Erfahrungsberichte
Music is connecting people
In autumn 2008 we met for the first time in the Waldorfschule am Illerblick. Senior women and men from the ZAWIW organisation, Mrs. Stadelhofer as well as the Russian group of the 10th class (the class is divided in those pupils who learn French and those who learn Russian) of above mentioned Waldorfschool, their teacher, Mrs. Meier, and me.
Our project was rather ambitious: We had the intention to travel to Russia, i. e. planning and realizing a project for young as well as for elderly people. Besides many other preparations, the pupils of the Russian group was rehearsing English, Russian and German songs during their music lessons with Mrs. Rost. Due to the fact that Mrs. Rost couldn’t accompany the group during their journey, I was charged with the task to give the right tone with my flute. The day of our departure came close and finally we took the flight from Stuttgart to Moscow on 15th April, 2009, well prepared for singing songs. The trip by bus from Moscow to Kursk took 10 hours and some minutes before midnight we were warmly received by our hosts in Kursk.
After a refreshing night, we met at MEBIK (University for Management, Economics and Business in Kursk) the next morning where the director, Mrs. Galina Okorokova and her students welcomed us officially. From this meeting point at MEBIK we started all our excursions during our stay in Russia.
We were told in advance that ways and trips will last many hours in Russia, that distances will be very long and boring. But not for us: Yet after some time, a girl or a boy of the pupils sitting in the rear started humming or singing a song. Others joined and started singing also and it was a pleasure to listen to their melodies. The seniors, sitting in the front part of the bus, stopped talking and turned their heads. Soon after, the seating plan broke up and seniors and pupils mixed up. Suddenly the whole group was singing together and the previous reservations were dissolved. It was rather astonishing that the songs didn’t end after the first verse because nobody could continue. Some pupils knew a lot of verses by heart and it was especially delighting to listen to our youth knowing a lot of songs.
On the 3rd day we were visiting the memorials in Prochorowka and we met veterans of the 2nd World War. They talked about their memories concerning their war experiences in Klawdia and Schewzow. The very important question arose: How could it happen that the German people couldn’t get rid of a dictator like Hitler and push him away? The atmosphere had become serious and thoughtful. After the following lunch in a nearby restaurant, the pupils liked to sing for the community: We pitched two English and two Russian songs. The veterans were listening, the waitresses in the restaurant sat down and took a rest and also the cook was leaning in the door case, fascinated and magnetized. All of them were impressed and deeply touched by the melodies, especially because we even sang in Russian language.
We had on our agenda to visit School No. 44 on the 4th day. There, we were received by the director and her pupils led us from room to room – everything explained perfectly in English! The Russian and German pupils now had to fulfil the task to organize a summercamp together. Afterwards, the different groups performed their results and we sang our complete repertoire at the end. When we were singing our famous “Kalinka”, sparks of overwhelming joy and enthousiasm skipped to the Russian pupils and some of them began to dance and there was a real joyful, cheerful, bright and jolly, hilarious cooperation. Mobile numbers were exchanged, further meetings planned, everbody was in high spirits and the atmosphere was at its top level.
The visit in the Sanatorium Marjino, an ancient palace of Duke Barjatinski, was very impressive and striking. A very correctly dressed and courtly and distinguished gentleman was leading us through the elegant chambers of the palace and he expressively praised the outstanding acoustics in the reception room where there was a circular gallery. Here we intoned our songs and the sound was gorgeous, a real ear catcher. Our noble gentleman was really impressed, his traits were becoming smoother, his eyes were looking friendly. He surely wouldn’t have put this past us!
The following day also started with music: It was Heinz’s anniversary. At first we all sang the obligatory “happy birthday” serenade and later the corresponding Russian song “mnogaja ljeta”. Heinz was very touched and deeply impressed. But today, we should have even more occasions for singing because the visit of the City Council of Kursk was scheduled. The governing mayor Nikolai Owtscharow received us in the town hall and we took seats in the elegant leather armchair of the conference room. The atmosphere was official and authoritative. After the speeches of several politicians and delegates, officers and directors, we stood up and pitched our songs. Applause and benevolence and good-will was flowing to us and the hearts got wide and friendly. Following to our presentation, the blind Russian veteran Lilian Lasancov recited in German language the “Erlkönig”, written by Goethe, and she deeply impressed all of us.
The process of joining and growing together of the tour group, of young and elderly participants, of the pupils with their Russian “mums and dads”, was immensely accelerated and simplified by singing. People of any age, any origin, any nationality understand the language of music, they are able to overcome differences, become partners and get connected. In singing together they have strong, amicable and pleasant emotions and feelings. Music has got the potential capacity of uniting generations and nations, people of the most different social and ethnic origins! Music keeps your spirits high and young and enriches your soul and your heart!
Thereupon we can rely and count on concerning the return visit in October.
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