International artists including Ukrainian, Russian, Israeli and Palestinian’s Sing for Peace
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Blog by Stephen (Sammy) Byrne
It was 1914 and World War 1 was raging in Europe. As dawn broke across the battlefield that Christmas morning Walter Kirchhoff, a German Officer, once a member of the Berlin opera, began singing a carol. The poignancy of the moment moved his own soldiers and their British enemies to join in.
The song paused the war, a Christmas day truce for a few short hours. In a moment of shared humanity the opposing forces cautiously emerged from their trenches, into no man’s land, greeted their enemies, their fellow man and shared some food, drink, cigarettes, a few laughs and many tears, as they told stories of their loved ones at home. Ordinary, decent people.
This year marks 110 years since that moment of brotherly love amidst the horrors or war, inspired by music, a song. Very sadly, unnecessary wars are on the increase across our world where hatred, division, fear, poverty and suffering has become the norm for millions of people.
We approached a few singers and asked them would they replicate that moment in history, the singing of the beautiful song Silent Night, as a demonstration of the power of music to bridge communities at war, in conflict. Their response was remarkable, they came from everywhere including the USA, UK, Ireland, France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Switzerland, and even artists whose countries are at war with each other joined in; Ukraine & Russia and Israel & Palestine. Amazing people, who include 14 year old Sewar Al Ejlah from Gaza whose father was killed there last Christmas.
“Our own singers, replicating that brief moment of joy two centuries ago come from different cultures, religious and ethnic backgrounds. From different countries too, some at war with each other. They want their voices to send a message of peace and love to soldiers everywhere and to all the innocent people across the world whose lives are affected today by the atrocities of war”
“Our shared prayer is for a truce on every battlefield this Christmas day, a moment of respite, a shared hope for a very Silent Night”
At THE BRIDGE we are moved by the bravery of artists who stand united in the defence of the ordinary, the weak, the disadvantaged and those whose voices have been silenced. This Christmas we stand united with the tens of millions of war refugees, displaced from their own homes, whose families have been torn apart, killed and injured.
The Silent Night project was initiated and managed by Irish singer and songwriter Nathan Johnston and supported by London based film director Ben Kavanagh. The music was recorded by Nathan & Des Cullen in Dublin, Ireland.
THANK YOU!
Nathan Johnston, Ireland
Ella Clayton, United Kingdom
Henry Facey, United Kingdom
Ollie Coombes, Bristol
Tetyana Shyshnyak, Ukraine
Fatima Tedeeva, Russia
Anna Verdino, Italy
Harry Hudson-Taylor, Ireland
Sewar Al Ejlah, Gaza, Palestine
Sarife Afonso, Hamburg, Germany
Peter Doran, Ireland
Conor McGloughlin, Ireland
Grace Evans, Ireland
Evie Evans, Ireland
Fin Furey, Ireland
Cian Godfrey, Ireland
Robyn Eckersley, USA
Avivit Caspi, Israel
McKenna Weinbaum, USA
This project celebrates diversity, unity, and the universal language of music. Let’s amplify this message together!
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