One year ahead of the 75th anniversary of the UN International Court of Justice in The Hague, Hague Project Peace and Justice is embarking on a musical Instagram journey #unitedmusic75, initiated by Dutch harpist Lavinia Meijer. The initiative is supported by the United Nations Regional Information Centre and the International Court of Justice.
The one-year challenge is a call for action to show solidarity and highlight the convening power of music for a common cause, peace through justice. During the #unitedmusic75 challenge an adaption of the Hymne des Nations will be shared inviting musicians and artists to play, sing or compose their own version and post it on Instagram.
The Hymne des Nations was written in 1913 by Jewish-Dutch composer Charles Grelinger (1873-1942) on the occasion of the opening of the Peace Palace in The Hague, where the International Court of Justice is now located. The composer died while being transported to Auschwitz but his music continues to live on. The theme of achieving peace, hope and solidarity runs throughout its text.
“The initiative is a symbolic event: a creative, musical way to foster solidarity and connect people, countries and cultures by creating a music chain as large and diverse as possible,” said Deborah Seward, Director of the United Nations Regional Information Centre.
The campaign will culminate in April 2021, when the 75th anniversary of the International Court of Justice will be marked in the Peace Palace with the world premiere of a harp concert composed for the occasion by Jaap Nico Hamburger and performed by harpist Lavinia Meijer, accompanied by an orchestra. Part of the concert will be based on the Hymne des Nations. Apart from a one-off performance on the municipal carillon, this will be the first time the song is performed.
“The project symbolises that music can bring people closer to each other. Enthused musicians from all over the world, both amateur and professional, famous or still to be discovered, are picking it up in different languages using a variety of influences,” Ms. Meijer concluded.
The initiative, launched on the occasion of the International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace, demonstrates that, after 75 years, we need solidarity and justice more than ever, to tackle the challenges the world faces.
Hague Project Peace and Justice & United Nations Regional Information Centre
About the Hague project Peace and Justice
The Hague Project Peace and Justice is a joint initiative of The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, the Municipality of The Hague and Hague-based international organisations. It is a multi-stakeholder platform promoting peace, justice and the rule of law.
About the United Nations Regional Information Centre for Western Europe (UNRIC)
The United Nations Regional Information Centre for Western Europe (UNRIC) is located in Brussels, the capital of Europe. Its mission is to communicate the values, history and mandate of the United Nations and its actions in building a more peaceful, fair and sustainable world. The Centre covers 22 countries and works in 13 languages. www.unric.org
About the UN75 campaign
This initiative is part of the UN75 campaign, in which the UN wants to engage millions of people in a global conversation about how best to transform our future for the better, together. https://www.un.org/en/un75 and https://un75.online/
About the Hymne des Nations
Original French version
Nous sommes sur la terre tous frères,
Des êtres qui doivent s’aimer!
Regardez bien, le monde estimmense,
On peut y vivre avec l’espérance,
Et vivre en se tendant les bras,
Sans rancoeur ici bas.
Current English adaption
On this vast earth
Respect for other people's values
Connects us.
Through this, barriers are removed
Hope, affection
And mutual solidarity are created.
Current Dutch adaption
Op deze uitgestrekte aarde
Verbindt ons de eerbied
Voor andermans waarde.
Zo gaan barrières teniet
Ontstaan hoop, genegenheid
En onderlinge solidariteit.
For more information please contact
Theresa Scheeben, Media Officer, The Hague, theresa.scheeben@denhaag.nl
Marian Blondeel, Head of the Benelux & EU Desk, United Nations Regional Information Centre, marian.blondeel@un.org
Lavinia Meijer, Musician and harpist, management@laviniameijer.com
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