Music is an extremely powerful and unifying language. A universal medium speaks to everyone across all borders. It can bring peace in people’s hearts and minds as it overcomes linguistic barriers. Music builds bridges that connect people from different parts of the globe and common appreciation of cultural diversity. It is a great tool to spread messages of peace, tolerance, shared humanity and promote cultural diplomacy, in which I strongly believe.
One thing I have been doing a lot of during confinement is listen to a considerable amount of music. I absolutely love music and can not imagine my world without it. Through my career as a dancer, and subsequently as a Director and Artistic Director, music has been a central part of not only of my professional life, but also my personal life.
Opera for Peace – Leading Young Voices of the World, is a passion project born of the conviction that the current system needs re-invention: new ideas, values and priorities are necessary if opera (and culture more generally) is to flourish into the future.
Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe are countries in Southern Africa with great cultural diversity. Where music plays a central role, withholding immense rich musical traditions, there is also a lack of music education institutions.
During times of crisis and depression, music has always been our source of sanctuary, salvation and even seduction. It can communicate the solidarity of our society even when countries have differing and dividing policies.
I am happy to send this contribution for the opening of this blog powered by EMMA for Peace, albeit at a time of such uncertainty for the performing arts and artists everywhere.
This is the first blog community dedicated to collecting the most inspiring stories on music diplomacy from all over the world, bringing together experiences and reflections from musicians, scholars, experts, diplomats, activists and journalists working in the field.
Music diplomacy is a particular form of cultural diplomacy. As a universal language that breaks down language barriers and cultural differences, music promotes cooperation, understanding and mutual respect among people, communities and nations thus contributing to a culture of peace.
Music diplomacy is about learning, listening, sharing and connecting.
#musidiplomacy
