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I have not played the cello in front of an audience since long years but I think I must do it this time. I am going to play a melody from the Catalonian folklore: The singing of the Birds. Birds, when in the sky, go singing: Peace, peace, peace. And this is a melody that Bach, Beethoven and all great people would have admired and loved. And, in addition, it springs up from the soul of my country: Catalonia.

Pablo Casals#2

MusicPeaceCultureIdentityLocation

About this quote

What does it mean?
He returns to perform a Catalan melody to express his love for peace and his homeland.
In plain terms
He plays folk music to share his culture and wish for peace.
What can you take from it?
Use art to express cultural identity and hopes for peace.

Where it applies

  • political conflict
  • cultural celebration
  • performance

Putting it to work

  • cultural advocacy
  • peace movements
  • folk music

Questions to consider

  • How does art reflect identity?
  • Can music bring peace?

Another view

It assumes music alone can resolve political tensions.

More from Pablo Casals

  1. This is the greatest honour I have ever received in my life. Peace has always been my greatest concern. Yet in my childhood I learned to love it. My mother-an …

    Permalink to quote #1
  2. The love of one's country is a splendid thing. But why should love stop at the border?

    Permalink to quote #3
  3. Music is not just sound.

    Permalink to quote #4

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