All ‘prayer songs’ welcome
A solidarity march in song and music will be held in Dublin city this weekend to bear witness to the man-made famine and genocide unfolding in Palestine.
The event titled 'A Song for Palestine' will be held on Sunday, September 21 to coincide with the International Day of Peace and the eve of the Equinox.
Amongst the organising committee is Fionnuala Sexton originally from Grousehall, Bailieborough.
Event organiser Regina O’Connor said, “We are sending this prayer and song to the ears, the hearts and souls of all Palestinians. Join us to let them know in song: You are not alone.
“We ordinary people will gather le chéile with singers, musicians, supporters of the arts, heart to heart, soul to soul to bear witness to the horrific events. We are asking people to bring their voice, their music and their hearts. To come out with their tin whistles, their bodhráns, their guitars, their voices. To sing, play and send, ár ngrá our love, ár mbeannachtaí our blessings, ár paidreacha our prayers, across the wind and bridges, down the Liffey to the ocean to end suffering, and call in healing and a lasting just and fair peace.”
O’Connor worked for 11 years across three EU institutions in Brussels, serving in her first role at the European Commission Middle East Peace Process Desk. During that time, the US called for an Independent Palestinian state living side by side with Israel in peace.
“Twenty-two years later, we are witnessing confirmed man-made famine; genocide, failing politics, increasing violence and death and what appears presently, little pathway to peaceful and equitable settlement,” she says.
She says the organisers were inspired by the “enduring legacy of the empathy” of the Choctaw Nation’s symbolic gesture of support to Ireland during our famine, Regina and a group have come together to host, march and sing for an equitable, just and lasting peace on International Day of Peace.
They would love you, your families and your communities to join them and bring your voice. Participants will gather at Custom House, Custom House Quay, Dublin 1 at 1pm. Gardaí will be in attendance to support.
O’Connor continued: “We are aiming to gather le chéile, as many artists from across this isle and beyond, to send the magic essence of Éire, our music, across the wind, waters and land to Palestine. So that we can be a bridge to love and peace and may it be heard, felt by and offer solace and solidarity to the Palestinian people.”
From Custom House, the peace walk will follow a route crossing Talbot Bridge and along to Samuel Beckett Bridge.
“Our choice of bridge is very much intentional,” said O’Connor. “Uniquely, Ireland has a musical instrument as a national emblem and the Samuel Beckett bridge represents our harp. Furthermore, we will walk by the Famine Memorial, equally intentional as we bear witness to the man-made famine in Gaza.”
Musicians supporting the march include songwriter and musician Jack L, Kíla fiddle player Dee Armstrong, singer-songwriter Áine Tyrrell, singer Kathy Nugent, composer Susan Quirke and members of Overhead the Albatross. Six songs including Óró Sé do Bheatha ‘Bhaile and A Mother’s Heart will be sung as they walk. Everyone is invited to sing and play instruments.
O’Connor concluded: “We send this prayer song to inspire healing to all, as it ripples across the wind, water and bridges to melt hearts and inspire a just and equitable peace for all.”