Classics for Peace 2017

Last Sunday it was the third year we did our "Classics for Peace" concert at Slesvigske Musikhus for the Lysfest (Festival of Light - really a celebration of the liberation from the German occupation on the 4th of May 1945 - now also a Festival for peace, freedom and reconciliation). We donate all income from the concert to Médecins Sans Frontières - Doctors without Borders. It's become a tradition for us, but we try to make it a bit new and different every year. 
People started arriving already an hour before the concert, and there was immediately a warm, buzzing and excited atmosphere around, and wine, coffee, tea and cake were sold, more on that further down. 
This year we were very lucky to get professor and Honorary President of the Federal Union of European Nationalities, Hans Heinrich Hansen, as guest speaker, and he held a beautiful and very moving speech on the subjects war, peace and reconciliation. He has experienced the war himself as a child, and especially the aftermath from the point of the German minority in Denmark, which was not easy. It is therefore  astonishing that the collaboration and mutual respect between the two minorities at the Danish/German border now sets an example for reconciliation between minorities in the rest of Europe. We thank Hans Heinrich Hansen very much for his contribution.

One of painter Karl Berkwill's lovely views over Haderslev

After that, we continued with a more lively programme; we started with Barber's "Gypsy Dance"; a piece he wrote when he was only 12 years old - and continued in the same style. We even included a few pop songs - well, it's called "Classics for Peace", but we thought these pop songs really were iconic ;-) 

We would like to thank...

We were so lucky that so many have helped this project by sponsoring for the good cause: Karl Berkwill from Artgalleriberkwill sold his postcards and prints of his beautiful paintings and donated the income (his gallery really is lovely, if you ever get a chance to go, it is highly recommendable! - and it is said of him that he has painted every street in Haderslev - and they are all wonderful!), the lawyer's company "Ret og Råd" sponsored wine and Kvickly donated cake to sell. Our friend Bertha made a stunning flower decoration, and this wonderful team of dedicated volunteers completely took over the practical side of things. Thank you also to Haderslev Town Council and the organizers of Haderslev Lysfest for the promotion. We are incredibly grateful to you all. 

These days during "Classics for Peace" and the Lysfest are very special for us, and we look forward to it every year. It is fascinating to experience the wish and joy from so many people around us to help and to join the project. 
We already have big plans for next year's concert, and lots of ideas to fill lots of years... We are really looking forward to be able to reveal them for you!