On 27 April 2012, The Atlantic Club of Bulgaria, together with Pan-European Movement – Bulgaria and in cooperation with the Sofia Opera and Ballet, the Representation of the European Commission in Bulgaria and Sofia Municipality, organized a Gala Concert, entitled “Ode to Joy“.

The event was opened by the President of The Atlantic Club of Bulgaria Dr. Solomon Passy, who reminded the audience of the occasion of the event and greeted all guests. According to him, the sum of so many and so important for Bulgaria events made the concert a key one for the commemoration of an important stage of the development of the country’s European values. The combination of anniversaries from the signing of the accession treaties and common European decisions appeared to be a symbolic celebration of the European belonging of the country.

The official program began with the projection of sequences from significant conferences and commemorations of EU celebrations with the accompaniment of an orchestra playing the ‘Florestan’ aria. The audience had the opportunity to enjoy exquisite music and at the same time to recall when and under what circumstances the European leaders had put their signatures on the founding treaties of the European Union. Then, while the ‘Ode of Joy’ was sang by the Bulgarian National Radio’s Children Choir, the last parts of the documentaries were projected.

The concert was held at 19:00 h, at the Sofia Opera and Ballet.