Music has always had the power to bring people together, to move them and to create bonds. With the MY PEACE - Music of Youth project, it also becomes a tool for engaging young people in peace building. This innovative project offers young people a captivating and accessible way to get involved, using music as a means of expression and intercultural dialogue.
Music is an essential component of cultural identity, and culture itself is a fundamental vehicle for understanding and empathy. This is the basis of MY PEACE, an international programme that encourages young people to explore peace through musical creation. This project is being implemented in several countries: Ukraine, Germany, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ireland, Denmark and France.
In Bordeaux, the workshops took place at the Rocher de Palmer, coordinated by Musique de Nuit and supported by LABA. These immersive sessions allowed the young participants to use music as a universal language to convey a message of peace.
The project was organised over two days of discovery and experimentation, led by Souleymane Diamanka and Ophélia Hié and with the participation of 10 youths.
The workshop began with a group discussion on the concept of peace, before the participants set about writing a rhyming text on their own vision of the subject. With the help of Souleymane Diamanka, they refined their creations through readings and constructive feedback.
In the afternoon, it was time for music with Ophélia Hié: discovering and playing traditional African instruments, such as the balafon, for an unprecedented sound immersion. An opportunity for young people to learn about new sounds and to co-create a collective melody.
The second day was devoted to refining the texts, before they were set to music and recited to a guitar accompaniment. The afternoon marked the culmination of the workshop: a collective performance where the poetry of the words mingled with the sounds of African instruments, creating a unique moment of harmony and sharing.
More than just a workshop, MY PEACE gave young people the chance to enjoy a complete artistic experience, involving them in a process ranging from writing to musical performance. This project offered them a space for free and benevolent expression, where music becomes a powerful tool for conveying ideas and fostering dialogue.
By exploring orality and creativity, participants strengthened their ability to structure and express their thoughts. The group dynamic also taught them the importance of listening, dialogue and collaboration, all valuable skills for actively engaging in the construction of a more inclusive and peaceful world.
To find out more about the MY PEACE project: MY PEACE Project