On October 14, 2020, the UNHCR (United Nations High Commission for Refugees) released a song called "Shine Your Light," sending a message of hope and resilience to people across the world. What makes this song even more special is that it was a collaboration between Indian musician and composer Ricky Kej, famous Indian artists like Aditya Narayan, and refugee musicians from Myanmar, Afghanistan, and more. It was not only a masterclass in composition and performance, but one in empathy and understanding. Several of the musicians who arrived as refugees were forced to flee in the midst of their training as singers or instrumentalists, so this song provided them the opportunity to return to what they love most. The song is beautifully written and performed, and it reminds us that music is one of the best ways to connect with the refugee community. With organizations like the UNHCR continuing to recognize the power of the arts, it inspires me to continue making change with HeartBEATS in Phoenix and beyond.
Link to the full performance: https://www.unhcr.org/en-us/news/stories/2020/10/5f86e53a4/refugees-join-voices-song-hope-kindness.html
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