58. Audio Diplomacy

Throughout history, musicians have been representatives of states. Music, as a form of cultural diplomacy, is widely accepted. The voices and speeches of musicians have changed the course of history in many instances. Musical diplomacy differs from other types of cultural diplomacy. In this blog, we shall see how.

 It is not a doubt that popular statements can be used as a statement about the society which it is portraying. Hence, music can carry important messages, whether or not it was intended to. Music can have political dimensions since it is a form of self-expression. During World War II, Latin Jazz music was considered as an important diplomatic tool by the US. Since the onset of the Cold War too, Jazz legends such as Dizzy Gillespie and Loius Armstrong brought American culture to the Soviet Union. This helped in cross-cultural understanding during one of the most volatile periods of history. We have several other examples in the recent past too. Beatles, for example, wrote “All you need is love” in the midst of the Vietnam War to promote a peaceful environment. Celebrated cellist Mstislav Rostropovich played in front of the crumbling Berlin wall in 1989!

 There are other examples of how the power of melody has promoted the sense of goodwill and peace in the world.  “We are the World” by the USA for Africa, recorded in 1985. To raise money for African famine relief. This song was re-released by a new generation of artists to raise money for Haiti.

 Perhaps music is used to touch people directly, in a world of pluralistic values and identities. Thus, all embassies have cultural facet. The artists and musicians of the world have indeed managed to shake up politics.

Source: Beatles.com