Today, I want to talk about a topic that is very personal and deep to my heart. I want to talk about violence. I want to talk about injustice. I want to talk about murder and oppression. I want to talk about Venezuela.
It is said that music is the gateway to the soul, and that is what Gabriela Montero - a renowned Venezuelan pianist- expresses through her ExPatria composition. Gabriela brings to light the corruption and oppression that takes place in Venezuela through her magnificent composition.
Today - right now more than ever - her ExPatria portrays the incredible sorrows, hopelessness and loss the Venezuelan people are going through.
Her composition paints the macabre actions of the military against unarmed civilians. ExPatria cries the sorrows of young adults risking their lives to create change. Gabriela gives a platform to mothers, fathers, professionals and every Venezuelan to express their anger against the greedy politicians destroying a country.
Since the beginning, Gabriela has always been an active voice against the Venezuelan government. I value her courage and active stand against the oppression in Venezuela. Through her music, I have been able to connect and understand how "music is the noblest expression of who we are as human beings". She helps me see how "stepping outside of my comfort zone" and trying out the things my heart sings for is the best form of self expression, and ultimately of connection and communication with every human being.
In the documentary (video down below!), she recounts her experience and how it led her to compose ExPatria. I hope you enjoy the last fifteen minutes of the video, as she takes on the stage to play her beautiful orchestra composition :)
What I find funny (not in a joke way, but rather in a sad way) is that she composed this for a 2012 concert. That was five years ago. Today, in 2017, the situation in Venezuela has not changed. Actually, the situation is terribly worse. We send food and basic necessities, because people cannot find or afford them. Hospitals are completely empty of anything. People die, not because there are no doctors, but because of lack of material. There are no raw materials, because the government has expropriated lands and industries (which they don't know how to run!). There is a complete shut down of the system.
When will this end? Does it have an end? And when it ends, how does a society need to change, so that the same thing doesn't happen again? Who is responsible for this?!
I want to share this experience with you, because it is through sharing our losses and struggles that we can find help and inspire others to be better. Also, I want to let the world know. Do you have something that you want the let the world know, too?
I hope you guys have a great rest of the week. Feel free to share any ideas for collaborations or projects for the future! :)
Be strong, be unique, and step outside of your comfort zone!