In 2003, I created a dance to her song Middle East. Tensions in the
region continued to be tenuous. Haza’s song, on her 1989 “Desert
Wind” album, echoed the situation as if it were prophetic. She described
the song:
“The Jewish nation returned to its homeland after thousands of years of
wandering. It endured an inquisition, a Holocaust, and endless struggles. The
Palestinian Arabs desire a homeland in the same land as the Jews.
The local conflict is not really local. It involves the whole world. Harsh words like terrorism and fanaticism have become routine. Tragically, the Jews and Arabs, through many conflicts, complications and victims, have become locked into this situation. Like two parallel lines that never meet and our green fields are filled with tears and mourning.
We could live differently, creating more positive things, taking advantage
of the possibilities that G-d has afforded us. We could turn the Middle East
into heaven, for us all. We are the key. When can we meet?”
She recorded Fatamorgana and Middle East in English. She felt this was extremely
important. She told me:
“It’s very important for people to understand the message I sing.
When we write songs, the English comes very naturally for us, because I want
to say something and I want people to hear it.”
My dance Middle East premiered at Ramah Rikkudiah, 2003.
Dances and music mentioned in "Meeting Ofra Haza" may be found at the following link
|
Read Part 1 • Read Part 2 • Read Part 3