By Chung Ah-young
Staff Reporter
The International Vaccine Institute (IVI) will host a charity concert for children at the Grand Theater, Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Seoul, on May 4.
Titled the "IVI Classical Concert Benefit 2010," the concert aims to raise funds to support its research, development and deployment of vaccines to protect children from infectious diseases.
The IVI, based in Korea, is the world´s only international organization devoted exclusively to the development and introduction of new and underutilized vaccines for people in developing countries, especially children.
Renowned musicians such as soprano Kim Hyang-ran, mezzo soprano Kim Su-jung, tenor Ha Man-taek, baritones Woo Ju-ho and Baek Hyun-jin, bass Kim Min-suk, guitarist Jang Seung-ho and flamenco dancer Lola Jang will perform in the two hour-long program together with the Millennium Symphony Orchestra conducted by Seo Hee-tae and the World Vision Children's Choir.
The concert comes a day before Children's Day on May 5, the Korean national holiday devoted to celebrating childhood. More than 200 orphans and children from underprivileged families will attend the concert, and have been invited free of charge,.
Ambassadors and diplomats from more than 25 Embassies in Seoul, including the European Union, the United States, New Zealand, Italy and Norway, as well as signatory countries to the IVI's Establishment Agreement, including India, Spain, Bangladesh and Senegal, will also take part in the event.
``Through this concert, the IVI hopes to spread awareness of our important mission and encourage others to join in the effort to give healthy lives to children of the world,'' said Dr. John D. Clemens, Director-General of the IVI. ``I also would like to see non-signatory countries become the IVI's signatories, and other contributors join a growing number of donors to the Institute and help us realize our shared dream of a world where every child is protected by vaccines.''
For further information, visit www.ivi.int.