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Carried by the Wind
April 17, 2008 |
A Percussion
Music Project at the Sumud Peace House, a
branch of the Arab Educational Institute
near the Wall at Rachel's Tomb - Bethlehem.
In the
evening of the 17th of April 2008, there was
a percussion-music-project of a Dutch
musician called Merlijn Twaalhoven close to
the watchtower and the Separation Wall at
Rachel's Tomb. The Whole event was co
organized, coordinated and co implemented by
the Dutch musician Merlijn and local and
international singers and musicians, Sabreen
Percussion Band, Al Ruwad 50 Children from
Aida Camp and the Arab Educational Institute
– Sumud / Peace House Bethlehem.
From several
roofs and balconies of the surrounding
houses percussion-music was played and
carried by the wind brought the message of
borderlessness over the wall through the
"Israeli Corridor" of Rachel's Tomb to the
other side, where Aida-Camp lies, which
belongs again to Bethlehem. All the day, the
musicians and technicians were busy to
arrange this evening.
The most
touchy thing was the engagement of about 50
children from Aida-Camp. They were very
happy to show, what they have learned and
prepared on their percussion-instruments and
also with their own voices. To rise your
voice, to make music with instruments, both
carried by the wind is a great symbolic act,
that in fact of this wall and all the
injustices that are related to it even
Palestinian children don't stay quiet. They
had fun and raised their voices against
these Israeli policies. For that, the
performance was a real success, and to let
participate children at such non-violent,
peaceful acts of SUMUD, steadfastness, is a
great idea. The song and music expressed the
strong will, determination and steadfastness
of the two Bethlehemites communities to
communicate in spite of the wall
restrictions and checkpoints. It was a new
creative type of musical concert that
crossed and conveyed a message of peace,
justice and freedom.
The AEI:
Open Windows represented in its
administration, board staff, international
volunteers, EAPPI / World Council of
Churches, youth groups members especially (
Noubar Vosgueritchian, the music teacher,
Milad's brother, AEI general youth
coordinator), welcomed participated, co
organized and offered soft drinks and
cookies to the visitors at their Sumud Peace
House.
For the
future, we should do such things often, more
and again at this place. With this
experience, we even could improve this kind
of music: More microphones and loudspeakers,
more clear organization of the beginning and
the ending of the concert, more melodic and
maybe well-know songs (even the Palestinian
Anthem for all visitors, who could join
singing and would participate also at this
act of SUMUD) are ideas, i would like to see
realized next time. But all in all, I think
it was a success, because people meet on the
street, enjoyed common time, listened and
talked, and had the feeling, that the
message of freedom was carried by the wind
over all walls and borders.
Prepared by Matthias
German Volunteer at the Sumud / Peace House
