World Orchestra for Peace is designated UNESCO Artist for Peace
The World Orchestra for Peace, an ensemble of musicians representing more than 40 countries which is registered in the UK, has been designated as a UNESCO Artist for Peace by the Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova. Mrs Bokova presented the orchestra’s director, Charles Kaye, with a diploma of the Organization at a ceremony took place on the 5th August in the Royal Albert Hall. Later that day, the Director-General also attended the BBC Proms concert celebrating the Orchestra’s 15th anniversary.
“This orchestra embodies the ideals of the 2010 International Year for the Rapprochement of Cultures,” Ms Bokova stated. “Made up of musicians from over 70 international orchestras, it comes together on special occasions to promote peace and celebrate reconstruction. It’s an extraordinary way to promote understanding and cooperation through an art that constitutes a universal language and knows no borders.”
The World Orchestra for Peace is conducted by Valery Gergiev (Russian Federation), himself designated as UNESCO Artist for Peace in 2003. It was founded in 1995 by the late Sir Georg Solti for a special concert in Geneva to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the United Nations. Solti believed in “the unique strength of music as an ambassador for peace”.
UNESCO Artists for Peace are internationally-renowned personalities from the arts who use their influence and prestige to help promote UNESCO’s message and programmes and raise public awareness of the Organization’s action on key issues.
The World Orchestra for Peace joins a list of UK artists that already includes Children's Book Author and Illustrator Lauren Child, and Iraqi-born British architect Zaha Hadid.
Written: 10/08/2010 , last modified: 11/08/2010
Irina Bokova presents a diploma to the World Orchestra for Peace