Concert

Why Emma?

Following an idea by Dr Miomir Korać, the archaeologist who placed the ancient town of Viminacium on the cultural heritage map of Serbia and Europe, a unique event entitled Roman Night is taking place on 30th August.

Inspired by the 2003 performance of a French neo-classical diva Emma Shapplin on the excavations of Caesarea (in Judea, Israel), Dr Korać had a vision of Viminacium enlightened by the same beatific soprano. The road from an idea to its realization is usually a long winding, but thanks to understanding and creative courage of the singer and her manager, on 30th August a dream will come true.

Emma Shapplin has accepted an artistic challenge and agreed to sing in Serbia for the first time - not in a concert hall, but in the unique environment of Viminacium. She will be accompanied by an orchestra conducted by Ognjan Radivojević, as well as the RTS choir.

Dr Korać’s idea was not just to organize an unusual concert at Viminacium. The event is meant to draw attention of public in Serbia and abroad, to a broader, pan-European project called Itinerarium Romanum Serbiae (Cultural Roads of Roman Emperors). As incumbent Deputy Minister of Culture in charge of cultural heritage, in co-operation with various fellow archaeologists, scientists and business partners from several European countries, Dr Korać devised a concept, which will put Viminacium and Serbia on the cultural map of Europe. The guiding idea of this project is that an investment in culture could be economically sustainable – despite common belief and practice throughout the world, that culture is a non- profit and money guzzling venture

The stage on which the Roman Night will take place will be integrated within the Viminacium mausoleum. Limited number of seats (300) inside the mausoleum is designated for VIP guests and sponsor. However, the free-for-public event is produced for a mass audience too, expected to fill the vast area around the mausoleum. First class PA and lights system, along with video walls will enable performance by Emma Shapplin to be enjoyed by everyone who comes to Viminacium for the Roman Night. The Viminacium Park will be accessible to the public not only for the evening performance. Throughout the day, many attractive events for audience off all ages will take place.

Why concert in Vimiacium?

The concert by Emma Shapplin on 30th August has an aim of attracting diplomatic, business, cultural, scientific and media elite of Serbia – in order to raise public awareness for discovering and preserving important European cultural heritage and landmarks in Serbia, like Viminacium. The event is also meant to attract possible donors to support such projects, and there are several equally ~www.viminacium.net~precious sites around Serbia. Additionally, there is an important anniversary to be marked at the Viminacium that evening. We are proud to be involved in commemorating 200 years since foundation of the University of Belgrade.

National public service broadcaster RTS will have live coverage of the Roman Night at Viminacium. Film and TV director Srdjan Radosavljević is in charge of directing, special effects and the set in order to visually integrate magic voice of Emma Shapplin into the ambient of Viminacium.

The concert of Emma Chaplin at Viminacium will not be the first event of such kind. Last year several thousand people turned up for the World Earth Day event held at Viminacium mausoleum. This was Serbian contribution to the global event initiated by the former US Vice-President Al Gore, author of award-winning documentary film The Inconvenient Truth. Throughout many cities of the world, pop stars were performing in order to advocate necessity to preserve our planet, whose ecological capacities are threatened by negligent and selfish actions of human race. Outstanding Serbian artists Van Gogh and Ekatarina Revisited played on that occasion. Through such event, partially excavated Roman town of Viminacium was symbolically illuminated by the global lights.

The aura of Viminacium continues to shine – this year Viminacium will be illuminated by the enchanting voice of French diva Emma Shapplin on Saturday 30th August 2008.

Viminacium as a symbol

Historic town of Viminacium, capital of Roman province Upper Mesia, is situated next to the mining town of Kostolac, some 80 kilometres south-east from Belgrade. For several decades now, Viminacium has become much more than a valuable archaeological site. It is the light, which illuminates the past and the present; it is a tangible proof of culture’s eternal and universal value, spiritual source of contemporary culture.

Culture Roads of Roman Emperors are passing via Viminacium, which is the link that firmly joins Serbia with the spiritual tradition of Europe, much more than any political or legal declaration or paper.

Enjoy the magic of Viminacium and avant-garde art! This is because the art of Emma Shapplin incorporates classical and contemporary music, an exciting mixture of traditional and modern, eternal and universal, values, which transgress confines of time, culture and ethnicity.

Moreover, remember that Dr Miomir Korać and his team are currently excavating in Viminacium an amphitheatre with 12,000 seats, which promises even more spectacular musical events from 2009.