Last Saturday, the two parishes of Burgdorf and Kirchberg jointly invited people to a film and concert with Mat Callahan, musician, music producer and author, and the singer Yvonne Moore. With the multimedia project “Songs of Slavery and Emancipation”, which includes a book, CDs and film (English film with German subtitles), the two artists are devoting themselves to old and rediscovered songs composed by enslaved people and songs from the abolitionist movement, the movement for the abolition of slavery. The impressive film and book document the uprisings and rebellion of the slaves and the abolitionists and cover the time frame from the 16th century to the present day. The subsequent discussion with those present pointed out the injustices that still persist in today’s society and that the history of slavery has not been forgotten.
Mat Callahan and Yvonne Moore are not alone on tour. They are accompanied by Kathy Bullock, music professor and music historian, accompanied by four members of the Jubalo Choir from Kentucky, USA. They captivated the audience with a fantastic and certainly unforgettable concert. Their strong and clear voices filled the hall. The songs from this period not only express sadness and outrage over slavery, but also resistance to racism and the oppression of people in the United States. The songs also call for revolution.
The guests made their way home with a book and/or CD and after making a donation to the collection, part of which will go to the “Cooperation Jackson in Mississippi USA”. Anyone who was not at this concert definitely missed something.
Rosemarie Stalder
