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How a stagehand became a concert pianist in Brussels

Lucia Schulten in Brussels
January 3, 2025

Ionut Cibotariu, a Romanian immigrant to Belgium, once dreamed of being a concert pianist. While working as a stagehand at the Flagery Theater in Brussels, he unexpectedly got his big break.

https://p.dw.com/p/4onhb

Ionut Cibotariu was no ordinary stagehand at the Flagey Theater in Brussels, Belgium. The Romanian once aspired to be a concert pianist, having won competitions in his youth.

One day, the theater's jazz program director heard Cibortariu play. Since then, the theater has helped him get on stage.

DW's Lucia Schulten speaks with the discovered talent in Brussels.

DW Mitarbeiterin Lucia Schulten
Lucia Schulten Brussels Correspondent