Through the power of song, bridges are built on the island between children from both sides of the divide
Twenty five children from across the divide and aged between 5 and 12 currently meet to sing in the buffer zone in Nicosia once a week. Known as Songbird, the Intercommunal Children’s Choir has been striving to promote sustainable peace and peaceful coexistence through singing songs from Cyprus and beyond in different languages spoken on the island for the last eight years.
“The aim is to foster understanding and friendship, and unity among children,” reveals programme consultant Maria Kasinou. “Music is a way to discover, learn and understand the ‘other,’” adds coordinator of the programme Melis Güvensoy Okalper.
As a cultural expression that includes segments of one’s cultural identity, songs are at the heart of the choir’s point of convergence. “The language of a song, the lyrics and their meaning and the distinct melodic and harmonic elements of it allow participants to see the other community’s culture and discover the common (or not) elements of their own self and cultural identity,” adds Okalper.
The choir meets every Wednesdays for an hour and 15 minutes at the Home for Cooperation, a location that ensures children from all communities can participate freely, regardless of their background as it’s accessible to children from both sides of the divide. Rehearsals are structured in two parts: one includes games and interactive activities designed to help children build trust, develop teamwork and feel comfortable in the multi-community environment. “Instructions are given in both Greek and Turkish, allowing all children to fully understand and even learn simple words and phrases in both languages,” explains Kasinou.
The second part of the rehearsal focuses on vocal warm-ups, song learning and musical development. “The children practice singing in both Greek and Turkish, as well as English and even German, improving their melodic and rhythmic accuracy. Occasionally, guest facilitators, musicians and conductors are invited to introduce new techniques and enrich the children’s musical experience,” says Kasinou.
Aside from the weekly rehearsals held in co-ordination with the programme’s conductors İmge Arabi and Konstantina Chrysostomou, the choir takes part in various performances that promote peace and cultural exchange. “Two of the most important events are the Spring Concert at the end of the year, which showcases the children’s progress and musical achievements, and the Sing-Along event with their families, where kids and families come together to celebrate music and community,” adds Kasinou.
Director of multi communal NGO which runs the programme, Association for Historical Dialogue and Research (AHDR) Loizos Loukaides says the organization has “always believed in the power of bringing children together around issues of peace education, human rights, antiracism and exposing the people of Cyprus to the language of other communities residing on the island. To us, this is of paramount importance for the cultivation of a culture of peace and non-violence. Arts and culture can be employed to equip children with the competencies to live peacefully in a multicultural society like Cyprus and respond to the needs of a globalised era.”
Now in its eighth year, “it’s essential to highlight that the growth and success of the choir is a result of incredible teamwork… Our conductors facilitate rehearsals in both Greek and Turkish, breaking down language barriers and fostering unity among the children,” says Okalper. “The choir has matured significantly in terms of experience, community growth and impact. Through consistent rehearsals and performances, the choir has developed a higher level of musical and artistic ability, refining its repertoire and methodology. While in terms of community, the choir has expanded, bringing together more children from diverse backgrounds and fostering stronger bonds of friendship and mutual understanding,” adds Kasinou.
And none of this would be possible without the children of course, as well as the support of their parents. “At first, some children can be a bit shy, but most are curious and excited to listen, speak, and sing in all the official languages of Cyprus. Many are surprised but quickly enjoy learning new words in Greek and Turkish. As they sing and interact, they feel a sense of achievement and connection with the other children. The process is fun, and over time, any initial hesitation fades as they build trust and confidence, making friendships along the way,” says Kasinou. “Singing in each other’s language has so many great benefits! It brings kids closer together by helping them appreciate each other’s culture. It also makes everyone feel included since they get to hear and sing in their own language, creating a welcoming space for all. At the same time, it naturally helps with language learning – kids pick up new words and phrases without even realising it.
“Music has a special way of breaking down barriers, allowing children from different backgrounds to bond and build friendships. There’s also an emotional connection that comes with singing in another language – it helps kids understand and feel the meaning behind the words. Plus, it boosts their musical skills, improving their rhythm, memory and pronunciation,” she adds. To this end, parents play a vital role in the programme, afterall they are the ones who enable each child to have these experiences.
