“I was invited to participate in a series of ‘Building blocks to Peace’ workshops, with Israelis and Palestinians, to help solve communal problems like sewage, water, power and security. It was exciting, an opportunity to make a small contribution to peace. Five years later we were back in Jerusalem, the city of peace! It was 2017. But as happened many times progress was being blocked and it was becoming clear that another brilliant initiative was doomed to failure because of political strangulation. The powers kept talking the talk, while the ordinary people suffered and nothing changed….. That evening we were privileged to meet with a gathering of young Israeli and Palestinian musicians. 5 minutes together and everything changed….The music took over, smiles and laughter replaced anxiety and fear. It was a lightbulb moment. it really struck home, music does have a power to cross boundaries, build bridges and convey the spirit of peace through its own language. I realized that all these young people and talented artists who represent the majority just needed a voice to help build a better life for themselves and their families and through music talk across societies divides. At that moment THE BRIDGE was born.”

Stephen Byrne, Founder, THE BRIDGE