09/21/2013
Choral Symphony
21 Sept 2013
UNESCO
Statement by Mehri Madarshahi
Madame President of the General Conference
Excellency Ambassador Yu of People Republic of China
Dr Han, wang xi and delegations of Shenzhen,
Excellencies
Ladies and Gentlemen
As a result of globalization process, we live today in what we can call a “global village” where we are facing many unknowns including how to share our economic, social resources and cultural values.
In this era the quest for the intellectual and moral solidarity of humankind has become an urgent imperative to build the foundations for sustainable peace and harmony. Given its mandate, since a couple of years UNESCO has reflected on the necessity of a new humanism by focusing on the rich tradition of Confucius ideologies which can serve as a base for a dialogue on universal ideals.
The call for new humanism for the 21st century reflect the conviction that time has come to rethink the intellectual and moral foundations of globalization on a renewed basis. There can be no peace when poverty is still the life story of billions of people and when humanity is in war of destruction with the nature. Peace and shared welfare are two sides of the same coin and Humanism is that coin.
Peace is never a given nor the mere absence of war. Peace is inseparable from values attitudes and behaviors that must be accepted and practiced by decision-makers as well as ordinary people. thus, no matter how universally recognized the objectives of peace and prosperity may be, they must be constantly reviewed, renewed and adapted to the requirements of the present and the future.
By offering this unusual gift, Shenzhen once more has stood up to its earned reputation of an Avant guard city in support of arts, culture, dialogue , creativity, books, readings and music.
Fostering global intercultural dialogues and harmony has been since a decade the main objective of my Association Melody for Dialogues and this is one more reason why this Association has been given the privilege of organizing this concert tonight.
The Concert tonight was initiated by Mr Wang Jinshen and it is being performed by the Symphony Orchestra of Shenzhen a reputable Orchestra which has already been recognized as top of the hit list in China.
It took 6 years for Wang Ning to produce this master piece. My I recognize him?
The Choir partly from Shenzhen and part from France will transform the poetry by Wang Jingsheng into a lively performance. This mosaic of artistic presentation will become a melting pot in the able hand of Shenzhen Orchestra Conductor, Maestro Zhang Guoyong. Maestro Zhang is the Art Director of the Shanghai Opera House.
Now you may ask how the concert tonight connects with these ideologies and why my Association has decided to organize it ? The answer is simple. To me, music is a universal language and the most important tool for communications. Since years the Association has made an effort to use the power of music for advocacy and creation of awareness on issues of importance to human life. These included sustainability of environment, management of water, cultural harmony , dialogue for peace and importance of science for life. We have organized mega intercultural concerts around the world to convey these massages to our audiences with a language which is understood by all. The concert tonight is not an exception. The music is reflective of Confucius teachings which UNESCO idea on new humanism is driven from.
Ode to the new humanism in the form of The Choral Symphony comprised 5 movements representing the five fundamental elements of Confucius teaching: Benevolence representing the earth, the justice representing fire, politeness representing wood, intelligence rep water and courage.
It is an evening to be remembered not for the music we enjoy to listen but more so for the message we take home we must be open to explore new values, ideas and approaches in order to bring individual and collective peace and harmony to our globalized world.
I thank you for your presence.
Good Evening
Wǎnshàng hǎo