A concert in memory of Daniel Pearl
Published on Friday, October 23, 2009
Updated on Wednesday, October 28, 2009
On Wednesday, October 21, 2009, Venezuelan journalists, diplomatic officers, and musicians gathered at the headquarters of the Venezuelan newspaper El Nacional to play in a tribute concert for journalist and musician Daniel Pearl (October 10, 1963 - February 1, 2002).
Terrorists kidnapped and killed Wall Street Journal correspondent Daniel Pearl in Pakistan in 2002. A writer and musician, Pearl strongly believed in inter-cultural dialogue, tolerance and freedom of the press. To honor his memory and the values he lived by, his family and friends create the Daniel Pearl Foundation and, in October 2002, held the first Daniel Pearl World Music Days. Musicians in more than 85 countries have participated, dedicating their works or performances to the memory of Pearl and the ideals in which he believed.
This year, Venezuela joined in the celebration for the first time. The foundation, the United States Embassy, El Nacional, and the Colegio Nacional de Periodistas worked together to make the event a reality. Famed jazz musician Pablo Gil, journalist William Echeverria, artist Roberto Weil and many others performed as part of the inaugural Daniel Pearl Music Days concert in Venezuela.
As John Connerley, the Embassy’s Public Affairs Counselor, and one of the principal organizers of the event commented: "Daniel Pearl understood that music can build bridges between people. It’s that love for music and need for dialogue that we celebrate tonight.” Pearl’s parents, who wrote a special letter in honor of the event, thanked the people of Venezuela for joining in World Music Days and said, “Su música resonará hoy como un estridente desafío a las fuerzas del odio que segaron la vida de nuestro hijo y fortalecerá nuestra inquebrantable convicción de que, a fin de cuentas, la música triunfará y la humanidad prevalecerá."
Daniel Pearl's family members sent a letter, thanking the gesture:
Statement from Daniel Pearl parents, Judea and Ruth Pearl
To be read in 2009 Daniel Pearl World Music Days concert in Caracas, Venezuela on October 21, 2009
Thank you for being part of the 8th Annual Daniel Pearl World Music Days and for dedicating your concert in honor of our son, Daniel Pearl.
We would have loved to be with you in person tonight, but circumstances dictate that we send you this blessing from a distance, although we are with you in spirit.
Our deepest appreciation goes to the organizers and the musicians who helped put this evening together and, in particular to El Nacional for enlisting John Alan Connerley, Pablo Gil and others to this majestic event, and to U.S. Embassy in Caracas, Venezuela for hosting the Daniel Pearl World Music Days in your country this year.
Pablo Casals once said: "Music must serve a purpose; it must be part of something larger than itself, a part of humanity."
The music that will soon emerge from your stage will serve a purpose -- for it will blend with the sounds of hundreds, perhaps thousands of other concerts, from Singapore to New York, Lahore to Los Angeles, which will be ringing the earth this month for sanity and humanity.
By dedicating your concert to Danny, you elevate your music from the acoustics of one concert hall onto the balcony of the 21st century and transform it into a potent statement of purpose, unity and empowerment.
Your music will resonate today in sharp defiance of the forces of hatred that took our son’s life, and will reinforce our unshaken conviction that, at the end of the day, music will triumph and humanity will prevail.
United, we will make a difference.
Ruth and Judea Pearl, Co-Founders
Daniel Pearl Foundation
Los Angeles, California
 Venezuelan saxophonist Pablo Gil |
 Roberto Weil, Venezuelan cartoonist for newspaper Tal Cual |