15 March 2024
On the occasion of the bicentenary of Ludwig van Beethoven’s Ode to Joy, seven partners across the Cultural, Heritage and Civil Society sectors have launched a challenge calling for reinterpretations of the iconic symphony.
2024 also witnesses the European Parliament elections, that will take place from 6th to 9th June. The Ode 2 Joy Campaign aims to celebrate Europe’s unique legacy, which transcends music symbolising unity and diversity.
The challenge is open to citizens across the whole of Europe, including non-EU member states. Submissions may be made in any of the official or regional languages of Europe and participants can take part either as individuals or in groups - including Civil Society Organisations and NGOs.
All artistic interpretations are welcome, from symphonic orchestras to other musical genres such as rap or electro music; performances such as dance, theatre or flash mob; audiovisual content such as creative videos or graphic art; and written expression through means such as storytelling.
The deadline for submissions is 10 May 2024. All further information on how to apply can be found on the dedicated Ode2Joy website.
"In the brilliance of the heavens and the thunder of fate, an eternal melody, the one Beethoven gave us after so many years of toil and suffering, arises: a symphony of universal brotherhood with its notes that carry the hope of better and brighter days.
And, suddenly, the baritone rises and invites us to change keys, to create, at last, a new key of Joy, Fraternity, Peace! "Freunde, nicht diese Töne!"
Alle Menschen werden Brüder (All Men Become Brothers), they all sing fervently. In this song, a promise of unity, a call for peace and solidarity that has since become our anthem as Europeans.
The strings vibrating with infinite passion, the brass sounding the call to harmony, every heartbeat, every breath, brings souls together in this unique work that will forever revolutionize the history of music.
Throughout the ages, this music has never ceased to resonate, bringing hope where despair resonates, where division makes its cruel passage, where nationalism destroys the most beautiful thing humanity is capable of doing. In each note, a call to love, to transcend borders, to break hate speech.
The Ode to Joy, a hymn to Humanity, guides our steps towards this fraternity to be attained. In your music, great Ludwig van Beethoven, a light, a reminder of what unites us is there, always present, always inspiring!
May this melody forever resonate like a song of Hope! In Peace, Love, Fraternity and Transcendence!
The Centre Européen de Musique/European Music Center is proud to be, among other institutions and foundations, at the origin of this initiative for a Europe "United in Diversity" and open to the world, launching this invitation to all contribute through the appropriation of this musical work and this poem, in the interpretation, in the creativity, in the transformation that everyone will be able to bring to the Ode to Joy by Schiller/Beethoven.
A vos âmes, citoyens !
Create, for therein lies the true emancipation of Humanity!!''
Jorge Chaminé, President & Founder of the Centre Européen de Musique
Playlist