By Ms. Arlene Arbital
Port Moresby, PNG, 14 July 2016 -- The Akkordeon Harmonists from the Federal Republic of Germany arrived at the Jackson’s International Airport, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea in the early hours of July 13th. Representatives of the Don Bosco Technological Institute (DBTI), East Boroko welcomed the group.
The group, founded in 1995 by Mr. Volkmar Thermer, has as its aim the learning and understanding of other cultures through music. It has visited and performed in Lithuania, Sweden and Argentina.
The opening concert held at the DBTI gymnasium at 7pm, was graced by the German Consul General to Papua New Guinea His Excellency Mr. Eberhard Pfeiffer. Male and female boarding students rendered several entertaining songs and dances followed by the Akkordeon Harmonists’ items. A dinner at the newly-constructed Bosco Hall (adjacent to the Institute’s gymnasium) was held to welcome the group.
Through Br. Reto Wanner, SDB (main organizer of the PNG Tour), the words of Mr. Thermer (Chief Conductor and Founder) were translated into English. “I am very impressed by the friendliness and hospitality of DBTI community. It is amazing, that though there is no music school in the country, the students are very talented and keen to listen to the rhythm and melody of our music”, Mr. Thermer expressed happily.
The Harmonists thanked the Consul General for his presence and distributed brochures about Saxony and Chemnitz, the regions where they come from. Mr. Pfeiffer in appreciation said, “I am happy to see an Accordion Orchestra in PNG for the first time. You are very fortunate to visit different places like PNG. Indeed, it is an enriching experience.” He recollected his days in the military service in West Germany and said that due to restrictions of those years, he did not even cross over to East Germany.
The next day, the group entertained the student body, staff and their family members, benefactors, media, other guests from the neighboring communities and children with their wards from Cheshire Homes. The two-hour concert commenced with the playing of the National Anthem of PNG and Germany. Selected classical and modern music brought about the stamping of feet, clapping of hands, snapping of fingers, swaying of bodies and joyous singing with the orchestra. These were evident manifestations of appreciation and happiness seen for the very first time.
During their entire twenty-day stay in the country, the group will travel and perform in the different Don Bosco schools of Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands. They will also hold a concert in Bomana Juvenile Prison, Marianville Secondary School and at Caritas Technical Secondary School. Furthermore, they will learn a lot more of PNG culture by sleep-over with the families of selected Past Pupils, students and staff. An exchange of cultural instruments’ workshop at DBTI and other institutes is also part of the program.
The tour and the concert performances have been made possible through the assistance of the Lion’s Club and government of Germany, Rotary Club of PNG, Hertz and the Blessed Rinaldi Vice-province (PGS) of Papua New Guinea-Solomon Islands.
