The West-Eastern Divan Ensemble, comprised of musicians of Arab and Israeli heritage, performed at United Nations Headquarters on 23 February 2023 at an event entitled “Equal in Music”.
The Ensemble is the latest iteration of a project founded by Israeli conductor and UN Messenger of Peace Daniel Barenboim and the late Palestinian literary scholar Edward W. Said. The project, which they conceived of as an alternative way to address the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, began as a workshop for young musicians before blossoming into the world-renowned West-Eastern Divan Orchestra.
“We have musicians that come from countries that are in conflict with each other in one way or another,” said Michael Barenboim, who leads the ensemble. “We show that by cooperating in a project such as this one, it's possible to bring together people from states which are in conflict so that they're able to work together towards a common goal.”
In 2016, the Orchestra was designated a United Nations Global Advocate for Cultural Understanding. In this capacity, the Orchestra supports the work of the UN Alliance of Civilizations in promoting tolerance, understanding and unity among peoples of different cultural and religious identities.
Through its work, both the Orchestra and the Ensemble demonstrate that bridges can be built to encourage people to listen to the narrative of the other. “I think that's showing an alternative model and alternative way of thinking for the Middle East region. Which is not based on arms, bombs, war, blood and conflict, but based on understanding, dialogue and listening to each other,” said Michael Barenboim, who in addition to leading the Ensemble, is also concertmaster of the Orchestra. “When you play music, you play, but you also have to listen to others.”
Mariam Said, widow of Edward W. Said and vice president of the US-based Barenboim-Said Foundation, spoke at the event. "Edward believed that humanity is the only thing through which we can counteract the disintegration of our world. And this is the message that the orchestra is trying to send," Ms. Said explained.
The Ensemble’s performance at the United Nations was part of its 10-concert tour of the United States in February and March.
