Mrs. Ioana Răileanu Georgescu, the 29th edition of the "George Georgescu" International Competition took place on May 11th-14th, a competition with tradition, which has become a landmark in Romania and beyond. How would you describe the interest in the competition and the presence of students in Tulcea this year?

Almost every year more than 300 competitors come to Tulcea, competitors from Moldova, Ukraine and in other years also from China.

This year was a great one. The gala had 8 contestants, one better than the other, and it was all the more difficult to choose a Grand Prize winner. The first prize winner was a wonderful pianist named Lucaci Mario Victor, a student at the "Octav Băncilă" Art College in Iasi. He played an exceptional, enchanting "Mefisto Waltz" that electrified the jury. There was another very good pianist, also from Iasi, Jora Tudor Matei; you can't award the Grand Prize to more than one competitor, but he too was outstanding.

To see children from 6-7 years old to 18 years old playing so diligently, so musically is a thrill and a great joy. All the children were exceptional, not to mention the parents who devote themselves to their children, the teachers from the Tulcea High School - the organizers of this competition. You can imagine, for more than 300 children, what the organization means - with 7 sections, in coordination with the jury, which is a top jury. In fact, the quality of a contest depends on the longevity that gives it a position, but also on the jury. We were lucky enough this year, with all his frantic activity, that the master Marin Cazacu returned as president of the competition. All the members of the jury are professors at music universities - from Bucharest, Iasi, Cluj... well-known personalities such as Cătălin Ștefănescu Pătrașcu in low strings, in singing - Mrs Colpoș and Mrs Codreanu, Marin Cazacu was also in low strings and chamber music, in violin - Ioana Croitoru, Professor Căplescu in wind instruments, Dalila Cernătescu in folk music, nai and țambal. They are eminent teachers, whom I see from year to year and they are all enthusiastic and happy to come to Tulcea.

The competition takes place in several venues - the Children's Palace, the Jean Bart Theatre, the National Museum and the George Georgescu School of Arts.

I must also say that this competition, which started in 1993, could not exist if it were not supported by the County Council, the Tulcea Town Hall, the School Inspectorate and successful personalities in Tulcea who have companies that can give a grant.