Water & wetlands are inseparably connected and are vital to human life & the health of our planet. Yet, humans use more freshwater than nature can replenish, with devastating consequences for wetlands.
Tuesday 2 February is #WorldWetlandsDay. Join the ForumMonday, 1 February 2021
Tuesday, 26 January 2021
International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust 2021; January 27
Honoring on January 27th the courage and dedication shown by the soldiers who liberated the concentration camps, Reaffirming that the Jewish Holaucaust, which resulted in the murder of one third of the Jewish people along with countless members of other minorities, will forever be a warning to all people of the dangers of hatred, bigotry, racism.
FORUM: International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust 2021; 27 January “Facing the Aftermath: Recovery and Reconstitution after the Holocaust”
AUDIO PODCAST: In Their Words: Surviving the Holocaust. Finding Hope.
The United Nations in Geneva will mark the International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust with a programme of activities built around the theme of this year's commemoration, Facing the Aftermath: Recovery and Reconstitution after the Holocaust.
From 25-31 January 2021
Online and at Beth Yaacov Great Synagogue, Place de la Synagogue 11, Geneva
"Keeping the Memory Alive - Dimensions in Testimony" - This innovative video project keeps the memory of Holocaust survivors alive by featuring their interactive biographies on the exterior walls of the Beth Yaacov Great Synagogue of Geneva. Online users can interact live with Holocaust survivors, both in English and German, asking them personal questions and get real-time responses from pre-recorded video interviews, using the USC Shoah Foundation’s ‘Dimensions in Testimony’ technology; Organized jointly by the European Union Delegation and the Permanent Mission of Israel in Geneva, together with the United Nations in Geneva, the Communauté Israélite de Genève, and the World Jewish Congress, in cooperation with the USC Shoah Foundation. View the interactive biographies daily from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. or engage online until 8 February.
Tuesday, 26 January 2021, at 1 p.m. - Online event
Ciné-ONU virtual screening of The Albanian Code, a documentary feature with unique archival footage, unveiling the unknown story of the rescue of thousands of Jews in the Second World War, followed by a panel discussion …. Organized jointly by the United Nations Information Service Geneva, the United Nations Information Service Vienna, and the United Nations Regional Information Center Brussels. Registration:
Wednesday, 27 January 2021, at 12 noon
Room XX at the Palais des Nations, Geneva
Streamed live at http://webtv.un.org/
The official ceremony of the United Nations in Geneva will pay tribute to those who perished in Nazi death camps. Holocaust survivor Fanny Ben-Amy will tell of her family experience of loss and survival. The ceremony will feature remarks by Ms. Tatiana Valovaya, UN Geneva Director-General, Ambassador Meirav Eilon Shahar, Permanent Representative of Israel, and Ambassador Michael Freiherr von Ungern-Sternberg, Permanent Representative of Germany. It will also include several musical interludes by the renowned Israeli pianist Amit Weiner. English and French interpretation will be provided.
*No registration needed. Because of health measures related to the current pandemic, we invite you to follow the ceremony online.
For more information visit the on the Holocaust and the United Nations Outreach Programme;
MESSAGES ON THE OCCASION OF THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF COMMEMORATION IN MEMORY OF THE VICTIMS OF THE HOLOCAUST
H.E. Mr. Bogdan Aurescu, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Romania
VIRTUA CREATIVE PRESENTS
UN CHAMBER MUSIC SOCIETY
VIRTUAL CONCERT ON OCCASION OF THE
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF COMMEMORATION
IN MEMORY OF THE VICTIMS OF THE HOLOCAUST
VIRTUAL GLOBAL LAUNCH:
Wednesday, 27 January 2021
7:00 PM EST (New York time)
WATCH THE CONCERT ON: UNITED NATIONS
On 27 January 2021, the anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz death camp, the UN Chamber Music Society of the United Nations Staff Recreation Council (UNCMS), will perform a virtual concert in memory of the victims of the Holocaust. The Holocaust was a turning point in history, which prompted the world to say "never again". The classical music programme will feature Jewish composers, to instill the memory of the tragedy in future generations to prevent genocide from occurring again.
Founded in 2016, the UN Chamber Music Society carries out the United Nations’ mission of peace, understanding and cooperation, through the universal language of music. All musicians will perform chamber ensemble music from the safety of their homes, to help stem the spread of the coronavirus.
