No Borders Orchestra
Two decades after the down fall of Yugoslavia that resulted in extremely devastating conflicts, civil war and ethnic cleansing, in short the most horrifying war Europe saw in the last decades of 20th century, newly independent countries are struggling to obtain true reconciliation based on mutual understanding and founded on the aspiration to overcome ethnocentric and nationalistic tendencies.
After a collapse of this proportion - leading to the ultimate ethnic discrimination and downpour number of human rights violations - the region is left to struggle with different, often even completely opposite versions of recent history. Another product of the tragedy one can find in the instable systems that had to face political, social and economical transitions. Cultural segregations in the region has emerged yet again due to the non-existence of stable policies, due to decentralization of economical or political power, and due to different internal consequences each country brought to itself.
ALL major musical festivals and institutions from ALL the former YU republics see in the NO BORDERS ORCHESTRA (NBO) an very important tool towards a better local world.
The NO BORDERS ORCHESTRA, composed of best musicians from the region, opens the door for new performers, new audiences, new innovative venues, new visions and new social aspect of communication.
NBO challenges and offers occasion to broaden horizons, to open new paths of intercultural dialogue, to promote a creative society that sustains and develops quality of life, social well-being and equal opportunities for all.
Besides having artistic importance, NBO has strong educational, social and political significance as well. It is directed to overcome the hard heritage from the past and create new bridges of communication in the region.
Every attempt to obtain ever-lasting peace in this region should be supported, even if only for the fact that one bomb cost more to the international community as to support this project.
NBO has a long-term mission. Every year the orchestra performs a new program at the festivals in the region, as well as other cultural capitals of Europe. Consequently, the NBO is to become the best symphonic orchestra in the region performing internationally.
NBO is a tool and a symbol to help overcome a violent history and to set an example on how people can work together in the region.
NBO will be relevant not only for the region, but for Europe: it brings freshness and new energy.