Tibi Puiu
Sudan 365 – A Beat For Peace is a humanitarian project founded by Faithless drummer Jamie Catto, aimed at creating awareness for the ever dire situation in Sudan, where the longest civil war in Africa is underway.
Radiohead’s Phil Selway, Pink Floyd’s Nick Mason and The Police’s Stewart Copeland, among many other talented and multi-cultural diverse drummers, have added their support to the campaign striving to keep the peace in Sudan. As support shown to the campaign, drummers from all over the world appear in a video targeted for mass online consumption, each playing ‘a beat for peace.’ It first starts in Sudan and is then passed around 15 other countries like a baton.
“I wanted to be involved in this project because I think music is such a powerful way of bringing people together,” said Selway of the video, which is available to view on Sudan365.org. “Of course, I’m biased in thinking that what’s underpinning it all is always the beat – always drummers!”
He added: “Hopefully this film will show that together people can make a huge noise and through this film I hope people’s focus will be brought back to what is happening in the Sudan over this very important next year.”
I don’t usually get impressed that easily by celebrity humanitarian efforts, but this time the level of support shown, both in the people involved and in the way it’s been carried out, as well as the cause, of course, have really touched me. Campaigners are asked to upload pictures of themselves joining the beat for peace to Sudan365.org, so dust off your drum kit and pitch in!
