In Quebec, Canada, teacher Nancy Fall has been using music to bring together refugee and immigrant children with volunteers. Today's article from CBC features her latest project: a remixed version of the popular Quebec song "Tojours Vivant," complete with choreography and a music video. The project was a way to not only help newly arrived children learn French, but to connect them with older Quebec citizens and bring the community together.
One of the participants, Ludovic Dubé, said that "as a musician, [he] thinks with rhythm, [people] can move in the same direction...that's why music is a central builder of culture."
This project was also intergenerational, as many of the Quebec citizens involved were elders. Through this video, they were able to learn about the younger generation in their city and the refugee children were able to "gain the wisdom that is part of Quebec's history."
The music video filming took place during the COVID-19 lockdown in Canada, but they were still able to put it together while social distancing. Because it was virtual, it was able to reach more residents of Quebec and foster relationships within in the city.
With every example of virtual connections, I realize how important music is during this time. Refugee families across the US and other countries can feel increasingly isolated with quarantine restrictions, but the power of videos like this one from Quebec can help to unite communities, even from afar.
Be sure to watch the music video linked in the article! It is a vibrant, lively celebration of culture and family. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/refugee-students-remix-popular-quebec-song-for-seniors-1.5642098