"Let's celebrate diversity, not spread hate! Let's shape the future together" – that's the central message of a special anthem. The applause from the 6,500 spectators during half-time in the FC Bayern basketball side's 94-86 win over Göttingen was not only a sign of appreciation, but also a tangible sign of approval. As part of a collaboration between FC Bayern and the Jewish Chamber Orchestra Munich, 300 children and young people from 16 different schools gave a live performance of a specially composed anti-racism anthem in the context of the FCB initiative ‘Red Against Racism’ – a signal for joint commitment to diversity and against discrimination of any kind. "After this fantastic premiere, 'Red Against Racism' is not only visible, but also audible," said president Herbert Hainer.
When young voices are raised in favour of solidarity, diversity and respect, it creates more than just music - it creates movement. Sport and music reach and connect many people, "and values such as open-mindedness and community spirit can be conveyed wonderfully," explained Benny Folkmann, managing director of FC Bayern eV and, along with Andreas Werner, head of the initiative: "We wanted to send a clear signal from the young people today." ‘Red against Racism’ is not just about "holding up a slogan once a year, but about having a lasting and substantive impact", the duo continued. The guiding principle of the initiative is ‘encounters’, which is why a joint sports programme was also carried out with the pupils during rehearsals at the FC Bayern Campus.
300 children sing against racism
Julia Grossmann, founding director and chairwoman of the Friends of the Jewish Chamber Orchestra Munich, was delighted: "Today we witnessed 300 children singing together against racism - all my hope lies with these young people. FC Bayern has such a global appeal, and when a club like this says “Red against racism”, it sends out a strong signal. The message of this anthem is that we are all called upon to shape a peaceful future." As a conductor, you "always have to give 120 per cent" to the music, explained Daniel Grossmann, who conducted the piece in a ‘Red against Racism’ hoodie and FCB trousers: "This anthem was a personal matter and close to my heart, and you could feel how the children live this message." The composer of the anthem, Leon Zmelty, added: "An anthem creates identity per se, but I've never experienced it as strongly as today. The preparations were already impressive: we had regular composition workshops with the young people who worked on the anthem together. It has great stylistic diversity."
The aim of this extraordinary project was to set an example for tolerance and against exclusion - with united voices from the centre of society. The commitment of the pupils, teachers, musicians and partner institutions impressively demonstrated that racism has no place in our society - and young people are prepared to stand up for it loudly and creatively. The singing pupils came from the following schools: Wittelsbacher Straße Middle School, Marieluise-Fleißer Seciondary, Aktion Sonnenschein Montessori School, Theodolinden Grammar School, Käthe Kollwitz Grammar School, Theresien Grammar School, Ludwigs Grammar School, Unterföhring Grammar School, Christoph-Probst Grammar School Gilching, Rudolf-Diesel Secondary, Luitpold Grammar school, Luise-Kiesselbach Primary, An der Würm e.V Music School and the Georg-Büchner Secondary. The orchestra was made up of pupils from the Nymphenburg schools, the Freising music school and private pupils from JCOM. Professional musicians involved: Aljoscha Zierow (trumpet), Vanja Sedlak (saxophone), Odilo Zapf (trombone) and Gergö Matyas (tuba).
The lyrics:
Imagine if there were only people
with your skin tone and your sense of humour,
everyone would be the same, everything would be grey,
how boring would the world be, honestly?
Come on, let's be together rather than alone,
sport and music can be bridges,
no matter your style, your religion,
we are one team, one nation!
CHORUS
With dignity and solidarity,
courage and charity,
hand in hand and heart to heart,
diversity enriches us!
If we explore and fly,
why don't we live in peace?
We are faster than sound,
fly to the moon.
Isn't it easier,
if we stick together?
CHORUS
Red against racism!
Let's celebrate diversity,
not spread hate!
Let's shape the future together!
We are on the same ground.
Peace can only be maintained through respect.
CHORUS
Get more information at: https://www.jcom.de
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