All in WORLD
In my second year as a violin student at the Curtis Institute of Music, my right arm started going numb from my elbow to my fingertips on a fairly regular basis. It was sort of like how your limbs feel right before they fall asleep: not full-on pins and needles, but a dull, hot emptiness, like there was no blood to keep that piece of me alive and vibrant.
In the spring of 2017, I was looking through my family’s security box for my social security card. I came across a document from 1988 signed by the United Nations High Commissioner of Refugees; it had my family’s last name on it. Puzzled, I approached my parents. What on earth was my family doing with the UNHCR? “You should probably sit down for this,” said my father.
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.
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
