Music makers across borders
Two countries as far apart as Northern Ireland and Sri Lanka have come together in the name of the universal language of music. The Music Project from Sri Lanka in collaboration with Beyond Skin from Northern Ireland has launched their cultural education project “Parallel VersingT” which aims on a musical exchange between two vastly different cultures.
Linked in: Students from Jayashanka Kanishta Vidyalaya
Beyond Skin was established in 2004 to use music, art, multimedia and radio as a tool for cultural education and exchange in an aim to address sectarianism and the rise in racism. Beyond Skin comprises a diverse team of over 40 nationalities who live in Northern Ireland.
The pilot scheme began with five schools in Sri Lanka in Kurunegala and Mullaitivu. The task of choosing the schools that were to take part in the pilot scheme was solely in the hands of the Music Project team. Explaining why schools these areas were chosen, the founder of the Music Project Shalini Wickramasuriya said, “We were careful not to go with the privileged parts of the country and the ones who are capable of providing themselves with instruments and musical knowledge. The project was aimed at promoting positive attributes reflected from a society made up of different cultures.”
In Sri Lanka from April 20, the Beyond Skin team equipped five local schools with recording equipment and training also supporting them to gain upscale internet accessibility. Darren Ferguson, Manager of Beyond Skin said, “In a trip to Sri Lanka in January 2012 I was introduced to the perfect Sri Lanka partner for Beyond Skin that shared our ethos and had our spirit to take risks. So it is a joy to finally see our vision become reality.”
Modern technology makes anything possible. “We worked together with a school in Northern Ireland- Newtownbreda High School, Belfast. “We established a live link with them over the phone. A young student in Belfast sang a song to a classroom in Sri Lanka. The singing was supported by the music of the students in Sri Lanka. We have a lot of similarities and we have a lot to learn from each other,” said Mr. Ferguson.
They also have an internet radio station: Homely Planet where you can listen online to multi-cultural music, shows, discussions, talks, arts and media content. With the participation of nearly 500 students the Parallel VersingT has been a real success. The schools were provided with instruments and The Music Project promises that it will be a monitored process. It is supported by the Esufally Family Foundation, Musicares Foundation and the South Eastern Education Library Board through CRED funding.
The schools that participated included Lakdasa College, Kurunegala, Pothubowa Maha Vidyalaya-Mawathagama, Gunanda Maha Vidyalaya- Kurunegala, Mallavi Central College- Mullativu, Yohapuram Maha Vidyalaya- Mullativu and Jayashanka Kanishta Vidyalaya- Kurunegala.
Those interested could also follow the progress of the project on twitter. #parallelversing Iinternet Radio Broadcasts will also be hosted on www.homelyplanet.org <http://www.homelyplanet.org
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