On Tuesday 11 October, I gave a presentation about the Mitrovica Rock School to first-year students of the ECL high school. The Rock School is a joint initiative of Musicians without Borders, IKV Pax Christi, Fontys Rock Academy and Community Building Mitrovica.
Mitrovica is a city in Kosovo, former Yugoslavia. The city is divided into a southern and a northern part and is separated by the Ibar river. The people of Mitrovica were separated as well during the war. Ever since the war, the Albanians have been living in the southern part of the city, whereas the Serbs reside in the northern part.
At the Mitrovica Rock School, young rock stars from both sides of the river – Albanese and Serbian youth – receive a training by experienced, local musicians. They meet each other at annual summer schools and on the internet.
Before the war, Mitrovica was the center for rock music. The Rock School uses this history to connect young people by means of their shared passion, i.e. pop and rock music. Key is to emphasize their similarities and what they have in common – their passion for music – as opposed to their differences.
The Rock School wants to connect these young people, because if you meet someone, you’ll get to know that person. Young people are often prejudiced because of what they have heard from their parents or at school or because of the war. These preconceived notions linger due to lack of contact. When these young people, who share a passion for music and play an instrument, meet each other, they will change their views. When they return home they’ll tell their friends and family about their experiences, which are mostly positive.
The Rock School wishes to merge the two locations in the future, but only when the situation allows this.
As long as the city is not ready for a collaboration between the Albanian and Serbian population, there will be two locations. The Rock School uses new media to ensure that the two locations will remain one school.On 21 September 2011, students of the Rock School gave a performance in Tivoli, Utrecht (the Netherlands) during Peace Night (Nacht van de Vrede). Students of the ECL high school have collected €1250,00 for the Mitrovica Rock School during the MasterPeace top week!
We would like to thank you for this, also on behalf of the Rock School!
For more information about the Rock School, please visit: http://www.musicianswithoutborders.org/p_poprock.htm
Nathalie Roos
Loading ...
Beste Nathalie,
Wat een goed nieuws! Ik werk voor Musicians without Borders als de projectmanager van de Mitrovica Rock School en woon zelf in Mitrovica. Heel veel dank voor jullie steun, met dit soort hulp kunnen we steeds meer rockende jongeren helpen een deuk in de situatie te slaan. Veel dank ook aan de scholieren, super!
Hartelijke groet uit Kosovo,
Wendy
Beste Wendy,
Leuk om van je te horen! Ik geef je berichtje door aan de leerlingen.
Groet!
Nathalie Roos