On November 20, the Russian House in Brussels hosted a concert by the Youth Archpastoral Choir of the Brussels-Belgian Diocese titled “Two Wings: Spiritual and Folk”, dedicated to the celebration of the 100th anniversary of people’s diplomacy.

The first part of the program featured works glorifying faith, love, and joy, including the Znamenny chant “O Heavenly King” Tone 6 (Musical Culture of Ancient Rus’), “It Is Truly Meet” by P. Dinev, “Rejoice, O Virgin Theotokos” in the chant of the Ascension Monastery, and other sacred hymns.

The second part of the concert was devoted to folk music. Guests heard works by A. Sveshnikov (“Ah, You Wide Steppe”, “In the Dark Forest”), V. Solovyov-Sedoi (“Moscow Nights”), and A. Pobedimsky (“The Daisy”), as well as well-known secular compositions familiar to every listener.

The performance concluded with the hymn “Many Years” — an ancient blessing of longevity and prosperity addressed to all present.

The choir’s voices, crystal-clear and woven as if from light, intertwined with golden, weightless threads, filling the space with an unearthly, almost healing harmony.

The Youth Archpastoral Choir of the Brussels-Belgian Diocese was founded in 2020 with the blessing of Archbishop Simon of Brussels and Belgium. It includes young singers from various parishes of the diocese. The choir unites representatives of many countries — Russia, Belarus, Moldova, Greece, and others — who now live in Belgium and the Netherlands.

The ensemble’s repertoire includes church and spiritual music, as well as beloved folk and Soviet songs.