SYMPHONY OF INCLUSION. 13th, JUNE’26

Programm

  • Opening and presentation of the ART4(U) project – an empowering journey and participation of the children during implementation. 
  • Symbolic handover of the project to the Polish partner through the reading of a letter, marking the continuation of the project and passing the baton to Poland, the next leading country in the TRIO.
  • Performance by the El Sistema Greece Choirs / Pieces: Earworm, Beautiful Creatures, Kothbiro & Child in Time, Space Oddity, Belisa, Ti Thelo
  • Performance by the Kypseli Orchestra / Pieces: Pomp, Circumstance
  • Performance by the ESG Academy / Pieces: Le roi s’amuse – 1st Movement, Unfinished Symphony – 1st Movement, Por una Cabeza
  • Performance by the El Sistema Greece Youth Orchestra (ESGYO) / Pieces: Te Deum, Figaro Medley, Romeo and Juliet, Turkish March, Spoitoressa
  • Final Collective Performance – All Ensembles / Pieces: Milo Mou Kokkino, Bonse Aba
  • Audience participation: lyrics of Un Poquito Cantas and joined the Youth Choir in singing while accompanied by the orchestra.

The event opened with a welcome to the audience and a brief introduction to the ART4(U) project and the concept of artivism, highlighting the role of the arts in promoting social change, inclusion and democratic values. This was followed by the symbolic handover of the project to the Polish partner, Multigenerational, through the reading of a letter, marking the continuation of the project’s journey.

Throughout the event, the young participants took on the role of presenters, introducing the ensembles and sharing their own experiences of participating in the project. Rather than trying to convince the audience of a particular message, they proudly shared what they had created together, reflecting on the friendships, collaboration and sense of belonging they had developed through music. Their testimonies offered an authentic insight into how collective artistic experiences can foster inclusion and human connection.

The programme continued with performances by the choirs, the Kypseli Orchestra, the El Sistema Greece Academy and the El Sistema Greece Youth Orchestra. The event concluded with a collective performance involving all ensembles, followed by an interactive moment during which the audience learned the lyrics of the final song and joined the Youth Choir in singing alongside the orchestra, experiencing first-hand the values of collaboration, participation and shared artistic expression.
Selected highlights from the concert performance can be watched here.

ACHIEVED RESULTS
The showcasing event successfully brought together young musicians from all El Sistema Greece programme locations in Athens and Corinth, including participants from refugee and asylum seeker facilities, demonstrating the power of music to build inclusive communities across diverse backgrounds. Beyond delivering a high-quality artistic performance, the event enabled young people to communicate the values of artivism through their own voices, celebrating collaboration, coexistence and the richness of diversity. By sharing their experiences, they highlighted how collective artistic participation can strengthen confidence, belonging and active citizenship. The event also raised awareness among parents, local communities and other attendees about the ART4(U) project, the importance of empowering young people to express their voices, and the role of the arts as a catalyst for social change across Europe.

A particularly memorable moment was the choir’s performance of “All Together, Enemies and Friends”. Performed by young musicians from different cultural backgrounds, the song conveyed a strong message of coexistence, mutual respect and shared humanity. The emotional response from families, audience members and CSO representatives demonstrated how artistic expression can communicate values of human rights and inclusion in a way that resonates beyond words.

Through the audience’s active participation in the final performance, the project’s message of inclusion and shared responsibility became a lived experience rather than simply a message conveyed from the stage.

Beyond the experience they shared on stage and throughout the preparation process, all participating young musicians also received a welcome kit containing a notebook, tote bag, T-shirt and pen, offering them a tangible keepsake of this unique and memorable day

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