Islamabad, June 16, 2026: The Embassy of Romania in Pakistan, in collaboration with the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA), on Tuesday honored the students who successfully completed Pakistan’s pioneering Opera Singing Courses, marking a significant milestone in cultural and artistic cooperation between Romania and Pakistan.
The award ceremony was held at the Romanian Embassy in Islamabad and was attended by Dan Stoenescu, renowned Romanian soprano Georgiana Costea-Glugă, Chairman of the Pakistan-Romania Friendship Association Zaildar Shah, Director General PNCA Muhammad Ayoub Jamali, and Ghulam Muhammad, Incharge of Music Classes at PNCA.
Certificates were awarded to four outstanding students—Imran Parvez Khan, Iria Siona, Ayzer Adeel, and Mohammad Tayyab Akbar—who completed the specialized opera training programme.
The Opera Singing Courses, the first initiative of their kind in Pakistan, are regarded as a landmark achievement in cultural diplomacy between the two countries. The programme offers young Pakistani artists a unique opportunity to explore the traditions of Romanian and European classical and operatic music.
Addressing the ceremony, Ambassador Dan Stoenescu described the graduates as pioneers of a new artistic movement in Pakistan.
“The certificates we present today represent only the first tangible result of a long-term endeavor. These four award recipients are much more than graduates of a course; they are officially the pioneers of opera music in Pakistan,” he said.
“Their dedication, perseverance, and passion have laid the foundations for a new artistic tradition and opened a path for future generations of Pakistani performers.”
Romanian soprano Georgiana Costea-Glugă praised the students for their commitment and progress, noting that their achievements demonstrate the universal power of music to connect cultures and communities.
“These students are opening an entirely new path for future generations and demonstrating that music is a universal language that transcends all borders,” she said. “I am extremely proud of their progress and firmly convinced that this is only the beginning of an extraordinary artistic journey.”
The ceremony marked the culmination of an innovative educational and cultural initiative launched on April 9, 2025. Conducted by Georgiana Costea-Glugă, the courses are held twice weekly at the Pakistan National Council of the Arts and are designed to introduce Pakistani students to the rich heritage of opera while promoting intercultural artistic exchange.
The programme focuses on developing key skills required for lyrical performance, including vocal technique, musical interpretation, stage presence, and artistic expression.
Since its inception, the initiative has served as a successful example of cultural diplomacy, fostering meaningful collaboration between Romanian and Pakistani artists and institutions while creating new avenues for dialogue, learning, and mutual understanding through music.
The Embassy of Romania and PNCA reaffirmed their commitment to expanding artistic and educational opportunities and strengthening cultural relations between the two countries through shared cultural experiences and creative cooperation.
Officials noted that the Opera Singing Courses remain open to aspiring vocalists of all skill levels, offering participants an enriching learning environment under professional guidance and contributing to the growth of opera as an emerging art form in Pakistan.
