Four concerts of the Queen Elisabeth Competition to attract young audiences to concert halls

At BNP Paribas Fortis, making culture accessible to as many people as possible is one of our priorities. This also explains why we have been a partner of the Queen Elisabeth Competition for more than 30 years.

Piano and cello on the programme

To promote the cultural participation of young people, the Queen Elisabeth Competition is organising four free concerts for young people under 26 years on 22, 23 and 24 March 2022. We will of course be supporting this initiative.

This year, the audience will be able to enjoy the talents of Japanese pianist Keigo Mukawa and Colombian violincellist Santiago Caón-Valencia, who won the competition in 2021 and 2017 respectively.

Unwavering support

Santiago still remembers his victory as if it were yesterday. “I always dreamt of participating in one of the most prestigious competitions in the world”, he says. "This victory provided me with a great opportunity to establish numerous contacts in the field, to work on my professional development, and to perform in concert halls all over Europe."

To promote this young artist, BNP Paribas Fortis also offered its clients the opportunity to attend a series of 11 private performances by Santiago across Belgium in 2018. “I will never forget the amazing welcome that I received and the total freedom that I was given in terms of programming", the cellist says.

Making way for young people

Obviously, Santiago is looking forward to taking to the stage again during this concert series. “Promoting classical music to a younger audience is crucial. Classical music has a rep for serving 'old people' and the initiated, a stereotype that we need to rid ourselves of”, he insists. "The fact that a bank like BNP Paribas Fortis has committed to this makes all the difference. It helps to extend the scope of our art."

The next generation is already waiting in the wings

The next cello competition will take place from 9 May to 4 June 2022. "I wish all the candidates the best: practice hard, forget the jury, play as if you were playing in front of a real audience, and most importantly, have fun!", Santiago Caón-Valencia says in conclusion.

Supporting artists and making culture accessible: another example of Positive Banking.