West–Eastern Divan Orchestra facts for kids
The West–Eastern Divan Orchestra is a special music group. It brings together young musicians from different countries, especially from the Middle East and the Spanish world. These musicians come from places like Egypt, Iran, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria, and Spain. The orchestra is based in Seville, Spain.
Two important people started this orchestra in 1999: Daniel Barenboim, a famous conductor from Argentina and Israel, and Edward Said, a writer and professor from Palestine and America. They named the orchestra after a book of poems by a German writer named Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. This book was about different cultures understanding each other.
In 2015, a great pianist named Martha Argerich became an honorary member of the orchestra. She often plays music with Daniel Barenboim. Later, in 2016, the Barenboim–Said Akademie opened in Berlin, Germany. This is a music school that teaches students based on the same ideas of peace and understanding that the orchestra promotes.
Contents
History of the Orchestra
How it Started
Daniel Barenboim and Edward Said became friends in the 1990s. They created the West–Eastern Divan Orchestra to help people, especially Arabs and Israelis, understand each other through music. They hoped music could bring a feeling of friendship and living together.
The first workshop for the orchestra was held in Weimar, Germany. More than 200 young Arab musicians wanted to join! Barenboim also wanted musicians from Iran to play in the orchestra every year. Even though Iran is not an Arab country, it also has tensions with Israel.
In 2016, Ban Ki-moon, who was the head of the United Nations at the time, called the orchestra a "United Nations Global Advocate for Cultural Understanding." He praised their work for peace, especially between Israelis and Palestinians.
Concerts Around the World
The West–Eastern Divan Orchestra has played in many famous places:
- Since 2011, they have a concert every year at the Waldbühne in Berlin, Germany.
- In 2012, they played for Pope Benedict XVI in Italy. This was a special event to celebrate the Pope's name day.
- A few days later, they performed all nine symphonies by Ludwig van Beethoven at the BBC Proms in London, England. This was a big achievement!
- They also played in South Korea in 2012 at the Gwangju Biennale art festival.
- In 2022, the orchestra opened the famous Prague Spring Festival. They played a piece called Má vlast (My Country).
Why the Orchestra is Important
The main goal of the West–Eastern Divan Orchestra is to help Israelis and Palestinians understand each other. They want to help find a peaceful solution to the conflicts in the Middle East.
Daniel Barenboim has explained the orchestra's purpose:
"The Divan is not a love story, and it is not a peace story. It's not going to bring peace. The Divan was created to fight against not knowing about others. It's very important for people to learn about what others think and feel, even if they don't agree. I don't try to change the minds of Arab or Israeli members. But I want to create a place where both sides can disagree without fighting."
One young Israeli musician in the orchestra also said:
"Barenboim always says his project is not political. But it is a political statement from both sides. It's important for people to see that it's possible to sit down with Arab people and play music. The orchestra is like a human laboratory. It shows the whole world how to get along with others."
The Orchestra's Home in Spain
The orchestra travels and performs all over the world. But it has a special summer school every year in Seville, Spain.
Since 2002, the government of Andalusia (a region in Spain) and a private group have helped provide a home for the orchestra in Seville. Now, young Spanish musicians also join the orchestra.
The West–Eastern Divan Workshop happens for several weeks each summer in Andalucía. After they practice, the orchestra starts its concert tour. The orchestra has won many awards, including the Príncipe de Asturias Prize in 2002 for Said and Barenboim.
In 2004, the Barenboim–Said Foundation was created in Seville. This foundation helps manage the orchestra. It also supports other projects that teach music and promote understanding, like a music academy and music education programs in Palestine and Seville.
See also
In Spanish: West-Eastern Divan Orchestra para niños
- Barenboim–Said Akademie
- The Edward Said National Conservatory of Music
- Music of Palestine
