Festival hymn for world peace
Over 1000 singers present Ēriks Ešenvalds "Proclamation"
On the occasion of the "Fest der ChorKulturen" and the affiliated Grand Prix of Nations Berlin 2017 (February 1-5), around 1,000 singers will present the official event anthem "Proclamation" by Ēriks Ešenvalds together with the renowned Berlin Radio Choir and the participants of the Sing Along Workshop on February 1 & 4.
Inspired by a poem by Kim Stafford that deals mainly with the topics of world peace and international understanding, Ešenvalds put the following words into an impressive choral work:
Proclamation
Whereas the world is a house on fire;
Whereas the nations are filled with shouting;
Whereas hope seems small, sometimes
a single bird on a wire
left by migration behind.
Whereas kindness is seldom in the news
and peace an abstraction
while war is real;
Whereas words are all I have;
Whereas my life is short;
Whereas I am afraid;
Whereas I am free - despite all
fire and anger and fear;
Be it therefore resolved a song
shall be my calling - a song
not yet made shall be vocation
and peaceful words the work
of my remaining days.
© 2005 by Kim Stafford
Ēriks Ešenvalds belongs to the most famous composers in Latvia. Works, such as the official song of the World Choir Games 2014 in Riga, Latvia – "My Song" – are sung by choirs from all parts of the world and invite to sing together.
"Proclamation" premieres in the Opening Concert on February 1 at 8 pm and will be performed again in the Closing Concert on February 4 (5 pm) in the Chamber Music Hall of the Berliner Philharmonie. Tickets for both concerts are available via the online ticket system of the Berlin Radio Choir as a single ticket or as a festival pass.
More information about the "Fest der ChorKulturen" and the affiliated Grand Prix of Nations Berlin 2017 can be found on the official INTERKULTUR event website as well as on Facebook.