In line with the mission of establishing and maintaining world peace, young German, Russian and Turkish musicians and dance groups came together. The aim is to spread the language of peace by uniting them in the universal language of music and to maintain the friendships established by young people on this occasion.
With this project performed by District 1930 and District 2440 the funds raised for this concertwill be transferred to the "Atatürk Peace Fellowship" which will be awarded to the most succesful student at the Otto Fran Walter Rotary Peace Center, which will be opened at Istanbul Bahcesehir University, as part of Rotary International Foubdation programmes.
A unique encounter between young musicians from Germany, Russia and Turkey set a powerful example for peace from October 26 to November 4, 2024. The Music Peace Camp, organized by the "Music for Peace" initiative under the direction of Thomas and Ulrike Vogt (RC Müllheim-Badenweiler), in the picturesque coastal town of Çeşme brought together over 70 young people who wanted to build bridges and break down enemy images through music and exchange. The anticipation of the 24 German participants was already palpable when they met at Basel Airport. Traveling from cities such as Freiburg, Müllheim, Bonn, Limburg and Kaiserslautern, the young people brought not only instruments and sheet music, but also the expectation of making new friends and making music together. A warm welcome from members of the local Rotary Clubs awaited them at Izmir Airport, where a large welcome banner in three languages, balloons and Turkish sweets greeted the guests. The next morning, the 25 Russian participants, who had traveled from Tver with their delegation leader Andrey Korjakov via Moscow, were greeted with the same elaborate ceremony. A total of twelve Rotary Clubs from Izmir and District 2440 under the leadership of Barbaros Salman and Nevin Can were involved in the organization and finances of the peace project. They planned and organized the concerts, bus transfers and contacts with the participating Turkish orchestra and Erasmus students from all over the world. The Rotary Club Müllheim-Badenweiler and District 1930 covered a large part of the travel and accommodation costs. Without this generous support and high level of commitment, the project would not have been possible. Thanks to the Rotary Clubs and the support of the municipality of Çeşme, the peace camp took place in the Şifne Termal Hotel - an idyllic setting with thermal pools, palm trees and a turquoise sea. Perfect conditions for the young participants to hold conversations, rehearse and talk about the personal meaning of peace. Daily routine between music, dance and conversations A typical camp day began with morning yoga exercises and a Turkish breakfast. This was followed by open-air discussion sessions in which the young people spoke openly in German, Russian and English about their fears, wishes and the question of their personal contribution to peace. Education students from Freiburg introduced the sessions with rhythmic games to break the ice and create a relaxed atmosphere. Musically, the project progressed quickly, as the participants had already practiced intensively at home. Daily rehearsals of songs and choreographies, supported by the band, led to an impressive repertoire. Connecting performances and a grand finale The first concert on October 31st took place in an old church in Çeşme and proved to be a complete success. Around 200 visitors followed the concert with enthusiasm - a successful start and a thank you to the hospitable community. The highlight was the final concert on November 2nd in the Ahmet Adnan Saygun Art Center in Izmir. In an atmospherically lit hall, accompanied by impressive images and film slides, over 70 young people from Turkey, Russia and Germany stood on stage. Dressed in black, the singers and dancers moved through the audience to begin the concert with a moving requiem. With energetic choreographies, songs together and the support of the Turkish youth orchestra, the young musicians created an emotional show. During the encore, "We are the World", the entire audience joined in and transformed the hall into a sea of lights made up of glowing cell phones. Governor Mert Korur thanked the young people on behalf of Rotary District 2440 for the impressive concert and their commitment to peace. A sign for peace The proceeds from the evening, amounting to over USD 15,000, will be donated to scholarship holders of the newly founded Rotary Otto and Walter Fran Peace Center in Istanbul, which is dedicated to peace work. Words of praise came from Klaus Brodbeck, District Governor 1930, who is also German: "Through their commitment, the young people have set an example that will radiate out in an outstanding way far beyond this concert." The camp showed that music, as a universal language, can build bridges - between cultures and people of different origins. The shared commitment inspired not only the participants, but also the many spectators and supporters on site. The young people returned home fulfilled, determined to spread the message: Peace begins within us and grows when we share it: Music for peace!
