Umut Orchestra at Bellapais

By Margaret Sheard

A year or so ago, Chris and I were taken by Raziye Kocaismail to visit the Kanser Hastalarına Yardım Derneği (The Hope Education and Culture Centre) in Lefkoşa, and we had the pleasure of being entertained by a group of 5 musicians. This was a small group who appeared at many of the Tulips events and now it has become an orchestra which is performing at many venues throughout North Cyprus.

We are pleased to pass on the news that the Umut Orchestra will be appearing at Bellapais Abbey on Saturday 4th May to give a concert, under the auspices of the Ministry of National Education, Youth and Sports, and all proceeds will be donated to the Hope Education and Culture Centre.

The concert starts at 8pm and tickets are 15TL which can be purchased from Best Seller Bookshops in Karakum and Alsancak, the Tulips Stall at the Chateau Lambousa Saturday market or by telephoning 0533 870 1838.

Raziye Kocaismail, the Founder of Help Those with Cancer Association (Tulips) has provided some information about the orchestra and she says:

“The Hope Orchestra idea came about after some of our members who had experienced cancer decided to found Grup Umut (The Hope Group). The Group now consists of musicians from Universities – teachers and students, musicians who work in the Government offices and also musicians from the Army band. They all came together with the idea to create the orchestra with the aim of helping others.

Some of the musicians are unemployed, some of them are so busy with work and family but they never say ‘we don’t have the time’ and never ask or say they need any expenses for petrol or anything else.

The Hope Group became the Hope Group Orchestra but the truth is that they have become the Orchestra of Humanity.”

I was unfortunately not able to get to the concert performed at the Bedestan recently but did see a video of one of the pieces played “La Malagueña ” which is superb and received thunderous applause from the audience. I will make sure I do not miss the Bellapais concert and hope to be able to hear this piece first hand.

Perhaps you would like to enjoy this performance and watch the video below which I am sure will convince you that it will be well worth attending the concert at Bellapais.