The biggest ever music competition organised in Italy for the year 2000

Peace Times 12

«Peace closely affects us all and music has the power to mobilise the masses» explains Marcella Foscarini the soul of the initiative. The best 30-40 tracks will be transmitted live on television with an expected audience of three hundred million viewers.

«A song for peace in the world»: the title of the greatest music competition of all times, conceived to become the symbol of conciliation among people. The competition announcement, available on the internet site: www.asongforpeace.it, is an appointment for over two million people, musicians and lyrisists, to send compositions of any kind - from classical to pop - of which 30 - 40 tunes are to be selected for performance and transmission in world vision, on the 5th of Sept 2000, from the «Fori Imperiale» in Rome Italy, to an expected audience of some 300 million.

«The idea is born from a wish to listen to the artistic voices of all people of the earth, including those devastated by war. Peace closely affects all of us and music has the power to mobilise the masses», says Marcella Foscarini the soul of the initiative.

«During the direct television transmission of the competition - which will be held under the high patronage of 15 international organisations, including the UN - worldwide fundraising will be held against landmines. There are over 120 million landmines diseminated in 70 countries, causing a victim every 20 minutes» continues Foscarini, adding: «The funds raised will be managed by a non-profit entity called “Peace Generation Commitee” with a distinct assonance with the Beat generation which in the 60’s, represented the common root of the new generations of non-violence. The money raised is to be divided between the Red Cross and the UN who will inscribe the names of the doners in a golden book to be permanently exhibited in the foyer of the New York Headquarters» she tells proud of the special privlege received.

The Peace Generation Commitee will have the final say as to how the funds are used, which demining interventions take place and how many claims will be concluded in a race again time: considering the speed with which landmines are disse-minated, mainly causing the death of innocent children, and with the actual forces in action, it would take 250 years to free the planet of all these lethal devices.

«The year 2000, year of the catholic jubilee has been declared by UNESCO as Year for a Culture of Peace: what better occasion - asks Foscarini - for a musical event of global dimension, suggestive and memorable. Something historical for international culture, comparing with last centuries Hymn of Joy composed by Schiller and Bethoven».

Unity among people is possible assures Foscarini: «Every institution that has given their patronage to the competition from the UN to the European Parliament have understood the true spirit of a song for peace. They did not ask “who is coming” but “what is it?”; and once examined the idea was immediately shared».

Singing is often freeing and gratifying: now one can sing for peace!

Roberta Passerini