universal language
transcends words
into melodies of peace
In 1999, conductor Daniel Barenboim and Palestinian scholar Edward Said co-founded the Israeli-Arab Youth Orchestra (also known as the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra) as a cultural tool for bringing together Israelis and Arabs. Young musicians from both nations attended workshops in Spain, and then traveled the world giving concerts to promote cultural awarenss and harmony.
Barenboim once told a reporter that "Everyone should become active in the way that they are most suited - music is my way!" The orchestra now has it's home base in Seville, Spain, and continues to use music as the common ground to illustrate that Arabs and Israelis can work together peacefully.