VILNIUS - The world is filled with different kids of people, different religions and cultures. We are all very different, yet there are things that unite us. Things like puppies, sushi and Uma Thurman. Regardless of your origin, everybody loves to go to the theater once in a while, or to the movies. It isn't just the things that we like. It's our dislikes, too. Nobody likes traffic jams or the dreadful Fiat Multipla. Nobody understands how God came up with creating flamingos.
Any kid who is old enough to know what a car is, and smart enough to understand that there are many different types of them, wants to have a Ferrari or a Lamborghini, and it doesn't matter if his parents are Jewish, Christian or members of Greenpeace.
We all admire the same talents. I don't know a single person who'd say that Freddie Mercury was a bad singer, Curt Cobain was an average guitarist or Robert De Niro has little acting ability. Nor do I know a person who'd be glad to find out, at the hotel reception, that there is no reservation under his name, or a person who'd remain calm after he has ordered a Latte in a café, and the waitress doesn't bring it for 25 minutes, when it's cold.
Despite the fact that we are all so very different, we are fascinated by the same things. The pyramids in Egypt gather millions of tourists from all sorts of places all year round. People queue up at the entrance to the Eiffel tower, be it hot or cold outside, night or day, though it is open only until a bit after midnight. Every person who's ever been to London has a photo in front of those big SANYO screens on Piccadilly Circus, or at least one by the London Eye. Places like this give us all something in common.
Death of the pop-music king Michael Jackson was a shock to the whole world, as his music made people come together. Millions of fans turned up to his funeral and stayed together all through the memorial service, irrespective of their nationality or religious views.
The power of music is the only thing that can unite us all no matter what happens. Look at Madonna, for instance, or Metallica. Tickets to their concerts sell out within a couple of days anytime they choose to perform. It is like this with many other performers, too.
Vilnius is known for being open and welcoming to people of different cultures at all times, and this year proves it again. The first Klezmer Music Festival in the Baltic States is about to open next week during the 3rd Congress of Litvak (Lithuanian Jews) in Vilnius. It is one of the few music events geared towards traditional Jewish music. The main goal of this festival is to introduce music that can be played and enjoyed by people of any race or religion. Performers from around Europe will participate in the festival, representing Jewish as well as other religions.
The participants of the event include Frank London, who received a Grammy for his contributions to contemporary Jewish music, the 'Klezmer Trio' from Denmark, 'Berlyno Yiddish' from Germany as well as three projects started specially for this festival. The event program includes Jewish songs, dances and Litvak music on the specially set up outdoor stages. No one shall be left indifferent to Klezmer music, after this festival.
The festival takes place in the Old Town of Vilnius, starting on Aug. 27, and lasts until Aug. 31.
