Later this month, US audiences will be treated to the unique music and
poetry group Poetz4Peace as it makes its US debut in California. The
group includes core members Haji Mike and Zeki Ali, Cypriots from
opposite sides of the line that has divided the island for 29 years.
Their messages of peace and reunification are supported by music
influenced by hip-hop, ambient, funk, reggae, dancehall, and dub. The US
tour includes a reception with Cypriot Consul Nicolaos Theophanous and
an appearance at the prestigious Sierra Nevada World Music Festival as
well as other performances.
Songs on the CD released last year, “A Pair of Olive Leaves,” make a
plea for peace to prevail not only in Cyprus, but throughout the world.
The disc was recorded largely over the Internet by Poetz on opposite
sides of the Atlantic. Zeki Ali described the goals of the project, “Our
trials will be the greatest gifts to our children and we lovingly take
our part. Peace is not just an alternative to war; it is a way of life.
A universal ‘religion’. We are simple people who are proud to be
simple.” Holding down the US side of the cyber-collaboration is San
Francisco’s Steffen Franz, label head of PSM Recordings. He further
elaborated on the Poetz’ mission “to make this music heard throughout
the world and to enjoy the knowledge that we are doing something that is
changing the world around us for the better.”
Another unique aspect of Poetz4Peace is the manner in which it was funded. The Bi-communal Development Programme (BDP) supported not only the recording and release of the CD but also educational workshops aimed at youth. The BDP, based in Cyprus, is supported by the United Nations Development Programme, United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and United States Agency for International Development. A second CD “A Cyprus Thing” OTM002 is due for release later on this summer, and features 29 songs from
amazing artists from both sides of the “Greenline”. Olive Tree Music LTD (Cyprus) and PSM Recordings (US) provide label support for Poetz4Peace.