It was in Jerusalem, in 2017, that the idea for What About Us was born, an ambitious anti-war music led live stage experience that could inspire change. It would have to be epic!
It’s interesting that Jerusalem is the spiritual home for three major religions Islam, Judaism and Christianity. Yet Jerusalem, Israel, and Palestine, is a warzone where hatred and mistrust prevails.
An immediate impression back then was that there was no real political will on either side of the conflict to progress peace initiatives and only piecemeal support for cross community projects that could contribute to building trust, helping the people better understand each other.
You could feel the tension. Very sadly this escalated dramatically in October 2023 and incredible atrocities were committed in the Holy Land. This has escalated the violence into a war. As always, those suffering the most are the innocent people, children, their families.
Unfortunately, there are too many leaders on both sides of the conflict building walls, dividing people, rather than building bridges, exploring solutions.
And then one day we were lucky enough to witness a private gathering of Israeli and Palestinian musicians. Within a few minutes of playing music together the tensions left the room, the anxious faces turned to smiles. That was the lightbulb moment. Music and song connect people. That night overlooking the old city of Jerusalem What About Us was born.
And our ambition laid out; anything we do must be large scale, a live stage experience so powerful that it can move people to action, so entertaining that it can travel the world and secure a residency in London and New York. We set the bar very high and our focus, our goal, our belief is that we can reach it, maybe surpass it.
Over the next three years and during Covid Shoshi and the team brought together Israeli and Palestinian musicians, (which can be very dangerous for the individuals) oversaw online workshops, and introduced them to composers, songwriters, musicians from all of the world. Together they have created over 300 pieces of original music/songs.
Shoshi organized a party and jamming session for the artists in 2021
Such was the comradery amongst the team that the Israeli artists organized a small concert, which was live streamed, as a fundraiser for some of their Palestinian colleagues that were suffering from the Covid lockdown.
Many of the musicians, composers, songwriters, and singers who were helping to develop What About Us have been personally affected by the recent violence. We can only hope that the next phase of intense creative development, scheduled for 2024, can take place. We are targeting workshops in Israel and Palestine, subject to the safety of everyone.
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The fundraising concert will be recorded by the musicians and then broadcast as a live concert on Facebook and other social media channels on Saturday 15th August at 20.00 UK/Ireland,
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It is always easier to sit in the audience than go on stage and perform. From the comfort of a theatre seat, in the semi darkness, you can remain anonymous
Walid Salem has been director of the Center for Democracy and Community Development (CDCD) in East Jerusalem since 1993. He teaches democracy and human rights at Al-Quds University in Jerusalem,
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