Message
H.E. Mr. António Guterres
UN Secretary-General
Remarks
Melissa Fleming
UN Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications
Professor Roger Berkowitz,
Director of the Hannah Arendt Center
UN Chamber Music Society
of the United Nations Staff Recreation Council
Brenda Vongova, Artistic Director
Kol Nidrei (An ancient Jewish prayer, that all of the Jewish victims knew by heart.)
Ori Wissner Levy (Violin)
Performed in the Treblinka Death Camp, in a forest north-east of Warsaw, Poland.
ERNEST BLOCH (1880 - 1959) Baal Shem: II. Nigun
David Strongin (Violin), Brenda Vongova (Piano)
MICHELLE DIBUCCI (1961 - ) "Wenn Ich Dich Sehe" aria from the ballet-opera Charlotte Saloman: Der Tod und die Malerin
Clare McNamara (Mezzo-Soprano), Krystof Witek (Violin Solo), Ted Mook (Cello),
Kohei Yamaguchi (Bass), Tanya Witek (Flute/Piccolo), Lisa Kozenko (Oboe),
Saerom Kim (Clarinet), John Falcone (Bassoon/Alto Saxophone), Ehren L. Valmé (Trombone),
Anran Qian (Piano), Tom Betsalel (Vibraphone)
YAMEN SAADI (1997 - ) Introduction and Longa, Op.1
Yamen Saadi (Violin)
JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH (1685 - 1750) Cello Suite No. 2 in D minor, Sarabande
Alexander Warenberg, Cello
GUSTAV MAHLER (1860 - 1911) Kindertotenlieder (Songs of the Deaths of Children):
IV. "Oft denk' ich, sie sind nur ausgegangen"
Clare McNamara (Mezzo-Soprano), Marie Gitman (Oboe), Ben Goldscheider (Horn), Anran Qian (Piano)
MAX REGER (1873 - 1916) Three Suites for Solo Viola, Op. 131d: Suite No. 1 in G Minor: I. Molto sostenuto
Sindy Mohamed, Viola
JULIUS KLENGEL (1859 - 1933) Hymnus for 12 Celli
Derek Louie (Cello)
MICHAEL COHEN (1938 - ) "I Remember" from the musical Yours, Anne (Lyrics by Enid Futterman)
Britt Hewitt (Soprano), Jaye Simmons (Mezzo-Soprano), Brenda Vongova (Piano), Nathan Melzer (Violin), Derek Louie (Cello), Saerom Kim (Clarinet), Jordan James (French Horn)
Shalom Aleichem (Traditional Jewish prayer)
David Strongin (Violin)
Performed in the Buchenwald concentration camp.
SPECIAL THANKS
UN Department of Global Communications
The Holocaust and the United Nations Outreach Programme
Recording of Bloch’s Nigun:
High Line Nine
Christina Maxwell, Manager
Artist Kyle Meyer, represented by Yossi Milo Gallery
Collection Jewish Historical Museum, Amsterdam
© Charlotte Salomon Foundation
Charlotte Salomon®
Artwork of Poster: The Pattern of My Surrender (two)
Courtesy of Artist Naomi Safran-Hon and Slag Gallery
In the piece The Pattern of My Surrender (two) the barbwire is woven into the grid pattern before embedding it into lace and cement, the cement is holding both the lace and the barbwire together.
(28x40 inches, Acrylic, cement, barbed wire and lace, 2019)
VERY SPECIAL THANKS
Video Editing
Daniel Drake, Video Editor
Audio Production
VIRTUA CREATIVE
Edward Bilous, Artistic Director and Producer
Keren Minto, Production Coordinator
Greg Kalember, Mix Engineer
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For complete list of the 2021 Holocaust Remembrance Calendar of Events:
Sunday, 24 January 2021
International Day of Education 2021; January 24
When education is interrupted, it affects everyone – especially students, teachers and families.
Today, on the third International Day of Education, I pay tribute to their resilience in the face of a pandemic that, at its peak, forced almost every school, institute and university to close its doors.
Although this disruption has led to learning innovations, it has also dashed hopes of a brighter future among vulnerable populations.
All of us pay the price.
