European Music Trails
The Project ‘European Music Trails: Europe in Leipzig – from Leipzig to Europe’ focuses on the role of music as a uniting force throughout the history of Europe. Europe has experienced periods of freedom, equality, and fraternity, as well as times of violence, revolution, and radical political changes. Europe continues to face great challenges; across Europe, intensive discussions are taking place, concerning national identities, common European values and citizen participation in social processes.
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Europe in Leipzig – from Leipzig to Europe
Europe is not static! it is continuously developing as citizens from different nationalities meet each other, form relationships and communicate. Through active participation in cultural heritage, we find shared values that help us understand each other and coexist across the diverse cultures of European countries. Music is the common language of Europe, transcending national peculiarities. Edvard Grieg, Mikalojus Konstantinas ÄŒiurlionis and Clara Schumann are great examples of truly European musicians as they were not only artists and outstanding cultural ambassadors, but also active citizens in both their respective countries and Europe as a whole.They all had close connections to Leipzig and wove the knowledge and experiences of Leipzig into their music even after their returned back to their homes.
The work of these three musicians can help us understand the emotionally charged topics that continues to trouble us. Building on this musical legacy and developing it with time, helps us acknowledge the connective power of music and unity in diversity. European Musical Trails’ stems from a belief that through sharing our culture, we enrich ourselves as well as each other.
In ‘European Musical Trails’ there has been an exchange of artists between Lithuania (Mikalojus Konstantinas ÄŒiurlionis), Norway (Edvard Grieg) and Germany (Clara Schumann), and the project has focused on raising awareness of European cultural heritage.
