Published: 30 August, 2007, 11:00
Edited: 30 August, 2007, 11:00
What do the United Nations and a well-known Russian musician have in common? According to the Russian rock legend Boris Grebenshchikov, it’s their mutual goal that brings them together. Last night he staged a one-and-a-half hour concert at the UN headquar
The United Nations headquarters in New York has seen a lot over the years. Emperors, presidents, ambassadors and diplomats from around the world have filled its halls and auditoriums to discuss the burning issues of modern times.
If this building’s walls had ears, it’s hard to imagine what kind of conversations it would have heard.
This time, however, they had a chance to eavesdrop on something totally different – a one-and-a-half-hour concert by renowned Russian musician and poet Boris Grebenshchikov.
Boris Grebenshchikov is considered to be one of the founding fathers of Russian rock. Performing since 1973, Grebenshchikov and his band “Aquarium” have won three generations of fans. Now he has brought his music to the United Nations with the aim of bringing together different cultures and views.
Grebenshchikov played his songs accompanied by musicians from various parts of the world – such as a member of the philharmonic orchestra of Puerto Rico on the piano, or the soloist from the Viennese symphony orchestra on cello.
As the musician said himself, times may change but people stay the same. So he always feels comfortable performing for them.
“Sometimes I don’t understand politics, or sometimes when I understand, I don’t want to believe it. But people stay the same. I've seen three generations grow up, and their thoughts and problems are still the same, so I feel absolutely comfortable,” Boris Grebenshchikov says.
Hundreds of the UN’s staff members, diplomats and Russians living in New York came to see the performance.
And just for a change – but just briefly - the headquarters of the world’s debating chamber was filled with peace and harmony.