After all, education is the foundation for expanding opportunities, transforming economies, fighting intolerance, protecting our planet and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
As the world continues to battle the pandemic, education – as a fundamental right and a global public good – must be protected to avert a generational catastrophe.
Even before the pandemic, some 258 million children and adolescents were out of school, the majority of them girls.
More than half of 10-year-olds in low- and middle-income countries were not learning to read a simple text.
In 2021, we must seize all opportunities to turn this situation around.
We must ensure the full replenishment of the Global Partnership for Education fund, and strengthen global education cooperation.
We must also step up our efforts to reimagine education – training teachers, bridging the digital divide and rethinking curricula to equip learners with the skills and knowledge to flourish in our rapidly changing world.
Let us commit to promote education for all — today and every day.
World Braille Day 2021, 4 January
Using the Braille Science Code - Supporting Blind and partially sighted people.
The Nemeth Braille Code for Mathematics is a Braille code for encoding mathematical and scientific notation linearly using standard six-dot Braille cells for tactile reading by the visually impaired. The code was developed by Abraham Nemeth. The Nemeth Code was first written up in 1952.
Thursday, 10 December 2020
Human Rights Day 2020, 10 December
UN CHAMBER MUSIC SOCIETY
VIRTUAL CONCERT IN CELEBRATION OF
HUMAN RIGHTS DAY
FEATURING COMPOSERS FROM DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS
VIRTUAL GLOBAL LAUNCH: UNITED NATIONS
Thursday, 10 December 2020
7pm Eastern Standard Time (New York)
WATCH THE PERFORMANCE: UNITED NATIONS
“Where, after all, do universal human rights begin? In small places, close to home -- so close and so small that they cannot be seen on any maps of the world. [...] Unless these rights have meaning there, they have little meaning anywhere. Without concerted citizen action to uphold them close to home, we shall look in vain for progress in the larger world."
~ Eleanor Roosevelt
In celebration of Human Rights Day on 10 December 2020, the UN Chamber Music Society of the United Nations Staff Recreation Council (UNCMS), will perform a concert – to celebrate the adoption in 1948 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). The UDHR is a milestone document proclaiming the inalienable rights which everyone is inherently entitled to as a human being regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Available in more than 500 languages, it is the most translated document in the world.
The music programme will feature and celebrate musical works by female composers and composers of minority communities, representing an artistic tapestry of composers from diverse backgrounds. By celebrating the works of composers from diverse backgrounds, we help to realign the world of classical music with its nuanced history, while expanding notions of what is considered conventional in classical music – symbolizing our hopes of building bridges of understanding of human rights. Founded in 2016, the UN Chamber Music Society is dedicated to promoting the United Nations' goals and values at large - through the universal language of music.
Support the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
https://donatenow.ohchr.org/
Opening Messages
Ilze Brands Kehris, Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights and Head of the Office
of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in New York
Derrick León Washington
Senior Regional Human Rights Fellow at the Office
of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in New York
Ndaba Mandela
Founder & Chairman of Mandela Institute for Humanity
UN Chamber Music Society
of the United Nations Staff Recreation Council
Brenda Vongova, Artistic Director
Featuring
