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French ambassador, singer-songwriter Keo release a song to help children from disadvantaged families
In order to pay tribute to childhood and support French and Romanian organizations working in this area, the Romanian singer Keo and François Saint-Paul, Ambassador of France to Romania as well as a composer and pianist, joined forces to compose a song entitled “Soarele pe cer” (“The sun in the sky”).
Profits from the release of the track (https://youtu.be/gKeFYd6xsfM) will go back to the Valentina association, which is committed to helping children and families from disadvantaged backgrounds.
At the event organized on Wednesday at the premises of the French Embassy the two did not just present the video, but they also played the song, with the French diplomat accompanying Keo on the piano. The audience was made of the children who are the beneficiaries of the services offered by the Valentina Romania Association, which will receive all the proceeds from the song.
Ambassador Francois Saint-Paul — the composer of the melody — stressed that the musical project conveys a message of hope, happiness and solidarity among generations.
Keo is an extraordinary musician, we both had this idea and I think that as far as culture and creation are involved, we are always smarter when we team up to do something. There was this chemistry between me and Keo. I am a jazz pianist, and for a jazz pianist it's the energy that is important. (...) It was something spontaneous, but then there was of course a bit of work too, Saint-Paul said.
The French diplomat, whose term is running to end in a few days, said that during the three years he served as ambassador to Romania he has traveled a lot through the country and will always keep these memories.
The song conveys a message of hope for the children, for the society, a message of solidarity among generations. A message about what is most important in life: emotion and generosity, this generosity that is particularly embedded in Romania's soul, he added.
Keo praised the skills of the French ambassador who, he said, is "a very talented pianist and artist." He added that they met two years ago through Christophe Gigaudaut, the director of the French Cultural Institute, when they worked together on the "Frenchmania" project.
He added that he hopes this is not his last collaboration with Saint-Paul; "although Francois will leave in a few days for Vienna, I'm sure we will still have the opportunity to play together," he said.
The Valentina Romania Association is based in Bucharest's sector 5, Ferentari neighborhood. It runs an after-school center, helping 40 children from disadvantaged families duly attend school. The children get help with their homework, attend creative and artistic activities, and also receive a hot meal. Their families are also being monitored for social and professional reinsertion.
Valentina Romania also helps 60 children attend kindergarten, paying for their meals and supplies. Overall, the association supports 100 children from 80 families.
The association's funding comes exclusively from private funds and individual donations from other foundations and companies.