RAMALLAH, January 24, 2009 (WAFA)- The Edward Said National Conservatory of Music (ESNCM) organized a fund raising concert on Sunday 11 January at the Ramallah Cultural Palace, in solidarity with the children of Gaza.

In its monthly newsletter, ESNCM said that the concert was attended by families of the students and friends of the Conservatory.

An eight year old student at the Conservatory Shahd Sawalha, dedicated the concert to Gaza children, she said “to you who are facing the worst shelling, to you who are holding firm with honor and steadfastness against the horrors of the Israeli military … we want you to know we are with you.”

As for the conductor, Emanuael Pasqualine, from Italy, he exclaimed, “I know that the war is far from my country, but now, while I am here, I witness it in the eyes of the children, and through their determination in their playing, I understand what war is and their resistance is to be heard in their music.”

In his turn the Director General of the Conservatory Suhail Khoury, invited the audience to participate in this fund raising, “we know that Gaza and its people are devastated, there are many priorities, urgent health care, shelter, food and water, but we also know that the new music school of Gaza, established only six months ago has been completely damaged. It is of concern to us and to all those who want to bring music to the lives of the children of Gaza”.

The fund raising continues until the end of the month of January.