The West-Eastern Divan Orchestra is marking more than 25 years of activity with a week-long festival in Berlin, according to Al-Monitor. The ensemble, established in 1999 by conductor Daniel Barenboim and US-Palestinian intellectual Edward Said, unites roughly 100 performers from Israel, the Palestinian Territories, and Arab nations. The upcoming event aims to share the orchestra’s work with a wider audience, a goal outlined by Barenboim in an email to the publication.
Barenboim, an 83-year-old Argentine-Israeli citizen who received Palestinian citizenship in 2008, stated that the group’s mission to foster dialogue endures despite complex internal relations. He noted that the ensemble’s message of peace must remain prominent. The orchestra’s dynamics have been particularly strained since the Hamas-led attacks on Israel in October 2023 and the subsequent war in Gaza, which have intensified political divides among the members.
Despite these challenges, musicians report that close proximity during tours has facilitated deeper understanding. Israeli violist Tal Riva Theodorou, a member since 2004, described early conversations as heavy but noted that the group has grown closer through shared practice. Palestinian double bassist Fadwa Qamhia, who is from the occupied West Bank, explained that long bus rides during European tours allow for dialogue that might not otherwise occur. She described the experience as an exercise in humanity and freedom, noting that the shared musical environment offers a respite from the daily realities of occupation and checkpoints.
The musicians maintain a strong bond through their respect for Barenboim, who confirmed a Parkinson’s disease diagnosis last year. Qamhia described Barenboim’s relationship with the ensemble as parental, noting that he feels the pain of the region’s stagnation. Ahead of the festival, Barenboim attended a rehearsal in Berlin, where he held the post of general music director at the State Opera for many years.
In a written statement, Barenboim warned that the greatest danger is that those who desire peace are overwhelmed by extremists and violence. He expressed his conviction that the Israeli and Palestinian populations share a common destiny, a belief that continues to underpin the orchestra’s work as it enters its next phase of activity.