The “West-Eastern Divan”

The West-Eastern Divan is a very special symphonic orchestra that was founded by Edward Said and Daniel Barenboim in Weimar/Germany in 1999 in light of the on-going bloody conflict in the Middle East. The musicians who are between the ages of 14 and 25 are recruited in countries like Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Jordan and Tunesia. The name 'West Eastern Divan' refers to a collection of poems by J. W. Goethe.
The text below is taken from their website and it states some basic truths:

"The orchestra is a humanitarian idea. [...] Our project may not change the world, but it is a step forward. It is an ongoing dialogue, where the universal, metaphysical language of music links with the continuous dialogue that we have with young people, and that young people have with each other.
We don’t see ourselves as a political project, but rather as a forum where young people from Israel and all the Arab countries can express themselves freely and openly whilst at the same time hearing the narrative of the other. It is not necessarily a question of accepting the narrative of the other, let alone agreeing with it, but rather the indispensable need to accept its legitimacy. We believe in only two absolutely necessary political ideas:

- There is no military solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
- The destinies of the Israeli and Palestinian people are inextricably linked and the land that some call Greater Israel and others Palestine is a land for two people.

[...] It is my belief that although music cannot solve any problems, [...] our project is very much in opposition to the cruelty and savagery that denies so many innocent civilians the possibility to continue living, fulfilling their ideas and dreams. It also shows me that so many lessons of the past have either been forgotten or never understood. [...] How long will it take for people in the region to accept this and remember that the past is but a transition to the present and the present a transition to the future? Therefore, a violent and cruel present will inevitably lead to an even more cruel and violent future.

Every member of this orchestra, regardless of their origin, shows a remarkable amount of courage, understanding and vision by coming here. I would like to think of them as pioneers in a new way of thinking for the Middle East. [...]"

[Daniel Barenboim]

I saw a documentary about them and I have been a "fan" since. I believe this to be a wonderful and important project and the words that D. Barenboim expresses above reflect some universal truths. Projects like these do not only give people in the Middle East hope, they give all of mankind hope - hope that one fine day we will learn from our mistakes, that one fine day we will live in peace...all around the globe.

I posted a photo of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, because it epitomizes another east-western conflict. Berlin was the 'eye of the storm', the epi-center of a potentially deadly conflict between the west and the east. Berlin and the Brandenburg Gate symbolize the separation as much as the unity of Germany - and ultimately the world - a world that for more than 4 decades existed on the brink of total annihilation. For me, the Brandenburg Gate is a symbol of hope...peace is possible...dreams can come true.
As the world has managed to overcome the Cold War, it is my profound hope that we will overcome diversity in the long run and that we - i. e. all of mankind - will some day (to quote John Lennon) live as one.
Take care, everyone!

PS: If you're interested...I've posted the link to their website below (see label).