Carol Wincenc (Flutist) ● Nancy Allen (NY Philharmonic Harpist) ● Velléda Miragias (Boston Philharmonic Cellist) ● Charles Neidich (Clarinetist) ● Ayaka Oshima (Clarinetist) ● Opus Illuminate
GRACE MOORE (2008 - ) Summer (arr. for the UN Chamber Music Society)
Derek Louie (Cello), Amir Farsi (Flute), Keeheon Nam (Clarinet), Brenda Vongova (Piano)
GERMAINE TAILLEFERRE (1892 – 1983) Pastorale for Flute and Harp
Professor Carol Wincenc (Flute), Nancy Allen (Principal Harpist, NY Philharmonic)
SAMUEL COLERIDGE-TAYLOR (1875 - 1912) Petite Suite de Concert, Op. 77: II. Demande et reponse
David Strongin (Violin), Brenda Vongova (Piano)
CHARLES NEIDICH (1953 - ) "Why"
Charles Neidich (Clarinet), Ayako Oshima (Clarinet)
FRANCISCA GONZAGA (1847 - 1935) Atraente (arr. Guilherme Andreas)
Professor Carol Wincenc (Flute), Velléda Miragias (Associate Principal Cellist, Boston Philharmonic)
JOSEPH BOLOGNE CHEVALIER DE SAINT-GEORGES (1745-1799) String Quartet in D, Opus 1, No. 6, Mvmt. 1
Opus Illuminate: Nathan Meltzer (Violin), Phoenix Avalon (Violin), Devin Moore (Viola), Derek Louie (Cello)
SPECIAL THANKS
UN Department of Global Communications
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in New York
Katarina Mansson
New York Philharmonic
Very Young Composers
Professor Carol Wincenc
Opus Illuminate
National Arts Diversity Integration Association (NADIA)
Artwork of Poster: Peter Mah
VERY SPECIAL THANKS
Jacob Sachs-Mishalanie, Audio Engineer
Rebecca Bai, Video Editor
Saturday, 24 October 2020
United Nations Day 2020, October 24
VIRTUA CREATIVE PRESENTS
UN CHAMBER MUSIC SOCIETY
“75 YEARS OF LOVE”
ALBUM IN CELEBRATION OF THE
75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE UNITED NATIONS
IN SUPPORT OF THE UN REFUGEE AGENCY
Saturday, 12 December 2020
@12:00pm EST (New York)
Listen to the entire album on Spotify, Deezer, Tidal, YouTube, TikTok, Pandora,
and all the major music distribution platforms worldwide.
WATCH THE ALBUM LAUNCH: UNITED NATIONS
On 12 December 2020, the UN Chamber Music Society (UNCMS) – in partnership with VIRTUA CREATIVE – will launch “75 YEARS OF LOVE,” the ensemble’s debut world music album, in support of the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), and in celebration of the United Nations 75th Anniversary. The programme will be musically representative at the regional level, as repertoire from all five official regional groups of the United Nations will be featured. The songs chosen will be linked to the message of the UN’s 75th anniversary. The album will feature World Classical Music and World Pop Music – and will be launched on the various UN platforms.
All donations and album profits received will be directed to support the humanitarian work of the UNHCR, which has provided for seventy-years life-saving assistance and protection to refugees globally. Founded in 2016, the UN Chamber Music Society is dedicated to promoting the United Nations’ goals and values at large - through the universal language of music.
OPENING MESSAGES
H.E. Mr. Volkan Bozkir
President of the 75th session of the General Assembly
Filippo Grandi
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Fabrizio Hochschild,
Special Adviser on Preparations for Seventy-Fifth United Nations Anniversary
Melissa Fleming,
UN Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications
ALBUM PROGRAMME
UN Chamber Music Society
of the United Nations Staff Recreation Council
Brenda Vongova, Artistic Director
(I) Latin American and Caribbean Group
BOB MARLEY (1945 - 1981) One Love (arr. Edward Bilous for the UN Chamber Music Society)
Julian Marley (Singer), Sara Marley (Singer), Addis Pablo (Melodica), Vivaldo Brown (Nyabinghi Drums), Hana Mundiya (Violin), Rohan Mundiya (Violin), Florrie Marshall (Viola), Derek Louie (Cello), Daniel Chmielinski (Bass), Brenda Vongova (Piano), Audrey Martell (Back-up vocalist), Janice Pendarvis (Back-up vocalist), LaJuan Carter (Back-up vocalist)
Recording for Sara Marley’s vocals:
Julian Miller and Ms. Lauryn Hill
Recording for Julian Marley:
