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HANDS - L'inno alla pace e alla verità per Giulio Regeni
Un inno alla pace per Giulio Regeni e per tutte le persone vittime di tortura. L’iniziativa, che sarà presentata ufficialmente il 25 gennaio nel terzo anniversario della scomparsa del ricercatore italiano, porta la firma del cantautore Marcello Mereu, in arte March., e del coro del Collegio del Mondo Unito dell’Adriatico (UWCAD).
UWCAD è la sede italiana dei Collegi del Mondo Unito, istituzione internazionale sui cui banchi si sono formati sia Regeni che il cantautore (Regeni ha frequentato per due anni il college statunitense UWC-USA, mentre March. ha frequentato la sede italiana UWCAD).
Hands - questo il titolo della canzone dedicata a Giulio Regeni e a tutte le persone vittime di tortura- è stata scritta e prodotta da March. insieme ai musicisti Alessandro Cirone e Mika Somppi, mentre il coro è diretto dal maestro Stefano Sacher.
Nel videoclip che accompagna il brano, diretto da Chiara Messineo e ambientato a Londra (guarda qui il video: https://youtu.be/S2RYG9GwQxI), compaiono alcuni degli studenti che frequentano attualmente la sede americana del college.
“Il 25 gennaio - spiegano i protagonisti dell’iniziativa - è una data che non dovremmo mai dimenticare. E’ il giorno in cui la scomparsa di Giulio ha colpito la famiglia e gli amici più stretti, i compagni di collegio e di università, i colleghi e tutti noi, italiani e non, che anche solo per poco abbiamo sfiorato la sua vita e ne abbiamo condiviso i valori”.
Il progetto è supportato attivamente da Pan Intercultural Arts.
Pan Intercultural Arts è un’organizzazione no-profit che da trent’anni lavora per favorire lo sviluppo di una società aperta e inclusiva attraverso la creatività e la valorizzazione della ricchezza culturale. Pan lavora con persone che spesso vivono ai margini della società come richiedenti asilo, giovani donne sfuggite al traffico della prostituzione, alla tortura; ragazzi cresciuti in realtà dove la violenza sembra l’unica possibile opzione, e coloro che vivono in zone colpite da disastri naturali e conflitti sociali. Nonostante i traumi sofferti, i ragazzi di Pan scoprono, grazie al teatro e alla musica, un modo nuovo di esprimersi, trovano fiducia in sé stessi, ricominciano a credere nel proprio futuro e nelle proprio idee e imparano a condividerle.
«Con questa canzone – conclude il cantautore March. – vogliamo dare il nostro contributo affinché non ci si dimentichi di Giulio. Il brano è dedicato anche a tutti coloro che hanno subìto torture e che non si arrendono nella ricerca della giustizia, continuando a lottare per i valori in cui credono. Un modo per far si che questo avvenga è condividere il brano e diffondere il nostro messaggio.»
L’intero progetto è a scopo benefico e la canzone è scaricabile gratuitamente qui sotto
Hands (feat. The UWCers)
(dedicated to Giulio Regeni and to all torture victims)
Put your hands in our hands while we still can
Don’t trivialise our outlook,
though we don’t feel equipped,
All we seek is that grain of truth,
which you locked in your books,
hid from a mother’s look,
about that life you so brutally took
Why the torture?
Why all the lies?
We’re all human, but you
watched the hands of time,
turning to fists, when instead you could:
Put your hands in our hands while we still can
Roll your sleeves up, work hard
and don’t pretend
That this hatred will go if we count to ten
It takes so much love for it to end
Got our hands in your hands
Together we can
Bring those enemies close, turn them to friends
Because war breeds war; d’you understand?
We just need the truth and won’t relent
We’ve got our fates intertwined;
Like it or not,
We are specimens of humankind
Might as well learn the skill
Join our purpose until
you’re no longer poised for the kill
Clenching your hands,
Pointing fingers,
There’s no “us and them”.
Free up your mind,
Open your eyes
And put your hands in our hands while we still can
Roll your sleeves up, work hard
And don’t pretend
That this hatred will go if we count to ten
It takes so much love for it to end
Got our hands in your hands
Together we can
Bring those enemies close, turn them to friends
Because war breeds war; d’you understand?
We just need the truth and won’t relent
Clenching your hands,
Pointing fingers,
There’s no “us and them”.
Free up your mind,
Open your eyes
And put your hands in our hands while we still can
Roll your sleeves up, work hard
And don’t pretend
This hatred won’t go if we count to ten
It takes so much love for it to end
Got our hands in your hands
Together we can
Bring those enemies close, turn them to friends
Because war breeds war; d’you understand?
We just need the truth and won’t relent
Put your hands in our hands while we still can
Put your hands in our hands while we still can
Hands - A choir dedicated to Giulio Regeni and all victims of torture
January 25th is a date we must never forget. This was the day that Giulio Regeni disappeared.
His abduction and subsequent murder in 2016 deeply affected many people - his family and close friends; his former classmates at the United World College; and, students and tutors with whom he was studying at University … more people than we will ever know about were left shocked when they heard the awful news.
So many people crossed paths with him. Many were Italian. Many were not. But all of them were touched by the way he chose to live his life and the values he held. Values of union and coexistence.
And it is precisely those values on which the United World Colleges (UWC) are founded. These are international schools with branches all over the world that focus on education as a force to unite peoples, nations and cultures, and pursuing peace, international understanding and a sustainable future. Giulio studied for two years at the UWC-USA.
‘Hands’ is a peace anthem written by March. (real name Marcello Mereu), who is also a former student of the United World Colleges. The song was written in collaboration with musicians Mika Somppi and Alessandro Cirone who co-wrote the music and produced it. It is sung by the United World College students’ choir, and directed by Stefano Sacher.
The song is accompanied by a video, shot in London, directed by Chiara Messineo.
The video is available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/S2RYG9GwQxI and features March., a number of students from the United World Colleges and a number of people working for PAN.
Pan is an intercultural arts organisation dedicated to the exploration of cultural diversity through the arts and how such work can inspire and implement social change.
Pan works with people who are often marginalised and at risk of social exclusion such as women who have survived trafficking into the UK, victims of torture and trauma-affected young refugees, unaccompanied minor asylum seekers, young people living close to crime and violence, and those affected by natural disasters, conflict and social prejudice.
"With this song,” says March., “we want to ensure that we do not forget Giulio … and all the women and men who suffer, or have suffered, torture and who have not yet found justice … but who do not give up, and continue to fight peacefully for the values in which they believe. One way to make this happen is to share the song and spread our message. "
‘Hands’ is included in Safe & Unsound, the debut album by March., available on all digital platforms, and to download for free on www.cellolabel.com.
