Today, Syria is again a beautiful name"
Interview | Gudrun Harrer, 21 April 2012, 12:19

Artikelbild
photo: sou b music

Malek Jandali plays on 28 April in the Vienna Konzerthaus, a charity concert for Syria.

The Syrian composer Malek Jandali dedicates his work of the Revolution - The regime sent into bat, the home of his parents

When he dedicated his music to the Syrian opposition, the regime sent its parent club in Homs to the house, who lives in the United States composer Malek Jandali told in an interview with Gudrun Harrer.

STANDARD: You are now your work at the service of the revolt in Syria, but do not belong to any political grouping.

Jandali: As an artist I have my art on the level of the historic moment - the revolution - lift. The people of Syria for the first time in decades, the cost of freedom - and they have learned to love them so that they are willing to die for it. There is no art without freedom. I try to document this truth through my music. This is not about politics but about humanity.

STANDARD: Many Syrians are afraid of what will come after Assad.

Jandali: We should look at what was in front of the Syrian Assad: We have economical and political diversity, creativity, there was no sectarian conflicts. The regime plays on fear, it will attempt to fracture the people. So do all dictators. But there is only one question, and that is: Who killed who? In Syria, the dictator kills his own people. Think of the German Army before the shelling Berlin ... But the Syrian army, that's not a Syrian army, because it kills Syrians. The Syrians retake patriotism. I've never had in my life a Syrian flag, I was never a patriot, as the name of my country has always been associated with the name of the dictator. I have not liked Assad, Syria, so I have not liked. Today, Syria is again a beautiful name, and Assad is separated from him. And I have a Syrian flag, those from before Assad.

STANDARD: What do you say to those Syrians - including many Christians - who have not yet joined the rebellion?

Jandali: I tell them: No one can support a regime that is killing children and raping women. We have a problem, we have cancer, and we should have no fear that we lose in the treatment of the hair. We need to get rid of the cancer that kills us. The Christians are very active in the revolution. Everything else is propaganda of the regime that controls all media.

STANDARD: You have your music at the funeral of Marie Colvin, who played in Homs killed U.S. journalist.

Jandali: You have played from my album "Emessa" (Homs). Their last stop on their journey in search of truth and beauty was Homs, my hometown. It was my first funeral revolution, very emotional. Marie was a very brave woman, I only have my music.

STANDARD: They come from Baba himself Amro, the devastated neighborhood in Homs.

Jandali: Yes, and after my song "Freedom", the Qashoush Symphony came out, my parents' house was destroyed. I felt obligated to "Get lost, Bashar," the simple melody of the Ibrahim Qashoush sang in the streets to take in a symphony. The regime allowed him to cut his throat and throw him into the river. I had not the courage to do what he did, I can only honor his beautiful soul.

STANDARD: Also, your parents were attacked.

Jandali: I 23 June my song "Ana Watani" (I am my own country) in the White House played a couple of days later, the club are in the house my parents turned up in Baba Amro. They have especially my mother severely beaten, shackled in front of my father, and told her: "That is why your son that you have not brought up properly." We can be glad they have not killed them. I've followed everything in motion, get them out of Syria, now they are with me. (Gudrun Harrer, THE STANDARD, 21./22.04.2012)

Malek Jandali (40), living in the United States, Syrian musicians, presents his work in the service of the revolt in Syria. Jandali is from Homs, but born in Germany. He studied in Syria and the U.S., piano, 1988 won the National Young Artists Competition and is now working as a composer. It draws inspiration from the oldest known musical notation of the world, discovered in the ancient city of Ugarit in northern Syria inspire. Jandali is on 28 April in the Vienna Konzerthaus, a charity concert for Syria, "Echoes from Ugarit".