Prince of Asturias arts award goes to the 'Sistema'

The Venezuelan 'Sistema' - the umbrella organization of the Simón Bolívar Youth Orchestra of Venezuela and the programme through which Askonas Holt conductor Gustavo Dudamel learned his trade - has been awarded the 2008 Prince of Asturias Arts Award. Having been founded in 1975 by Venezuelan composer, economist and politician Jose Antonio Abreu, the network offers music instruction and workshops to young people, targeting the under-privileged in particular. It has helped some 600,000 children since its inception.

The jury said the network "has become an exceptional social and educational movement for the diffusion of art." More than 15,000 music teachers take part in the program, and the orchestras have performed for the United Nations and the late Pope John Paul II, in Carnegie Hall and at the BBC Proms at Royal Albert Hall.

Abreu, speaking in Caracas, said the award would move the foundation to keep working for the cause of bringing together children and classical music. He said the prize was "an acknowledgment of the effort of our dedicated teachers." Through the system of Venezuelan orchestras, he said, "art becomes a powerful tool for social development." He said the program's star talent, young conductor Gustavo Dudamel, is the "incarnation of this young generation" that will drive the program on by inspiring younger musicians.

Gustavo Dudamel, speaking from Milan, said "it is a great honour for us to be bestowed with the 2008 Prince of Asturias Award for the Arts. All of this is the result of the work carried out by a man of an immeasurable spirit, Jose Antonio Abreu, who made his dream come true, in which music could save lives building up the hopes of hundreds of thousands of children that now take part in this magnificent initiative. For me, a direct product of this System, it provides a great encouragement to continue performing and struggling alongside my music professor and my fellow students and in that way continuing to develop this wonderful idea which can, without a doubt, change society by bringing sensitivity, faith and hope for future generations worldwide. There are not enough words to thank our Maestro for opening up a path full of possibilities and for giving us the opportunity to celebrate life through music. Maestro, thank you for dreaming this dream and for turning it into a reality."

The art award is one of eight that the Prince of Asturias Foundation gives out yearly and will be presented in a ceremony in October, 2008. More information can be found here.

23 May, 2008

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