JORDAN
concerts and music lessons for refugees
Azraq Refugee Camp, Jordan
Musa al Saket Cultural Center near Amman
first contact with a viola: Beatrice Muthelet in Musa al Saket Cultural Center, Salt, Jordan
Princess Basma Center for Development in Irbid, Jordan
Mafraq Community Center, near the Syrian border, Jordan
first contact with a violin: Verena-Maria Fitz in Musa al Saket Cultural Center, Salt, Jordan
MUSIC LESSONS
Our concert tour in 2018 gave the initial spark for MUSIC CONNECTS´ first sustainable educational project launched in 2019. We have offered music lessons to refugee children in Jordan ever since.
In the host community of Mafraq children are now learning how to play the violin, cello and oud under the guidance of professional cellist Khaled Bal’awi. These kids see music as a means of potentially escaping their harsh living conditions.
MUSIC CONNECTS´ vision is to establish a choir under the guidance of music teacher Amal Bal’awi that supports these kids in integrating into their new environments. Learning how to sing in an ensemble and making music together with others teaches important social skills and provides them with different perspectives.
JORDAN CONCERT TOUR 2018
Mozart in the desert coupled with Arabic melodies played by a classical quintet triggered much curiosity - especially amongst the youngest of our audiences in the refugee settlements.
The first concert tour brought a classical quintet to Azraq refugee camp as well as to host communities in Mafraq, Nuz’ha, Salt, Irbid and Amman, in Jordan in 2018. Stefan Arzberger (violin), Verena-Maria Fitz (violin), Konstantin Pfiz (cello), Béatrice Muthelet (viola) and Marco Thomas (clarinet) performed for refugees from troubled regions of neighboring countries (mainly Syria, Iraq and Yemen), for their Jordanian hosts, and for members of involved aid agencies. For many of the listeners it was the first time they had ever heard classical music.
The quintet performed works by Mozart and Mendelssohn-Bartholdy amongst others. For the second part of our programme, Dr. Mohammed Othman Sidiq, the director of the National Music Conservatory NMC in Amman, adapted some of the most well-known Arabic melodies for our European string instruments. It resulted in standing ovations!
Some of the kids were clearly touched: ‘‘We´d like to make music ourselves!’’ they clamoured. And since 2019 we offer music lessons for children in Mafraq.
„Our days in Jordan were one of the most intense and emotional experiences. We only met remarkably open-minded and welcoming people, who offered their neighbours help during highly difficult times and through exceptionally dramatic events. Our music was received with great curiosity and gratitude - equally so by the Jordanian hosts as well as the refugees from Syria, Iraq and Yemen. The days were filled with touching moments. With the universal language of music we were able to set a strong sign of solidarity with the people we met in Jordan.”
– Verena-Maria Fitz, MUSIC CONNECTS´ founding member and violinist
„The excitement was real as there aren´t many other cultural activities offered in the vast refugee camp, Asraq. 40.000 people have lived here for years. Lots is done to help them with satisfying their most basic needs but music and culture isn´t a part of that - yet! Unheard European music fascinated our listeners - women, men, children - but when we started playing the Arabic folksongs, many were delirious with joy. Verena our violinist, and Beatrice our violist, were especially appreciated. Most of the audience’s women and children surrounded them after the concerts and bombarded them with questions. I strongly believe that every one should equally be entitled to culture - should have a right to culture - and we are playing a part in contributing towards that goal.”
– Martina Frühwald
741.500 REFUGEES
The crisis in Syria has severely impacted Jordan - of a total of 741.500 refugees hosted in Jordan nearly 661.000 are from Syria. 46% of which are children. The high number of displaced is tough on the country´s infrastructure and resources. Additionally the high unemployment rate in combination with low economic growth causes further challenges. (source: UNHCR).
CONTACT
Together we can achieve more – we look forward to hearing from you!