Meeting No. 4: Mytilene - music and peace
The meeting in Lesbos from October 1-7, 2024, was a truly special encounter. Geographically, we were quite close to ongoing conflicts and warfare.
Yet, the Erasmus+ group from Munich, Slaté Moravze, Bolzano, and Mytilene embraced a completely different approach: the theme of the meeting was "Music and Peace."
During an impressive concert on October 3, the students demonstrated their musical talents after just two days of rehearsing together. More importantly, through their choir and orchestra performances, they showed how music can unite people. By playing music together, they managed to build bridges between the different schools, the teachers - who took turns conducting and, in some cases, also played or sang along - and the audience, whose thunderous applause was described by the evening’s presenter as "a symbol of cooperation."
The following day, after a visit to the magnificent fortress of Mytilene, one of the largest in the Mediterranean and a place marked by the coexistence of different religions and peoples, we experienced a completely different reality during a visit to the new archaeological museum in Mytilene. There, we met Bavarian deacon Günther Jäger, who has been aiding refugees on Lesbos. After the fire at the refugee camp in Moria - the "Human Rights Graveyard", as can be read on what remains of its walls - various humanitarian aid projects have been initiated. Unfortunately, they will need to be expanded in the near future. One of the questions discussed with Mr. Jäger was, whether building large refugee centres was the right solution. The students were deeply moved by this encounter.
That evening brought yet another contrast with a self-organized party for which the families of our Greek partner school provided wonderful food. Students and teachers alike enjoyed each other’s company engaging in conversations and dancing. On Sunday then, we had the opportunity to explore the island of Lesbos and to discover its cultural heritage: the petrified forest of Sigri, Eressos - the birthplace of the famous poetess Sappho - and the various statues erected in her honour. We also visited Molyvos, one of the most beautiful traditional settlements on Lesbos, a charming town by the sea.
The following day, the meeting concluded with the formal presentation of the certificates of attendance at the music school in Mytilene.
Our time on Lesbos was like a dream, filled with immense hospitality and the formation of new friendships among the students and teachers. The experience left us with unforgettable images and impressions in a world in which peace and civilization often seem overshadowed by conflict and war.
Lesbos showed us what is possible.