A group of 5 Artists and Musicians came to
Israel / Palestine on 31st of October
2007, to explore the possibility of having a
music bus in Palestine and planning children’s
music projects, demonstrating to potential
partners something of the style of working
musicians without boarders (mainly with
children).
Musicians without Borders is an organization
established during the Kosovo war by a
multicultural community of musicians based in
The Netherlands. Touring several Balkan
countries, they gathered musicians from all
ethnic groups to make music together.
This organization is working on the following
objectives: to heal the wounds of war, to
reconcile peoples torn apart by conflict, to
help children develop identities based in
connectedness and self esteem, and to build
peaceful, multicultural societies.
AEI was responsible of organizing their project/ schedule in
Bethlehem, Hebron and Bethany areas in addition
to their staying with families during their
meetings in Bethlehem. Regarding their stay in
Bethlehem, They
visited two refuge camps, Al-Rowwad Center in
the Aida Camp and Ibda’ Center in Al Dihesha
Camp. Core talks were about how these centers
integrated music and arts in developing kid’s
talents and peace building through music. They
also talked with Mr. Said Murad, director of
Sabreen Center and Mr. Sami Awad, director of
Holly Land Trust and Edward Said Music
Conservatory. Of course every organization
talked about its programs, projects, and
activities in the field Arts and Music. Also,
they have a workshop in Artas village at Artas
Folklore Heritage Center with girls group. They
had a wonderful tour in Bethlehem streets, old
city and the churches (Nativity and Milk Grotto
Church).
Regarding their visit to Hebron City, they
met Mr. Sameeh Abu Zakieh, director of
Children’s Center for Arts. Mr. Sameeh explained
the difficult life of the hebronites, dreams and
realities in arts and music, and children’s
under occupation and how much they are looking
for a brighter life. In their tour in Hebron
they visited the biggest theater in the West
Bank. Children’s Center for Arts in which Mr.
Sameeh talked about the history and work. When
they entered the Old city of Hebron, they saw
and felt the suffering, humiliation and the
miserable life, difficult situation but in spite
of that, they were touched by the sumud spirit
(steadfast) and hope of living in people’s mind
and heart.
Regarding Bethany (Azarieh)
meeting with Mr. Noubar Vosgueritchian, director
of Vision Center for Culture and Arts, he talked
about the idea of building a music center in a
village that lack a clear vision in the field of
culture and arts especially in music.
The last day of musician without borders was at the AEI premises.
They watch pantomime drama for “St. George and
the Dragon” for the preparatory group directed
by Mr. Anton Mura. They participated in
socio-cultural activity with the University and
Post graduates youth groups Anne Affourtit, a
well-known dancer, has worked for years with
people, prisoners, mentally handicapped and
children also has trained as an arts therapist,
demonstrated with AEI members some body
movements that expressed feelings and drawings.
Afterwards, Mr. Merlijn Twaalfhoven, a composer,
artist and professor, demonstrated with his
viola, and accompanied AEI members with a
musical simple performance. At the end all the
AEI youth members sang songs for the most famous
singer in Lebanon and the Middle East Fairouz.
Laura Hassler, director of Musicians without Boarders, thanked the AEI
and its staff members for all the coordination
and support. Also, for taking and welcoming this
initiative in spreading the culture of music
among kids, youngsters and adults.
