Musicians to seek unity from Cyprus rooftops

magikthrill · Mukhtar/is Joined: 14 Aug 2005 Posts: 630 Location: NYC

Check this article out: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20051017/music_nm/arts_cyprus_music_dc_2

seems very interesting. has anyone heard of this. sounds amazing.

city · Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2005 11:06 am Post subject:

sounds very good.
Wasn't there also a joined concert at Ledra palace about two years ago??

Dhavlos · Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2005 2:17 pm Post subject:

look at this too....they are called poets 4 peace

http://www.psmrecordings.com/poetz.html

city · Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2005 8:15 pm Post subject:

Bullika

Musicians to seek unity from Cyprus rooftops
Mon Oct 17, 2005 2:25 PM ET
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By Michele Kambas

NICOSIA (Reuters) - From the rooftops of Cyprus, musicians will seek unity across a ceasefire line pockmarked with landmines in the island's capital Nicosia next week to celebrate United Nations day on October 24.

Four hundred Greek and Turkish Cypriots will play instruments on rooftops and balconies on either side of no-mans-land splitting the city to show the musical similarities of both sides of the island, divided on ethnic lines since 1974.

But lest anyone conjures up images of fiddlers on the roof, the violin will be playing second fiddle as it is not loud enough to pierce Nicosia's barrier -- a dusty corridor of mansions crumbling from decades of neglect.

"The United Nations is talking to the military of both sides so they won't freak out when we start banging large drums," said Merlijn Twaalfhoven, the Dutch composer behind the project.

In places, less than 100 meters (330 feet) will separate percussionists, wind players and choir singers. But the project's name, Long Distance Call, sums up the separation.

"If you are making a phone call to someone living 50 meters on the other side you have to dial Turkey first, then that is routed to northern Cyprus," Twaalfhoven told Reuters on Monday.

The day-long event supported by the United Nations, the United States and the Dutch government will try to offer collage of Cypriot traditional music which is virtually identical on both sides of the divide. It will also include a classical repertoire and more contemporary sounds, possibly rappers.

The music program has been devised so that each side can play its piece to listeners on the other side. They will play together at sunset.

"I think it will reflect the similarities, and give a fresh observation on people who have been here all their lives.

"Maybe for a moment they will forget the history, the things they have carried with them for years and see things in a fresh light," says Twaalfhoven, whose projects are characterized by unusual choices of outdoor venues, including a performance in a Russian submarine and in sand dunes.

Cyprus was split in 1974 when Turkey invaded the north after a brief Greek Cypriot coup backed by the military junta then ruling Greece.

"We will have trumpet players for sure, but violins are so soft, you need about 30 or 40 to make a good sound for a symphony orchestra. That is for another time," he said.

Dhavlos · Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2005 3:00 am Post subject:

search for 'poetz 4 peace', or 'haji mike'... you may have some luck, but it worked when iclicked my link

erolz · Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2005 3:08 am Post subject:

city · Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2005 4:01 pm Post subject:

cannedmoose · Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2005 4:07 pm Post subject:

If they need a didgireedoo player, I'm available... Smile

cannedmoose · Posted: Mon Oct 24, 2005 11:46 am Post subject:

Is anyone in Lefkosia who can report on this event?

cannedmoose · Posted: Tue Oct 25, 2005 10:37 pm Post subject:

Report in TDN about this event...

http://www.turkishdailynews.com.tr/article.php?enewsid=26707

Liza · Posted: Wed Oct 26, 2005 9:48 am Post subject:

It definately wasn't covered very well by the press, if I hadn't read it here I wouldn't have known.

city · Posted: Wed Oct 26, 2005 10:55 am Post subject:

brother · Posted: Wed Oct 26, 2005 11:16 am Post subject:

If they were jumping off the roofs then all the papers would have reported it. Wink

Liza · Posted: Wed Oct 26, 2005 11:19 am Post subject:

Yes suicidle musicians would have made the front page Smile