"Corona, the day after...."

Is there a particular song you listen to when you’re experiencing strong emotions? Such as sadness, anxiety, loneliness, or anger…? Perhaps you feel heartbroken, ill or cold, or disconnected from the world? In other words: what is your 'musical medicine'?

This question was asked at the beginning of a training session with our group from MedeArts in Irbid, Jordan. Under the 'digital guidance' of trainers Hashem Kabreet and Maite van der Marel, we ran a five day training session. We were projected on a big screen, while our SoC trainer-to-be Amjad Mestarehi was guiding the group in real life, in our most favourite place in Jordan: "Garage".

'Garage' is a very colourful and artsy space in the north of Jordan (Irbid) that MedeArts created for artists to practice, experiment and perform. It's meant as an open space for various people to meet and exchange. Our group of trainees consist of people in the age of 19-25, all coming from different countries like Iraq, Yemen, Jordan and Syria. Some of them have a musical background, some of them don't.

While listening to each others’ ‘musical medicine’ the group members wrote down the first words that came to mind. Feelings, colours, images, memories, even physical sensations. Featured words that were put forward included: nostalgia, caring, smokey black, a dance of souls, positive, freedom of speech, not lonely, a conversation between reality and fantasy, unlimited love and energy.

This inspiration became their guideline for new compositions around the concept of "What after Corona...?" While considering any possible silver linings of this crisis, they started to think about a new future perspective.

What came out was a deeply touching performance consisting of three songs, each with a strong individual message.

The group was driven to make a high quality product and to make sure the lyrics would be understood by people both in and outside of the Arab world. They professionally recorded each song, produced video's with lyrical translations and implemented cues to help the audience to sing along. This not only shows how strongly the group functioned as one team, but also how independent they were. We (Hashem and Maite) were guiding the creative process from a great distance, but the group took it to the next level without us! 

The group released the videos to an online audience last week and we are very happy to share it with you too! So please be encouraged, touched and inspired by these ‘Changemakers' and how they used this moment as a turning point to start creating a better world.

We proudly present you “Corona, the day after…”:

The world is at an important juncture and we strongly believe that we should be listening to these young people. Having been through previous crises, they have an impressive amount of strength, wisdom and experience to share with, and inspire others. Please feel free to share the music with your friends, family and social network.