Peacemaking Hits the Pop Scene
by: Dave Belden on July 20th, 2009 | 1 Comment »
In my twenties in England I couldn’t not know whenever the Eurovision Song Contest was happening: it was a big deal. I can’t say I have paid any attention to it in recent decades. But a friend just sent me this to post. She wrote:
Some of you music lovers may know that each year, for 53 years, the Eurovision Song Contest has brought thousands of international singers and songs into the limelight.This year, 42 countries participated in the final competition at the Olimpiysky Indoor Arena in Moscow.
The Israeli entry was a beautiful duet, “There Must be Another Way,” performed by a unique Israeli-Palestinian pair: Noa (Achinoam Nini) and Mira Anwar Arad. Noa is an Israel singer-songwriter superstar and Mira is a Palestinian songwriter and actress. The song is a stunning hymn for peace. Check it out on YouTube:
I hope you like it as much as I do. I’m so glad to see that peacemaking is hitting the pop scene! It’s a terrific way to get the word out! Martha Roden
Thanks Dave for posting my comment!
It sure looks like music may very well be our greatest peacemaking tool. And why not? All human beings sing, dance, and play musical instruments, no matter what culture they’re part of or what part of the planet they inhabit.
Surely a species that can make beautiful music together can find a way to create peace.
And wouldn’t you know it, I found a wonderful Website that does just that: Playing for Change.
Playing for Change was founded on the belief that:
“We have to inspire each other to come together as a human race and music is the best way to do this. [...] We can do a lot more for this world if we work together than we ever can apart.”
The project started four years ago with the recording of a street musician in Santa Monica, CA performing, “Stand by Me.” The project crew members then traveled around the world, recording the same song performed by musicians in India, the Himalayas, Africa, the U.S., and Europe. And they continue to add more musicians each day. None of these musicians have ever met, yet the music has brought them together … and the results are beautiful.
See and hear for yourself: http://www.playingforchange.com/journey/introduction
Martha