Aston Barrett Jr., Engineer and Floyd “John GQ” Barrett, Co-Engineer
SAMUEL ZYMAN (1956 - ) Suite de la Mancha, III. Dulcinea
Eva Ding (Flute), Derek Louie (Cello), Brenda Vongova (Piano)
(II) African Group
CHRISTOPHER TIN (1976 - ) "Baba Yetu" from Calling All Dawns (arr. for the UN Chamber Music Society)
Hana Mundiya (Violin), Rohan Mundiya (Violin), Florrie Marshall (Viola), Drake Driscoll (Cello), Brenda Vongova (Piano)
(III) Asia-Pacific Group
GARRY SCHYMAN (1954 - ) "Praan" [Lyrics adapted from the poem "Stream of Life" from Gitanjali by RABINDRANATH TAGORE (1861 - 1941)] (arr. Edward Bilous)
Mai Fujisawa (Singer), Little Carol Choir, Hana Mundiya (Violin), Rohan Mundiya (Violin), Florrie Marshall (Viola), Derek Louie (Cello), Sarah Favinger (Bass), Brenda Vongova (Piano)
CHRISTOPHER TIN (1976 - ) "Dao Zai Fan Ye " from Calling All Dawns (arr. Gabriel Majou for the UN Chamber Music Society)
Eva Ding (Flute), Audrey Emata (Flute), Hana Mundiya (Violin), Florrie Marshall (Viola), Thapelo Masita (Cello), Brenda Vongova (Piano), Ehren L. Valmé (Trombone)
(IV) Eastern European Group
PYOTR ILYICH TCHAIKOVSKY (1840 – 1893) The Seasons, Op.37a, February (Carnival) June (Barcarolle) and October (Autumn Song)
Jerome Lowenthal (Piano)
PYOTR ILYICH TCHAIKOVSKY (1840 - 1893) Piano Trio in A minor, Op.50, TH.117: 2. (A) Tema con variazioni: Andante con moto & Coda – Lugubre
Sophia Stoyanovich (Violin), Noah Koh (Cello), Brenda Vongova (Piano)
(V) Western European Group
GIACOMO PUCCINI (1858 – 1924) “O mio babbino caro” from Gianni Schicchi (arr. Marina Lee)
Amy Burton (Singer), Hana Mundiya (Violin), Rohan Mundiya (Violin), Florrie Marshall (Viola), Thapelo Masita (Cello), Sarah Favinger (Bass), Audrey Emata (Flute), Sam Boutris (Clarinet), Michelle Gott (Harp)
GABRIEL FAURE (1845 - 1924) Pavane (arr. Marina Lee)
Alita Moses (Opera Singer), Hana Mundiya (Violin), Rohan Mundiya (Violin), Florrie Marshall (Viola), Thapelo Masita (Cello), Sarah Favinger (Bass), Brenda Vongova (Piano), Eva Ding (Flute), Sam Boutris (Clarinet), Lucian Avalon (Oboe), Cornelia Sommer (Bassoon), Jordan James (Horn), Michelle Gott (Harp)
****************************
If you wish to make a donation to support the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), please visit:
www.unrefugees.org/HelpRefugees2020
All donations are greatly appreciated.
SPECIAL THANKS
UN Department of Global Communications
UN Office of the President of the General Assembly
Mohammed Shaker
UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR)
Office of the Special Adviser on Preparations for Seventy-Fifth United Nations Anniversary
United Nations Information Service (UNIS) Vienna
Martin Nesirky
Christopher Tin
Sean Flahaven
Mai Fujisawa
Jacob Sachs-Mishalanie,
UNCMS Audio Engineer for “Broken Sail”
Rebecca Dixuan Bai,
UNCMS Video Editor for “Broken Sail”
Recording for Sara Marley’s vocals:
Julian Miller and Ms. Lauryn Hill
Recording for Julian Marley:
Aston Barrett Jr., Engineer and Floyd “John GQ” Barrett, Co-Engineer
Sara Marley
Julian Marley
Rohan Marley
Reggie Kerr
Artwork of Poster: © Robert Marley
Regal Marley
VERY SPECIAL THANKS
VIRTUA CREATIVE
Edward Bilous, Artistic Director and Producer
--
Michelle DiBucci, Producer
Keren Plowden, Production Manager
Greg Kalember, Mix Engineer
Steve Buonanotte, Audio Engineer
--
Rick Kaplan, Film Director and Director of Photography
Eliot Francese, Videographer, Editor
David Scherker, Video Editor
Jessica Rice, Art Designer
--
Katie Jenkins, Arranger
Marina Lee, Arranger
Shelbie Rassler, Arranger
Anran Qian, Digital Audio Preparation
Yusei Hata, Music Preparation
Mia Kyler, Assistant Production Coordinator
Brianna Johnson, Researcher
Eamon Kobel, Video Production Assistant
Noah Hawes, Audio Assistant
Josef Trepetin, Audio Assistant
Daniel Kantzler, Audio Assistant
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In Partnership with the Westchester Children’s Museum and Virtua Arts
Special Thanks to Pepsico
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