This article was published at StepFeed on April 19, 2016
Even as the war in Syria continues to make headlines across the world, hundreds of Syrian and international artists are coming together to call for peace in the second edition of the Global Week for Syria music festival, which will be held in over 30 different locations between April 17 and May 1.
Launching on April 17, the festival will continue through May 1. It will seek to create and diffuse an alternative narrative on Syria and Syrian refugees, while serving as a reminder of the shared heritage and identity of the Syrian people, five years into the war.
Performances and events will take place between the Middle East, Europe and the United States to raise awareness, and encourage artistic endeavors between Syrian and international musicians.Hannibal Saad, the initiator and artistic leader of the event, sees the musical venture as a way to celebrate the “miracle of peace through music.”
“For me it is a week of sharing music with the world; of celebrating the miracle of peace through music … Since the war in Syria shattered our lives, I decided not to take things for granted … Having a week like that is a miracle in itself … We want to share with the world beautiful things about Syria [sic].”
Countries hosting the various performances, conferences, and talks this year include the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, the United States, France, Austria, Spain, Germany, Denmark, Canada, Ukraine, Malawi and of course Lebanon; where the event was officially kicked off in Beirut’s UNESCO palaceon April 18, with special performances by the Fayha Choir, Sonbola and Basmeh and Zeitouneh.
If you’re in Beirut this week, here’s what you need to know about local performances.
For international events, you can follow the festival’s Facebook page for round the clock updates. Performances will also be livestreamed under the #4Syria hashtag and via syrianmusiclives.com.
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Global Week for #Syria starts today.Venues worldwide #4Syriahttps://t.co/gC65kv1M02 pic.twitter.com/AAsCjwyWns
— Hugh Sykes (@HughSykes) April 17, 2016
Using the words of the organizers, “let the guns be silent for the music to play.”
