Paata Burchuladze, the internationally-renowned operatic bass, has joined forces with WFP to draw attention to the plight of street children in his native Georgia.

Opera star Paata Burchuladze was born in Tblisi, the capital of Georgia, in 1955, and saw the country at its economic best as he grew up; it was a time when many Georgians had an opportunity to follow their dreams.

For Burchuladze, the dream was opera. After beginning his studies at Tiblisi’s Conservatory of Music, the young bass singer went on to complete them at Milan ’s Teatro alla Scala, from where his career took off.

PRIZE WINNER

After winning Italy’s prestigious Voci Verdiane competition in 1981, Burchuladze took first prize at the eminent Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow the following year.

He went on to London's Royal Opera House, where he made his debut in 1982 as Ramfis in Giuseppe Verdi’s “Aida”.

Legendary conductor Herbert von Karajan subsequently referred to him as the second Fjodor Schaljapin, after Burchuladze sang the role of Commendatore in Mozart's “Don Giovanni” at the Salzburg Festival in 1987.

PAINFUL TRANSITION

But as Burchuladze’s career continued to soar, his country was grappling with a painful transition after gaining independence from the former Soviet Union in 1991.

Georgia, which once enjoyed the highest standard of living in the Soviet Union, today faces a collapsing economy, territorial disputes and armed conflicts. And the difficulties facing the country are growing.

“Grinding poverty affects more than 60 percent of the population of over five million people, and the numbers continue to grow," says Pippa Bradford, WFP’s country director in Georgia. "WFP is here to assist these people in this most difficult transition.”

FOOD ASSISTANCE

The UN agency, which has worked in Georgia since 1993, currently provides food assistance to over 200,000 needy people throughout the country.

Many are unemployed or have incomes so low that they are unable to buy staple foods, the prices of which have soared to world market levels.

Street children - a phenomenon that never used to exist in Georgia - have begun to appear, and soup kitchens for the elderly have sprouted up around the country.

AUTHORITATIVE VOICE

In 2003, WFP went in search of an authoritative voice to call attention to Georgia’s plight. Burchuladze, respected for his talent and goodwill both abroad and in his homeland, seemed the obvious choice.

STREET CHILDREN

After visiting a shelter for street children in Tblisi supported by WFP, a concerned Burchuladze decided to establish a charity fund to help children who, due to severe economic hardship, were forced to leave school and their families and work or beg.

“WFP opened my eyes,” he told the Georgian press. “Only after meeting with them did I realise this problem and make the decision to do something for children.”

In June 2003 Burchuladze held a Jubilee Concert at Tblisi Opera House. Singers from around the world performed at the event, and the country’s president and other celebrities were among the audience as Burchuladze invited WFP’s former regional director Saeed Malik onto the stage to talk about the agency’s operations in Georgia.

DETERMINED SPOKESMAN

The following summer Burchuladze hosted a charity concert in Tbilisi in aid of Georgia’s street children, for whom the opera star has become a determined spokesman.

“I talked to the President of Georgia about the problems of street children and I talked to many Georgian celebrities and they too are ready to support them,” he said.

“My artistic life is scheduled three to four years ahead of time, but I will return to Georgia immediately if my work for the children requires it.”

Another charity concert was held in October 2004, this time with the participation of a number of famous Georgian vocalists. Again, the emphasis was on the plight of needy children, and again the Maestro took the opportunity to publicise their cause.

CATCH THE MOMENT

Burchuladze, who believes that “you must catch the moment, not lose it”, stresses that his moment to help has arrived.

“WFP and I can do many beautiful things together,” he said recently in a meeting with Bradford.

“We have the same goal, and our partnership will be a guarantee of success. Call me any time you need my support and you will get it,” he assured her.