Today, 17 October 2007, the Poverty Requiem will resonate around the globe.
In a worldwide marathon of music, people from all walks of life in many time zones will sing the same inspirational songs about human suffering and hope for a better life, free of poverty.
A total of 42 performances of the requiem will be staged in at least 23 countries including Argentina, Cameroon, England, Ethiopia, Gambia, Germany, India, Kenya, Netherlands, Nigeria, Palestine, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Scotland, Senegal, Suriname, USA, and Zambia.
This massive community arts project is all part of the Global Campaign Against Poverty, which last year attracted more than 23 million participants and set a Guinness World Record. This year’s Stand Up and Speak Out campaign is a unique action to mark the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.
With dozens of large mixed choirs joining in a global chain of performances, the Poverty Requiem will make a strong statement about the fact that one billion human beings live on less than $1 a day. The Poverty Requiem is made up of five movements, each one elaborating on the different ways in which poverty impacts on people: the suffering, the anger, the mourning, the humour and the hope.
Music for the Poverty Requiem was written by composer and conductor Peter Maissan, lyrics by Sylvia Borren, Director of Oxfam Novib.
For more information, visit: www.povertyrequiem.org