Catholic charity boosts Palestine music project

A partnership between charitable tour operator Pilgrimage People and the Tunes for Peace Project in Palestine has been boosted after a visit to meet students and staff in Bethlehem.

On April 22, a group from Pilgrimage People led by Catholic priest Fr Paul Maddison, from the Diocese of East Anglia, visited the project to see what difference the money it had donated to the cultural project had made.

They listened in as students had lessons on a violin, piano and kanoon and then spoke to George Rishmawi, Director of the Palestinian Centre for Rapprochement Between People, where the project is based, and Maher Kassis, the Project's Coordinator.

Charitable donations from Pilgrimage People has helped Tunes for Peace introduce new instruments and teach more students. Up to 75 students are able to receive individual, theory and group tuition on the violin, guitar, piano and drums alongside traditional Palestinian instruments like the kanoon and oud.

George said: "I believe in what music can do for a person - it can give them an inner calm and, for some, the chance for a future career.

"We discussed the possibilities of organizing a trip for our young musicians to the UK to perform in churches and other venues across East Anglia in the UK," said George. "Music is a common language that can help break down barriers and misconceptions."

Fr Paul said: "It was wonderful to visit the project and hear some students play their instruments and receive individual tuition - and see what a difference the funds we have been able to give have made. We look forward to a possible visit to East Anglia with great enthusiasm."

The Tunes for Peace project allows young Palestinians to learn music and play instruments without worrying about high fees, because it provides music education at a very low cost, affordable by any average Palestinian families.

For more information on Pilgrimage People see: www.pilgrimagepeople.org/

and Tunes for Peace Project www.pcr.ps/index.php/departments/cs-d/angelo-frammartino/tunes-for-peace