Musical journalism.
Andrea Voets studied philosophy in Amsterdam and harp at the Hanns Eisler Conservatorium in Berlin. Thinking deeply about things suits her even better than standing on a stage, where stage fright was once her companion, until she created her first documentary concert. She experiences the concert circuit as a rat race where performers rush from production to production, with far too little time to create something new together. With musical journalism she combines original music with her own journalistic investigation. The focus is always on some sort of emotional blind spot in society: a theme that affects many people, but which they cannot quite put their finger on. For each project she goes through a very thorough research trajectory, which can take years. While We Live came about thanks to the help and support of 150 Greeks. There is reading and reflection, music-making, interviewing and filming, after which the findings ultimately converge in a documentary concert that smoothly moves back and forth between the projection screen, musicians in Greece and the set of international live musicians.[caption id="attachment_30074" align="alignleft" width="196"]
© Claudia Hansen[/caption]
Meanwhile Andrea Voets teaches her brainchild musical journalism and delights when the unpatented genre finds followers. She firmly believes in journalism that uses music as an ally. That is not just filler between two interviews, according to this journalist music works directly on the subconscious of the listener and viewer. After Xenitia (2016) about migration and Wings and Roots (2018) about third culture generations, While We Live (2021) is the third production by Resonate Productions and Andrea Voets.
Minister of Loneliness.
The disturbing figures of depression and suicide in Europe point, according to Andrea Voets, to a great hidden loneliness in our society. We talk a lot about 'connection' but how? By becoming everyone's friend? By fighting loneliness as if it were a lifestyle matter? Loneliness is a dark theme that many people like to avoid, as if it's just something that comes with life. Every publication on the theme of loneliness that she could get her hands on she has read, and since she was 16 Voets has known that she must do something with this theme. The answer will not come from the government, like Margaret Thatcher's attempt to establish a Ministry of Loneliness (after the murder of parliamentarian Jo Cox). However well-intentioned, a municipal buddy who comes for coffee once a week will not solve your loneliness. How is it that I always feel more at home and welcome in Greece than in Belgium or the Netherlands? In search of keys to escape loneliness, Andrea Voets traveled to three Greek locations: the metropolis Athens, the mountains of Epirus in the north and the inconspicuous island of Lipsi, near the Turkish coast. She films with a (much too small) budget from the theater world. Time and attention, cleverness and authenticity are her most important production resources. According to her, her documentary fits in this way within the SILENCE element of the Lunalia festival 2022.
A social road trip.
Greece is by no means an easy country to live in. The toxic traces of the Greek civil war (1945-1949) and of the colonels' regime (1967–1974) have not been completely erased. Since the economic crisis of 2010 people work themselves to the bone just to stay afloat. Nothing is taken for granted, life is unpredictable and chaotic. In this climate Andrea Voets spends countless hours with old and new friends, café owners, musicians … to analyze Greek social logic together with them. Greeks are by nature a political people with a strong debate culture. However dire their situation, they take a stand and there is plenty of disagreement, says Andrea Voets. In all meaningful conversations she comes across three key concepts.
Φιλότιμο. Filotimo appears as early as Pindar, Plato and Aristotle. The words filos (friend of) and timè (honor) form an ancient, indefinable concept that bundles virtuous qualities such as honor, dignity, responsibility. There is always unconditionalness, you do something for another because it is simply 'right' and because you want to, not because the law prescribes it or to get something in return. In 2021 Greek authorities deployed sound cannons to deter migrants, while some citizens dove into the water to rescue the drowning. You could say that these latter acted from filotimo. The pre-Socratic philosopher Thales of Miletus (ca. 624 BC - 545 BC) already said that filotimo for a Greek is like breathing, a person simply cannot live without it. Without it you might as well be dead.
Φιλοξενία. Filoxenia, literally love for the stranger, the unknown, is translated as hospitality, but has little to do with the ouzo that the restaurant offers you for free. At the foundation of hospitality lies a hidden fear, explains philosopher and musician Iannis. It is human nature to feel uncomfortable with the unknown, the stranger, the other culture. Why this plays a lesser role with a Ukrainian than with a Syrian or an Afghan is an interesting question to ask ourselves today. In essence, filoxenia presupposes that we give a stranger what a human desperately needs and what we ourselves would want to receive if we were in need, not only to help the other, but also to allay our fear. Asking him or her questions is another way to become less afraid.
Γλέντι. A glendi is not the same as 'let's throw a party' where everything is neatly planned and prepared. At a glendi you don't need an invitation, it arises almost spontaneously from a kind of intuitive joy of life. Like we know in Irish pubs, musicians can get a glendi going. Andrea Voets finds it significant that according to the Greek language you don't sing a song, you say a song. As if music is a constant, natural form of expression that is accessible to everyone. People feel less inhibited, but sing what they have to say.
Half of the interviewed conversation partners in While We Live are musicians, people who are rarely addressed for their social or political convictions. Which is a shame. Becoming a musician is choosing not to become a doctor, accountant or banker. Choosing a financially uncertain existence, because you want to sail by your own compass. You cannotnot do it. Devoting your life to music is a political act, says Andrea Voets.
The music in While We Live consists of improvisation, arrangements and composed pieces by Andrea Voets (harp), Sarah Jeffery (recorders) and Evi Filippou (percussion).
Andrea Voets lives in Amsterdam, has Dutch parents but grew up in Brugge. Was an oddity on the playground because she never assimilated the 'Flemish' accent. Was constantly told by her music teachers that she is not musical. Speaks six languages fluently, including modern Greek and Farsi. Is artistic director of Resonate Productions. Has been working since 2018 from debate center De Balie in Amsterdam. Invented the genre musical journalism. Received a Fastforward grant in 2022 from the Dutch government for this to research 'how to feel safe'. Will come to Mechelen more often in the future to work there on commission of the festival Lunalia. NRC included the documentary-concert While We Live in the list of best classical music 2020, the film version won various international awards.
www.resonate-productions.com ||
Festival van Vlaanderen Mechelen LUNALIA
De Rest is Stilte, in het kader van Zinderende Stilte
from 23 April to 8 May in Mechelen
While We Live - a compass to connection.
2 May 2022 Kunstencentrum nona, Gouden Zaal at 20:15.