“Working with the choir has been an incredibly rewarding experience. As facilitators, it’s inspiring to see the children grow – both musically and personally – while building strong connections with one another. One highlight for me is watching the shyest kids slowly come out of their shells, gaining confidence as they learn to sing in both Greek and Turkish. It’s amazing to see how music can bridge language and cultural gaps in such a short time,” says Kasinou. “This experience has been transformational for me. The most fulfilling part of coordinating this programme is witnessing the children embark on their own journey of discovery and learning within a collective environment,” adds Okalper.
Since this is a non-auditioned choir, the complexity is kept in check to ensure every child can participate, explains Kasinou. “The lyrics and meaning of the songs are key. As a choir promoting peace and coexistence, it’s important that the songs reflect these values. Our repertoire includes traditional songs from all communities on the island, songs that promote peace, and international peace songs. For example, we sing common traditional songs in both Greek and Turkish, alternating verses in each language, like Psinri Vasilitzia mou/Feslikan. We also include children’s songs, rhymes, and rounds, as well as songs that focus on peace. Songs about Cyprus are also part of the mix. International songs are usually kept in their original language. Ultimately, the goal is for the songs to connect the children to each other and the culture of peace,” she adds.
As far as teaching songs is concerned, it involves both musical and cultural approaches to ensure that the children learn melodies and rhythms as well as understand the deeper meaning behind the songs. “Musically, we start with vocal warm-ups to help the children develop their voices, focusing on pitch, rhythm and tone. Then, we break the songs into smaller sections, teaching the lyrics and melody step by step, ensuring they’re accessible for children of all musical abilities. For songs in both Greek and Turkish, we alternate verses to help them learn in both languages and appreciate the rhythms and melodies unique to each. The songs are repeated and practiced until the children are comfortable. Culturally, we emphasise the meaning behind each song,” explains Kasinou.
As such, it’s very plausible that the children’s choir has a ripple effect on the Cypriot society as a whole. “Learning the music of the other community/communities of the island serves another purpose. It highlights the common cultural elements so everyone to realises their common past and can imagine their common future. This is the case for the folk music of the island where we can find common elements in music, meaning of the lyrics and even the same words that are common in the songs. When these kids grow up, they will remember the positive experiences and that by understanding and seeing what has been termed ‘the other, we can build a future with respect, dialogue and understanding,” says Okalper.
“By bringing children from different backgrounds together to sing and work together, the choir fosters a sense of connection and shared purpose that extends beyond the rehearsal room. This sense of unity and collaboration gradually spreads to families, schools and the broader community,” adds Kasinou. “One example is the choir’s Spring Concert at the end of each year. It’s not just a performance; it’s an opportunity for the community to come together, regardless of ethnic background, and experience the harmony created by the children. The concert highlights the power of music in bridging divides, with audience members from various communities united in celebration of peace and cultural exchange. It serves as a reminder that even in a divided society, there are opportunities for connection and collective growth.
“The name Songbird was chosen because it represents the idea of joyful, harmonious singing. Just as songbirds sing in different environments and can communicate their presence through their songs, the choir’s goal is to unite children from different backgrounds through the universal language of music. It also reflects the innocence and purity of childhood, symbolising how the children’s voices can carry a powerful message of peace and unity. Songbird captures the choir’s mission to spread a message of harmony, coexistence, and cultural appreciation, much as a songbird’s melodies bring beauty and connection to the world,” concludes Kasinou.
The Songbird programme has been running since 2017 in collaboration with Home for Cooperation (H4C), Cyprus Turkish Teachers’ Trade Union (KTÖS) and Cyprus Greek Teachers’ Organisation (POED) and is funded by the Federal Foreign Office of the Republic of Germany. For more information about the choir can visit AHDR’s social media channels. Participation in the choir is voluntary and requires parental consent. The choir is open to children (ages 5-12) from all communities in Cyprus, with no audition process required and no participation fees.
Lena Melanidou, one of the founders of the Choir and the Choir’s first Greek Cypriot conductor passed away in 2021. Her legacy is carried on by the people who continue this project.
