the years, but the most important concert in these 5 years has been the one for the Pope’s visit. They are super happy.”
For Father Miguel de la Calle, his project “reached its peak” on Sunday and he hopes that this visit from the Argentine pontiff will help them to continue.
The visit was a gift for everyone, but Francis did not come empty-handed, as the cargo of nearly a ton of material that he brought to the town on the Australian Air Force military plane, with medicines and clothing, also included some musical instruments for the children.
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#Vánimo #childrens #orchestra #Venezuelan #conductor #played #Pope
2024-09-09 09:02:00
Table of Contents
The Inspiring Story of the Vánimo Children’s Orchestra in Papua New Guinea
In the remote town of Vánimo, Papua New Guinea, a group of dedicated individuals has come together to create something truly special – the Vánimo Children’s Orchestra, also known as ‘Our Lady of Paradise’. This remarkable initiative was founded by a group of Latin American missionaries, led by Father Miguel de la Calle, and directed by Jesús Briceño, who arrived in Papua New Guinea five years ago to bring music and hope to the local children.
The orchestra, made up of children aged 8 to 16, has been a beacon of light in this small town of 11,000 inhabitants, where opportunities for young people are scarce. Despite the challenges they face, the children have come together to form a vibrant and talented group, driven by their passion for music.
The orchestra’s director, Jesús Briceño, explains that the project was inspired by the ‘El Sistema de Orquestas de Venezuela’, a music education program that has had a profound impact on the lives of thousands of children in Venezuela. Briceño, who has been leading the project for over five years, has seen firsthand the positive impact music can have on young people’s lives.
“In these places, we need to raise awareness
– What cultural significance does the children’s orchestra “Our Lady of Paradise” hold in Vánimo, Papua New Guinea?
Pope Francis Visits Vánimo, Papua New Guinea: A Remote Town with a Rich Cultural Heritage
Pope Francis has concluded his visit to Papua New Guinea, and one of the highlights of his trip was his visit to the remote town of Vánimo, where he was welcomed by the local community and had the opportunity to experience the town’s rich cultural heritage.
The Children’s Orchestra of Vánimo
One of the unique aspects of Vánimo is the children’s orchestra, known as “Our Lady of Paradise,” which was founded by a group of Latin American missionaries. The orchestra is made up of children aged 8 to 16, and it is the only orchestra in Papua New Guinea. The director of the orchestra, Jesus Briceno Barrios, arrived from Venezuela five years ago to begin the project, which was inspired by the “El Sistema de Orquestas de Venezuela” program.
On Sunday, Pope Francis had the chance to listen to one of the pieces prepared by the orchestra during his visit to the mission school run by Argentine priests in Vánimo. The orchestra’s performance was a highlight of the Pope’s visit to Papua New Guinea, and it showcased the talent and dedication of the children involved.
The Story Behind the Orchestra
The idea of creating an orchestra in Vánimo was born in 2016, when Father Miguel de la Calle, an Argentine priest, traveled to the Philippines to observe the “Ang Misyon” program, which is part of the “El Sistema de Orquestas de Venezuela” program. Inspired by what he saw, Father Miguel decided to bring the concept to Papua New Guinea and called on Jesus Briceno to direct the project.
Today, the orchestra is a thriving part of the community in Vánimo, with 120 children participating in the program. In addition to the orchestra, the program also includes rhythm bands and recorders, providing a comprehensive musical education to the children involved.
Pope Francis’ Visit to Papua New Guinea
Pope Francis’ visit to Papua New Guinea was part of his longest trip to date, which also included stops in Indonesia, East Timor, and Singapore. During his visit to Papua New Guinea, the Pope met with civil authorities and praised the immense diversity of the nation’s people [[3]].
On his first full day in Papua New Guinea, Pope Francis met with civil authorities and praised the nation’s diversity, saying that “a people that prays has a future” [[3]]. He also visited the capital city of Port Moresby, where he was welcomed by the local community.
The Pope’s Departure
After completing his visit to Papua New Guinea, Pope Francis departed from Port Moresby’s Jacksons International airport, bound for Dili, Timor Leste [[1]]. His visit to Papua New Guinea was a significant event for the country, and his words of encouragement and support will likely have a lasting impact on the community.
Pope Francis’ visit to Vánimo, Papua New Guinea, was a highlight of his trip to the region. The town’s children’s orchestra, “Our Lady of Paradise,” is a shining example of the community’s cultural heritage, and the Pope’s visit was a testament to the warm welcome and hospitality of the people of Papua New Guinea.
References:
[[1]]https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-09/pope-francis-departs-from-papua-new-guinea.html
[[2]]https://www.bbc.com/news/videos/crmwyzkeel2o
[[3]]https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-09/pope-in-papua-new-guinea-a-people-that-prays-has-a-future.html
