Israel Concert - 2011
“It was an outstanding event with inspiring music. We heard so many positive and enthusiastic responses from people who said it was a ‘concert of hope and cooperation’. Many people said that the musicians were amazing and they loved the Israeli Jewish – Arab cooperation with our guests from abroad.” - Yossi Leshem and Dan Alon, (conference hosts for A Bird’s Eye View of Migration Stopover Sites: Flyway Conservation through Science, Policy, Education and Tourism, Hula Valley Bird Festival, 2011) “At a banquet prior to the concert I was seated between a retired Israeli army general and a Jordanian general who had been prominent in the peace dialogues some years ago, and who is now integrally involved in bird conservation work in the Middle East. After the concert the Israeli general came to me and said: "I think it's wonderful what you've done here, bringing together onstage the Arab and Israeli musicians. That doesn't happen in Israel." - Paul Winter In Photo: L-R: (Top) The Efroni Choir, with Zohar Fresco, Andy Cooke and Chris Berry. (Middle) Zohar Fresco, Andy Cooke, Chris Berry, Paul Winter, Kamil Shajrawi, Hasam Ghani, Ashraf Lei. (Bottom) Zohar Fresco and Paul Winter. |
In November, 2011, Paul Winter presented a preview concert of the Flyways adventure near the Sea of Galilee, as part of the Hula Valley Bird Festival, a week-long series of events and conferences for ornithologists, biologists, birders and journalists from many countries of the world. The Hula wetlands provide critical habitat for migratory birds, such as the entire European population of White Pelican; and for approximately 90,000 Common Cranes (about 30,000 cranes remain all winter.) 30 raptor species winter in the Hula Valley, including Greater Spotted and Imperial Eagles. Collaborators with Paul Winter in this performance included three Palestinian musicians: Kamil Shajrawi (oud, violin); Hasam Abdel Ghani (nei); and Ashraf Abou Lei (double-pipe mejwez, yarghoul); as well as Zohar Fresco (frame drums); Chris Berry (mbira); Andy Cooke enanga, amadinda); and also the Efroni Choir, of 30 Israeli girls.