"Music is the universal language of mankind" ~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Daniel Barenboim, an Israeli-Palestinian pianist and conductor, has taken Longfellow's words as a way of fostering peace in the Middle East. He has served as a music director in many orchestras and has made numerous recordings. In this article he said, “…I believe that the destinies of the Israeli people and the Palestinian people are inextricably linked," Barenboim said. "We are blessed - or cursed - to live with each other. And I prefer the first."
Barenboim has conducted countless concerts in the West Bank, and in 2007, he was scheduled to play a baroque concert in war-stricken Gaza. Although he received permission from Israeli authorities, he was denied entrance into Gaza at the border, and was told he needed individual permission to enter. A year later, after performing in Ramallah, Barenboim accepted honorary Palestinian citizenship, making him the first Jewish-Israeli citizen to be granted Palestinian citizenship. He hoped his acceptance of citizenship would serve as a model for peace.
Needless to say, Barenboim is revered by many, but loathed by others. I can’t help but think he’s one of the bravest musicians of all time.
After receiving Palestinian citizenship, Barenboim returned to Gaza. According to this post, he gave a speech to the audience about his dual-citizenship, saying “So you see it is possible to be both." He described the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as one "of two peoples who are convinced they have the right to live in the same little piece of land. Therefore, our destinies are linked”.
Barenboim also recently traveled to Imjingak near Korea’s Demilitarized Zone on the country’s Independence Day. In this video, he said he hoped his efforts would encourage “understanding, patience, courage and curiosity to listen to one another”.
When so many diplomats debate the same topics over and over again around a big oval table, Barenboim has been able to take something that we all understand -music- to promote peace. He has chosen to show the common humanity of all people, even if they are in a war, and remind them of the possibilities if peace is achieved.
The medium that Barenboim has choose is a universal language, and while some still prefer negotiation over noisy cell-phone chatter or fighting over laws and bills, Barenboim remains confident of music’s ability to act as a unifying force. It’s inspiring to see people using different methods of translating reconciliation, whether that is through music or art or humor. When we can find things that we all mutually agree on and enjoy, the idea of peace becomes less distant.
Sure the idea of ‘world peace’ is far-reaching, and although Barenboim’s music isn’t going to stop the wars or end the violence, he represents the voices who want to forge the bridges, not burn them.
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