Jewish and Palestinian Rock Bands Promote Peace through a Concert Tour

【Unlocking Word Meanings】

　今日の単語・フレーズ

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article. 

1. gig [gig] (n.) – a job, usually of short duration, especially in performing jazz or rock music

Example: The band planned to reschedule the gig from tonight to tomorrow.

2. heavy metal [HEV-ee MET-l] (n.) – a type of rock music with a loud, strong beat

Example: The man was awakened by the heavy metal song playing in the neighbor’s garage.

3. consist [kuh n-SIST] (v.) – to be composed, formed or made up of

Example: The band consists of five members.

4. blend [blend] (v.) – to mix things harmoniously and thoroughly

Example: The costumes, music, and lighting on stage all blend together beautifully.

5. spark [spahrk] (v.) – to make something happen

Example: The rock band’s racist speech sparked controversy among the public.

【Article】

　ニュース記事

Read the text below.

A Jewish rock band and a Palestinian one have joined together for an 18-day gig in six different European countries to encourage peace between Israel and Palestine. The two bands, Khalas and Orphaned Land, share a love for metal music. Kobi Farhi of Orphaned Land and Abed Hathout of Khalas met each other a decade ago at a radio station. Friendship sparked soon after due to their mutual love for metal music. Last July, the two bands launched their European tour and explained their mission in Tel Aviv, Israel. Both Farhi and Hathout want to promote coexistence and peace between Israel and Palestine through metal music. Farhi mentioned that the tour cannot change the world, but he and his co-performers can at least show everyone that coexisting peacefully is possible. The bands will live together and share a single tour bus for their tour. The two bands call their music Oriental Metal, which blends classic heavy metal and Arabic rhythms. They also use other instruments like violin and flute, making their music a lot more interesting and diverse. Hathout, Khalas' guitarist and band manager, added that if the Khalas and Orphaned Land members can coexist on a bus, then doing it in the two conflicted countries may not be a problem. Similar to Khalas’ and Orphaned Land’s case, conductor Daniel Barenboim and Edward Said also founded The West-Eastern Divan Orchestra consisting of Israeli and Arab musicians in 1999.  Despite numerous criticisms, they kept performing all over the world to encourage people to listen to each other and to break down barriers through music.

【Viewpoint Discussion】

　ディスカッションテーマ

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.  

Discussion A

·         Why do you think the two bands collaborated for a concert tour for a cause?

·         Is concert a good way to promote peace? Please explain your answer.

Discussion B

·         As an ordinary citizen, how will you promote peace in your own way?

·         What can the government do to promote peace? Please explain your answer.

この記事が気に入りましたか？