Can guitars save the world?
Extraordinary personalities of the music world will meet for the panel “Can guitars save the world?” on Saturday afternoon at Café Európa. Moderator Gordon Masson (head of the IQ magazine for music professionals) will welcome Ahmad Sarmsat (founder of Afghan womenʼs orchestra ZOHRA), Fruzsina Szép (director of Lollapalooza Berlin), Miro Tóth (composer, author of piece dedicated to Ján and Martina performed by Kronos Quartet), and Christoph Huber (boss of the European festivals association Yourope).
07. July 2019
We donʼt want to overvalue power of music, but there are many examples of how music virtually did miracles. For example, the strongest protest against the communist totality in Czechoslovakia—Charter 77—was started by imprisoning the musicians of the band The Plastic People of the Universe. Panel “Can guitars save the world?” will be on just how personalities see the role of music in society, the role of artists in trying to “save the planet”, in human rights issues, and in environmental movements. However, there are also artists who donʼt hesitate to support dictators with their work or compose music to celebrate totalitarian regimes, including Nazism or Communism. Some say that, before the Brexit referendum, artists were “too silent” or that they could have done so much more from their position.
If we had to name one band that we are particularly proud of at Pohoda 2019, it would be Zohra. It is a fantastic example of the power of music and the desire for freedom.
If we had to name the most emotional moment of Pohoda 2018, it would be the world premiere of Miro Tothʼs piece for Kronos Quartet. The concert was held in the memory of the murdered investigative journalist Ján Kuciak and his fiancée Martina Kušnírová.
If we had to name the one person who represents the positive values in music from the promotersʼ side, it would be Fruzsina Szép. The former artistic director of Hungarian festival Sziget, she is now the boss of Berlinʼs Lollapallooza.
If we had to name an organisation which is really trying to use the power of music for positive changes in society, it would be Yourope lead by the great man, Christof Huber.
If we had to name best moderator for this kind of panels, it would definitely be Gordon Masson (who is also well known as passionate Pohoda merch ambassador)
The debate “Can guitars save the world?” will take place on Saturday noon at Café Európa.