On May 2nd, EUEI, the MY PEACE Partner from Denmark, hosted a music session as part of their collaboration with the project. EUEI reached out to classically trained musicians and members of a Community Choir by email and gathered an engaged group together for the session.
The Community Choir was born from the desire to heal, unite, and inspire in the wake of tragedy. This choir has long stood as a symbol of hope, reconciliation, and the power of young voices to bridge divides in the community.
EUEI facilitators led a discussion on the impact of music on peacebuilding, as well as the emotional impact of performance. Participants shared their experiences of conflict, overcoming the negative impact of conflict on them and the role music played in that. This then led to discussions on the shared experiences and on how music could be used to support peacebuilding and conflict resolution in their future activities.
The session ended with a group performance of BIKO, a powerful tribute to South African activist Steve Biko, whose life and death became a rallying cry against apartheid. This song not only remembers a man who stood for justice, but also reminds us of the role music plays in resistance, healing, and peacebuilding.
Following the performance, Kathryn O’Brien of EUEI closed the session, stating ‘Music has the unique ability to carry truth across borders and generations. Let this performance be a reminder that through harmony—both musical and human—we can build a more just and peaceful world.”