A group of Colombian musicians will deliver workshops to St Mary’s PS pupils in Draperstown next week (Monday, 24 February) around sustainability, community and the environment.
With support from British Council Northern Ireland and Future Island Island, they have already held workshops on Rathlin Island and at W5 Belfast as part of this year’s Northern Ireland Science festival.
Known as the Mr. Klaje Collective, the musicians hail from the city of Cali, Colombia and are comprised of a rapper, a percussionist, and a guitarist. They use music and art as powerful tools for social transformation, working extensively with ex-combatants and former gang members. Working as part of Innovacer, a Colombian social enterprise, their mission is to reduce violence in post-conflict areas by engaging young people in creative activities. Through music, the band is also tackling the growing waste problem in Cali by creatively repurposing waste materials as instruments, aiming to raise awareness about the environment.
This is not the musician’s first time visiting Northern Ireland. They’ve previously worked with over 430 school children here, teaching them to build instruments from recycled materials and fostering communication through art. However, this marks their first visit to Draperstown, where they will visit the Cornstore, a community hub ran by Paddy Glasgow, founder of Glasgowbury Festival, where, as well as the workshops, they will play alongside the Small But Massive Samba Band.
Dr Edwar Calderon from Queen’s University Belfast, is facilitating the project and said: “When we engage with different communities in areas of post-conflict, we find that music is a universal language. Our goal for the workshop today in Draperstown is to create a space that is fun, reflective, and fosters curiosity and creativity. The impact often leaves participants with more questions than answers, which is exactly what we’re aiming for.”
“Colombia still faces a high level of violence and our work focuses on working with young people in deprived areas, where they may be recruited to gangs or paramilitary groups. We’re trying to plant a seed in young people to see another path in life and show them that there is more to life than just material things. Through constructing musical instruments out of reused materials, we can tell the world that change is possible.”
Reflecting on the Rathlin Island workshop, Dr Calderon added; “The experience was experimental in nature, as we worked with the waste materials we found on the island. We didn’t know exactly what to expect, but it was a unique learning opportunity for everyone involved. Not only did we learn about Rathlin, but participants also gained insight into Colombia's rich cultural heritage, particularly through the Afro-Colombian music the band performed, something perhaps the islanders have never heard before. We even made a song together to finish the workshop, which reflected on Rathlin, its community and environment.”
Also speaking about the project was Jonathan Stewart, Director, British Council Northern Ireland. He said: “Mr Klaje Collective will lead an engaging session with St Mary’s Primary School exploring how music, waste, and environmental sustainability intersect. Using recycled materials to create instruments and sound, the young people will not only explore their creativity but also engage in vital conversations around waste.
“International collaborations like this one are invaluable because they offer fresh perspectives and inspire innovative approaches to global challenges. We look forward to seeing how the next generation will be inspired to think creatively about sustainability .”
The workshops continue the British Council’s work, building connection, understanding and trust between people in the UK and overseas through arts, education and English language teaching. To find out more about their work in Northern Ireland visit https://nireland.britishcouncil.org/ or follow on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.