In Hungary, media has paid little or no attention to a major cultural celebration scheduled for March 1 in Berlin, Germany. The Berliner Philharmoniker, the Konzerthausorchester Berlin and the Staatskapelle Berlin have decided to invite refugees, their families and helpers to a concert entitled, “Welcome among us.” (More about the concert in German here.)
The concert will feature the three orchestras with their chief conductors: Daniel Barenboim, Sir Simon Rattle and Hungary’s own Iván Fischer. The artists want to extend a warm welcome to people who have fled their homes and thank the many full-time and volunteer helpers for their work.
Daniel Barenboim,
The program:
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Piano Concerto in D minor K. 466
Staatskapelle Berlin, Daniel Barenboim Conductor and Piano
Ludwig van Beethoven
Symphony No. 7 in A major op. 92
Berliner Philharmoniker, Sir Simon Rattle Conductor
Sir Simon Rattle
Sergei Prokofiev
Symphony No. 1 in D major op. 25 Symphonie classique
Konzerthausorchester Berlin, Iván Fischer Conductor
Iván Fischer
While in Budapest the Orbán government spreads xenophobia, Berlin celebrates human compassion with a great concert.
Don’t misunderstand me, the European refugee problem requires coordination and solidarity at the EU level; but the Orbán-government’s refusal to provide basic help to the needy is inhumane. In an interview with Hungary’s Népszabadság, Greece’s Minister for European Affairs, Nikos Xydakis said that while PM Orbán criticized Athens for its refugee policies, he denied humanitarian help. “We have not received a single blanket or a tent within the EU Civil Protection Mechanism until the end of January.”
Meanwhile Mr. Orbán has spent billions of taxpayer funds to make life for refugees as unpleasant as possible. Razor-wire fences, threatening billboards and overcrowded facilities. His policies proved to be a smashing success as refugees have no desire to stay in Hungary; they try to get out as soon as possible. It is shameful.
We congratulate Maestro Iván Fischer for being part of the Berlin concert. The majority of Hungarians are proud of him. I wish I could be there.
György Lázár
