22 March
Dear friends,
Tonight, we will come together for a special concert to support the Mulanje Mission Hospital. I must admit, I didn't know much about the music style called chanson, which will be performed by the talented Café des Chansons. I’ve learned that this style has roots dating back to medieval times when traveling troubadours went from town to town, bringing communities together to share stories of love, bravery, and the funny moments that made life interesting. It feels especially meaningful that, tonight, we have the chance to immerse ourselves in music, let the stories take us on a journey, and reignite our creativity and joy after a long week, especially given the challenging times we’re living in.
This concert is not just about relaxing and enjoying the music; it also helps honor our important connection with the Mulanje Mission Hospital in Malawi. Every euro raised tonight (and a little more thanks to the generous folks at Wilde Ganzen) will directly support the hospital's important work.
In my excitement for this evening, I explored some books at the manse to learn more about our ties with Mulanje. One book caught my attention. In Politics, Culture and Medicine in Malawi, author and medical doctor John Lwanda talks about how deeply connected music is to care and healing in Malawian communities. He mentions a well-known Alangizi musician, Paul Banda, who once provocatively said, “I laugh when Malawians sing about love. Leave that to the Americans. They are happy; we are not. People here want to listen to issues.” While many Malawian musicians might argue that love is a serious topic, Banda's point highlights the need for music that talks about important social issues. Music should help us connect with themes of justice and healing, reflecting the challenges of our daily lives and not transporting us away from them.
Tonight we have the opportunity to experience music that has the power to help us do both: enjoy the lighter side of life, being transported to another world, whilst knowing that it has a real life-giving impact.
Do you still need tickets for tonight? Hurry! Here is the link to the concert: https://www.erc.amsterdam/calendar/concert-caf-des-chansons-mulanje-mission-benefit-concert. And if you cannot come, donaltions are always appreciated.
Marius Louw