Georgia hosts iconic actress Sophia Loren
By Salome Modebadze
Monday, June 20
Famous Georgian opera performer Nino Surguladze dedicated her charity event concert For Love to help those who need support for their very survival. The audience gathered at the renovated Opera and Ballet Theatre in Tbilisi, and the charity event had a special guest - iconic Italian actress Sophia Loren, who arrived in Georgia to express her support for young people and children who need special medical intervention.
Walking through the enchanted crowd of her Georgian fans in her elegant black dress on June 15, Sophia was greeted with applause from the very entrance of the building.
Welcoming the Italian star (described as “a woman and actress that we all love, and the symbol of Italy”) Sophia Loren and the Ambassador of the Republic of Italy to Georgia H.E. Antonio Enrico Bartoli emphasized that “this is a night of music, cinema, and dance, but it’s above all a night of love and solidarity”. Expressing his gratitude towards Loren for dedicating herself for helping children in need, the Ambassador welcomed the fact that many other Italian artists contributed to show including the artistic director, set designer, light engineers, and other crew members.
Calling it “a night of three great Ninos” - world known Georgian ballet dancer Nino Ananiashvili interpreted the role of “fragile protagonist” from Federico Fellini’s masterpiece La Strada (The Road) dancing under the “heartbreaking notes” of Fellini’s favorite composer Nino Rota, while Nino Surguladze performed Francis Poulenc’s mini opera. Sophia Loren’s son Carlo Ponti Junior conducted the event.
SOCAR Energy Georgia was the general sponsor of the event. Its Director General Mahir Mammadov said the company follows the tradition of supporting charitable activities of Nino Surguladze’s Desire Tree based on love for children, art, and life.
Apart from gathering around 40 000 GEL through special phone calls during the event, individuals and companies have contributed to saving the lives of four children.
At a press conference afterwards, Nino Surguladze said how happy she was for having such a historic day in Georgia, having Sophia Loren here in the country for a charity concert dedicated to love towards humanity.
Expressing her appreciation towards the entire performance, Sophia Loren praised the ballet dancers but especially emphasized Surguladze’s beautiful voice. She said seeing her son conducting the performance thrilled her as a proud mother.
