Jerusalem (Fides Service) – Peace in the Holy Land can be launched by youth: with this conviction, this Christmas 28 people aged between 16 and 26 from 21 different countries, “will stage a peaceful invasion of the Holy Land” (in response to a call by the Franciscans in Jerusalem). With their presence and music they will carry a message of dialogue, hope for peace and harmony. With the sponsorship of the Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land the World Youth Orchestra WYO – started in 2001 with the best students at conservatories all over the world– will give a series of concerts December 20 and 21 in Jerusalem, Ramallah and to the Jewish-Arab community in Nevé Shalom (north of Jerusalem). They hope in this way to show the leaders in the Holy Land, and to the world that peace in the Middle East is possible and it is deeply desired by all the young people in the region who aspire to a future of tranquillity, joy and harmony.
The WYO Tour for Peace 2003” della WYO is a project of the non-profit association MusicaEuropa, nominated UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. It is chaired by Italian conductor Damiano Giuranna, who launched WYO after the 9/11 terrorist attack convinced that youth and music can be a basis for launching a message of peace internationally that even in the Middle East torn by years of conflict. WYO concerts include traditional popular Mediterranean music in a classical key, “create the basis for intercultural dialogue and peaceful coexistence regardless of ideological or religious identity” Giuranna explained.
For Giuranna and the orchestra music is a universal language and as a tangible sign they will offer scholarships to four young Israeli and Palestinian music students who will be invited to join the WYO Tour 2004.
WYO is highly symbolic since its members are young people from various countries: China and Taiwan, Israel and Iran, England and Ireland, Greece and Turkey, Egypt, Korea, Australia, Morocco, United States, Albania, Italia, Germany, France, Russia, Spain, Baltic Republics. These young musicians offer testimony of dialogue, friendship and fraternity and political leaders would to well to listen and learn.
(PA) (Fides Service 15/12/2003 lines 37 words 433)