EURORADIO2SEE GIVES AFGHAN MUSICIANS WORLD STAGE

Redazione del CorrieredelWeb.it

The European Broadcasting Union's (EBU) new music video exchange platform, EURORADIO2SEE, lifted the curtain on a musical tradition rarely glimpsed by the outside world when Afghan musicians jammed with German masters of jazz at a secret location on Tuesday (27/8).

The concert, which was the first ever live webcast of traditional music from Afghanistan, was picked up by 16 public service broadcasters as part of an exclusive video stream from the platform, launched in July.

Specific details of the performance were kept confidential to protect the artists, who have set their passion for musical collaboration above the risks of performing in a country historically known for musical celebration.

During the rule of the Taliban, many musicians fled the country to avoid persecution; in recent years, a handful of traditional artists have returned to the Afghanistan National Institute of Music (ANIM) to pass on their skills to younger generations.

Afghan master musicians and their students were joined in concert by SAFAR, a trio of young German Jazz players from the renowned Franz Liszt University for Music, in Weimar, as part of the Aga Khan Music Initiative.

EURORADIO Project Manager Laurent Marceau says the concert demonstrates music's power to unite diverse groups.

"The observation that music is a universal language that transcends boundaries and bridges cultures is often overworked," said Mr Marceau. "However, in this instance, the phrase almost fails to do justice to the power of this event. With the support of RBB Kulturradio (Germany), EURORADIO2SEE enabled EBU Members to provide their audiences with an exceptional experience, proof that Afghanistan's musical heritage lives."

The concert featured the venerable artist Ustad Amruddin, who is one of a handful of master musicians from the pre-Taliban era who has returned to the country to pass on his knowledge. He plays the dilruba, a stringed instrument played with a bow.

RBB Kulturradio journalist and music producer Johannes Theurer says the performance symbolizes joy returning to Afghanistan.

"EURORADIO2SEE provides these brave musicians with a stage before the outside world," he said. "We have the chance to share and support this vision, and express respect for those who want to ensure their musical heritage exists for the next generation."