El Sistema Greece in collaboration with Megaron The Athens Concert Hall, UNICEF Greece Country Office, International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Social Integration Office of the Controlled Temporary Accommodation Facility of Asylum Seekers at Schisto organized a human and musical encounter between musicians of the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France and young asylum seekers in Athens (12-14 March 2024).
A first encounter happened with El Sistema Greece in collaboration with Megaron The Athens Concert Hall, UNICEF Greece Country Office and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) with a musical performance by some musicians of the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France and their music director Mikko Franck at an IOM’s shelter for unaccompanied minors in Athens. The event was a celebration of cultural exchange and a proof that the power of music unites people.
El Sistema Greece seized the opportunity by providing the youth with the opportunity to get in touch with the music of the orchestra for the first time. The musicians of the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France, ambassador of UNICEF France, and maestro Mikko Franck, ambassador of UNICEF France, offered their support to the event, underlining its commitment to using music as a tool for positive change. George Perris international singer and ambassador of UNICEF Greece was present, sharing words of solidarity with unaccompanied minors, highlighting the importance of providing avenues for creative expression and community participation. Giannis Vakarelis, the Artistic Director of Megaron The Athens Concert Hall, was also present to support this initiative for the promotion of music as a means of unity and positive change.
The concert not only provided a space for artistic expression but also enhanced the essential cultural exchange between the musicians of the orchestra and the unaccompanied minors of the IOM shelter. Through music, barriers were transcended and bonds were created, highlighting the transformative role of the arts in promoting understanding and empathy.
The IOM Facility operates in collaboration with the General Secretariat for Vulnerable Persons & Institutional Protection of the Ministry of Migration and Asylum and is funded by the Swiss government
A second encounter took place, El Sistema Greece in collaboration with the Social Integration Office of the Controlled Temporary Accommodation Facility of Asylum Seekers at Schisto organized a visit of the musicians of the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France, Mikko Franck and international soloist violinist Vilde Frang, artist in residence at Radio France this year, to the facility. The members of the orchestra attended violin and viola classes while the El Sistema Greece students played some pieces especially for them. Afterwards, the musicians of the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France offered a performance for the students which was followed by a discussion where the orchestra members answered questions about music and gave the children inspiration for the continuation of their musical journey.
Following the event Jean-Baptiste Leclère, percussionist of the orchestra shared with us: “With music, we can share a lot of emotions and be connected together, because it’s the same language for everyone, so we can just share a moment. And yes, we are connected, no matter what happens in our lives, if we come from France or from another country, what our situation is. There is a kind of equality thanks to music.“
Furthermore, orchestra cellist Karine Jean-Baptiste provided a cello workshop to the El Sistema Greece students at Kypseli which helped them enhance their musical skills and artistic expression.
Finally, the students and the teachers of El Sistema Greece had the opportunity to visit the rehearsal of the orchestra and discuss with the musicians, while they also attended their concerts at Megaron The Athens Concert Hall on 12 and 13 March.
This series of events exemplifies the power of music to unite diverse communities and promote social inclusion and solidarity.
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The musicians who took part in the activities:
– Justine Caillé, piccolo
– Lilian Harismendy, bass clarinet
– Karine Jean-Baptiste, cello
– Jean-Baptiste Leclère, solo percussion
– Olivier Robin, violin
– Mikko Franck, musical director
– Vilde Frang, violin, artist in residence at Radio France this year
