On the Occasion of World Refugee Day 2018 and under the auspices of the UNHCR Office in Cyprus, the Cyprus Symphony Orchestra holds a concert to honour the strength, resilience and courage of refugees around the world. The concert, under the artistic direction of Jens Georg Bachmann and with guitar soloist, George Nouneh, will take place on Wednesday 20 June 2018 in Lefkosia.
Venue:
Faneromeni Square
(within the Venetian walls of Lefkosia)
Lefkosia, Cyprus
This event will be open and free to the public.
Information: +357 22 463 144 and www.cyso.org.cy
With more than 65 million people fleeing war and persecution, this is a time that refugees need us more than ever. On World Refugee Day, let’s pause to contemplate the fate of those who cannot return to their homes tonight because of war or persecution. Let’s also ask ourselves what each of us can do to overcome indifference or fear and embrace the idea of inclusion, to welcome refugees to our own communities, and to counter narratives that would seek to exclude and marginalize refugees and other uprooted people. Let’s stand #WithRefugees.
UNHCR and the Cyprus Symphony Orchestra are grateful to the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Embassy of Sweden, Embassy of Switzerland, the Nicosia Municipality and the “Friends of Nicosia” Association for their support.
A few words about the programme:
Born in Syria but having moved with his family to the US at the age of 13, Kareem Roustom was steeped in the musical traditions of the Near East but also, in the US, trained in western concert music and jazz. He gives us “Dabke” a folk-dance native to the Levant, the name of which is derived from the Arab word meaning “stamping of the feet” and widely performed at weddings and other joyous occasions.
The Soloist:
George Nouneh is a Syrian refugee who now lives in Cyprus. He is a self-taught guitarist, composes and plays his own music although he can’t read or write music. He studied English literature and worked in sales, finance and marketing, yet, music is the great love of his life: “Music has kept me sane throughout some difficult times and a strong will to survive.”
Of all of Beethoven's seven symphonies, the Second is arguably the least well-known. Furthermore, filled as it is with the composer’s musical jokes, it shocked the sensibilities of many of his contemporaries.
More specifically we will enjoy the works:
Kareem Roustom: Dabke for string orchestra
George Nouneh: Work for guitar and strings (orch. Y. Hadjiloizou)
L. v. Beethoven: Symphony no. 2 in D major, op. 36
Wednesday, June 20, 2018, 20:30
