Intercultural Dialogue Night May 22

[J. Abizeid]

Originally Posted by Salome

Thanks for the nice music:)

Indeed, music can serve as a dialogue between different cultures, it knows no political boundaries. Music always had some revolutionary break through effect on people of different societies, it can build down walls.

You can think of the recent event when the New York Philharmonic performed in Pyongyang. This I consider as the beginning of a break through.

When will the Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra perform in Beirut and vice versa?

Funny you mentioned the Israeli philharmonic orchestra,
I’m an admirer of Itzhak Perlman. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZs6D-w0Ex4&feature=related
YouTube - Itzhak Perlman e Yo-Yo Ma
Encico Macias is another one I loved his songs when I was kid.
You are right; music is the easiest way to culturally interact. It’s a lot easier to adapt to and getting attached to it than certain exotic foods or traditions

[Salome]

Originally Posted by J. Abizeid

Funny you mentioned the Israeli philharmonic orchestra,
I’m an admirer of Itzhak Perlman. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZs6D-w0Ex4&feature=related
YouTube - Itzhak Perlman e Yo-Yo Ma
Encico Macias is another one I loved his songs when I was kid.
You are right; music is the easiest way to culturally interact. It’s a lot easier to adapt to and getting attached to it than certain exotic foods or traditions

And do you think its possible, one day a joint Israeli-Lebanese concert for peace?

[J. Abizeid]

Originally Posted by Salome

And do you think its possible, one day a joint Israeli-Lebanese concert for peace?

It’s a matter of time.
My prediction is that HA will become friends with Israel before the rest of the country does. It makes sense because they are neighbors and need to coexist just like the FPM realized that.
I mentioned before evil phenomena that creates barriers and illusions to control people.
I loved Yanni in his first concerned talking about the early astronauts orbiting the earth looking over Europe not being able to tell one country from another. He said those borderlines don’t exist. We invented them. He also said; let’s concentrate on our similarities rather than our differences.
Another touching thing Bill Clinton said on his State of the union address. He said look around you, you see people with different shapes and colors, but when compared to each other, our genes difference is a fraction of one percent.
I don’t invent things; I just describe my life experiences honestly. My greatest joy in life has been to discover that my enemies were never my enemies. I’ve been lied to.
Yet, I’ve been told many times: “You are the one who loves them…”
My instant reply has become: Since when love became forbidden?

[Salome]

Originally Posted by J. Abizeid

My prediction is that HA will become friends with Israel before the rest of the country does. It makes sense because they are neighbors and need to coexist just like the FPM realized that.

Not everybody is as wise like you:)
What about those people who think Israel will vanish soon? Not friendship, but for a reconciliation even there is a long way to go.

I mentioned before evil phenomena that creates barriers and illusions to control people.

Many cant see further than their nose, not to mention a glimpse down from the Universe.

There are ancient bounds which ties the people, force them into the same dramas over and over again. They just replay the tragedy of their fathers. How do you suggest to these souls to overcome their fears?

Music is just one instrument, a very powerful one of course, but there are other arts of intercultural dialogue, like sciences, sports, fine arts etc... through which people can build something positive, even together with your supposed "enemy".