After an initial day of meetings and discussions on February 26, the My Peace project continued on March 3 and 4 with two days of creative workshops at Rocher de Palmer. Ledby poet Souleymane Diamanka and musician Ophelia Hié, these workshops invited participants to explore the theme of peace through writing and musical composition.
From the very first moments of the workshop, there was a certain hesitation in the room. Despite their enthusiasm, many participants were unsure about the writing process, doubting their poetic abilities. But Souleymane Diamanka quickly reassured them with a simple truth: “Writing is just an extension of thought. If you can think, you can write.
”To break the ice, the workshop began with word and rhyme games to gradually narrow down to the central theme: peace and Souleymane additionally shared a structured writingapproach based on five key elements:
With these tools, what initially seemed intimidating became a personal and accessible exercise. One by one, participants brought their words to life, crafting pieces that spoke rugby, chess, languages, and a range of poetic imagery. The goal was not just to write about peace but to feel it, embody it, and express it in unique and meaningful ways.
Meanwhile, Ophelia Hié led a musical composition workshop. She arrived with a mix of instruments like balafons, percussion etc, inviting participants to discover and experiment them. Beyond just a musical exploration, this workshop became a symbolic journey centered around respect, active listening, and collaboration. Far from being a traditional music lesson, it highlighted a powerful idea: just as every instrument has its own voice and role, so does each individual. From this shared experience, an original composition emerged, balancing personal expression with collective harmony. The workshop carried a profound lesson that extends far beyond music: learning to coexist, collaborate without losing oneself, and embrace differences with respect. A deep message of friendship and peace.
On March 4th, the poetic and musical worlds merged for a collective performance. Participants shared the texts and melodies they had refined with the guidance of Souleymane and Ophelia. One striking realization surfaced: at the beginning of the process, many of the writings about peace defined it through its opposite war with references to politics and conflicts. But as discussions deepened and creativity took over, their perspectives shifted. Peace was no longer just an abstract concept; it became an intimate experience, summed up in powerful phrases like: “My peace is making my mother proud.”
A simple yet powerful statement: peace begins within. While global peace is crucial, the peace we cultivate within ourselves is fundamental; it is something no one can take away.The message of these workshops is clear: inner peace is the foundation of a greater, shared,and lasting peace.Over these two days, young participants gave voice and rhythm to their own vision of peace.The experience, filled with emotion, creativity, and discovery, fully embodies the My Peaceproject’s motto: build bridges of dialogue through youth, art and personal expression.