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The Mostar Co-operative |
The Art of Harmony
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HE MOSTAR CO-OPERATIVE is an arts organisation based in Oxford, England, that specialises in producing operas for young people that promote reconciliation. We are collaborative partners with Canadian opera company, KidsOp, based in Alberta. Our mission follows on from a long tradition of using the arts as a restorative tonic. Whether two people fight, or two countries go to war, the same complex negative feelings can be aroused. What is more, bad blood can last for thousands of years. We feel that difficult subjects can be raised and tackled without the need for in-depth conversation that might otherwise cause distress. The very act of singing about conflict has the amazing effect of a lasting and positive experience for young and old alike, making it possible to break down cultural barriers. When we visit a school or work with groups of children, we do not lecture or talk in any great length about war and suffering, however, children are challenged to form their own opinions as they learn their parts in the productions. We find that their curiosity is ignited and they start to formulate their own questions – Why do wars happen? What does it feel like to be at war? Furthermore, they begin to come up with their own answers, enabling them to empathise with others from different cultures or different countries by the act of stepping into their shoes.
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he aims of The Mostar Co-operative are three-fold:
1.
To create exciting and challenging arts experiences for young people.
2.
To introduce the themes of conflict in non-intrusive ways through arts
productions.
3.
To promote tolerance through the arts.
CONTACT DETAILS: www.yinyin.org.uk
EMAIL: mec@yinyin.org.uk