Protectors of the Earth
Mountains
2700m, a grand piano, an orchestra, a choir. 50 musicians in the Pirin mountain landscape.
2,700 m · Grand piano · 50 musicians · Choir
Chapter 01 · 97 m
The idea
Aramis performed at 2,700 metres in Bulgaria’s Pirin mountains with a grand piano, the Bulgarian Elitzi Choir and musicians from the Sofia Philharmonic. The resulting film lets audiences experience on the big screen how music, nature and people meet face to face.
Amid breathtaking landscapes, unique moments and a fascinating background story, the film tells us something about the extraordinary world we live in. “Protectors of the Earth” connects Mannheim and Bansko. It is the beginning of an international series that promotes cultural exchange, creative collaboration and the European idea. We live in an extraordinary world – sometimes without noticing it.
You know something is crazy when everyone tells you it's impossible. This is exactly that kind of idea.
Chapter 02 · 97 m
Who we are
Aramis is an ensemble of more than 100 young people from the Rhine-Neckar region, most of them between 16 and 25. We organise and lead it ourselves, and we combine orchestral music with dance, theatre, acrobatics and film.
Our host organisation is the Interkulturelles Haus Mannheim (IKHM), a non-profit. Our city is a UNESCO City of Music.
- Main prize “Demokratisch Handeln” · 2024
- Jugendbildungspreis Baden-Württemberg · 2024
Chapter 03 · 936 m
Departure
The shoot needed partners on the ground. The Bulgarian Elitzi Choir and instrumentalists of the Sofia Philharmonic joined in. The Municipality of Bansko, ULEN AD and Pirin National Park opened the way up the mountain.
About 15 more young people took care of film, organisation, press and international coordination.
Chapter 04 · 1,900 m
The climb
2025, Todorka, 2,700 metres. The summit lies in Pirin National Park, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site. We brought the whole orchestra, the choir and a concert grand up there.
50 musicians played in the snow. What remains of it is in the film.
Chapter 05 · 2,700 m
Summit
Two films came out of it: a ten-minute music film and a 57-minute documentary. Music, nature and people meet head-on, set against a snowstorm of global crises. Or perhaps a search for something we still lack in life.
The message: despite all crises, don't lose sight of the possibilities and remarkable moments in nature, culture and society.
- 10 min music film
- 57 min documentary
- Concept to post-production: made by young people
- Almost a year: concept 2025 to premieres in February 2026
Chapter 06 · 2,700 m
Back in the valley
In February 2026 the film reached the cinema. Twice.
Mannheim · 11 February 2026
Premiere at Cineplex Mannheim, sold out.
- Thorsten Riehle, Mayor for Labour, Social Affairs, Economy and Culture of the City of Mannheim, praised the young people as a model for how creative collaboration can work in society.
- Elena Gerina spoke for the Bulgarian delegation and on behalf of Bansko's mayor Stoycho Banenski. She stressed the link between Mannheim as a UNESCO City of Music and Pirin as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site.
- Rebecca Raab of the International Film Festival Mannheim-Heidelberg (IFFMH) spoke on why fostering creativity and cultural values matters, especially for young people.
Bansko · 27 February 2026
A concert of the Aramis Orchestra opened the evening. The audience was taken most by the fusion of nature and music. The evening marked the start of an international cooperation between Mannheim and Bansko.
Photos from the premiere
Chapter 07 · 97 m
Recognition
17 newspapers and Bulgarian national television reported on the shoot. Pirin National Park sent an official letter of commendation and thanks for the musical and cinematic achievement.
Mayor Banenski's closing message put it this way: with committed young people, motivation and a bold, unconventional idea, you can create something that crosses borders and truly matters to people. Where culture is strong and young people are empowered to create, new ideas and social progress emerge.
- 17 newspapers
- Bulgarian national television
- Letter of thanks from Pirin National Park
Chapter 08 · 97 m
What's next
Mountains is the first part of an international series. It connects young people, cultural institutions and companies through music and art.
The next part leads to Morocco.
End credits
- Orchestra
- Aramis Orchestra
- Choir
- Elitzi Choir
- Instrumentalists
- Sofia Philharmonic
- In cooperation with
- Municipality of Bansko
- ULEN AD
- Pirin National Park
- Host organisation
- Interkulturelles Haus Mannheim
- Premiere partners
- Cineplex Mannheim
- International Film Festival Mannheim-Heidelberg
- Within
- UNESCO City of Music Mannheim
SWR feature
The orchestra on TV
A feature by SWR about Aramis. The link opens YouTube in a new tab.
Watch on YouTubeGet involved
Support us
Aramis is run by young people. Every donation helps with the next project.
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Project Desert 2027
Protectors of the Earth – Desert. A cooperation with Morocco.
To the project
If music can create meaningful moments in life — then why not more of them?