The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
CONCERT KICKS OFF INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL
Heritage of Sacred Music concert brings together churches to celebrate their diverse spiritual and cultural heritages
The 41st annual Heritage of Sacred Music concert June 20 at Lorain’s St. Peter Parish at 3655 Oberlin Ave., kicked off a week’s worth of events coinciding with Lorain International Festival.
The evening featured choral performances by the congregations of St. Peter Parish, First Lutheran Church and Nativity of the Blessed Virgin as well as the Lorain Hungarian Folklore Group and the International Festival Princesses. The musical selections varied between traditional hymns, some selections sung in Hungarian and Polish in addition to some Italian hymns as homage to this year’s festival honoring the area’s Italian heritage.
The evening concluded with a special combined choral performance of “All Creatures of Our God and King” conducted by Angela Bak.
The 41st edition of the concert was coordinated by Anthony Trifiletti, St. Peter Parish director of music and liturgy.
“These people give thousands of hours over a year to make sure the international festival is a first-class event to celebrate the cultural history of Lorain.”
— Lorain International Association President Ben Davey
The International Festival kickoff event also included performances by the Lorain Hungarian Folk Group and the International Festival Princesses who performed a rendition of “Let There Be Peace on Earth.”
In his introductory remarks Lorain International Association President Ben Davey said the organizing committee looked forward to carrying on the festival’s rich traditions in addition to trying a few new things for the 51st edition.
Davey praised the allvolunteer effort which sees thousands of hours donated in putting the festival together in a celebration of Lorain’s cultural heritage.
“These people give thousands of hours over a year to make sure the international festival is a first-class event to celebrate the cultural history of Lorain,” Davey said.
Pastor Jimmy Madsen of Lorain’s First Lutheran Church served as master of ceremonies. Madsen, who is set to retire after more than 30 years at Lorain’s First Lutheran, has been hosting the event for 36 consecutive years.
The Lorain International Festival is a weeklong celebration of diversity and Lorain’s identity as the International City. The festival will follow with the International Princess Pageant at 7 p.m. June 21 at Lorain High School’s new stateof-the-art facility at 2600 Ashland Ave. Tickets are $1 and can be purchased at the door.