Voice Power

VOICE POWER is a joint project where two choirs, Sofia Gospel, Stockholm, Sweden and Fukeni Lutheran Parish Choir, Moshi, Tanzania, work together. The work concerns musical performances as well as discussions on human rights, more specifically the right of expression. VOICE POWER should be understood as singing voice, but also the power to make oneself heard in social and political contexts. VOICE POWER is funded by Swedish Institute and Sofia Gospel.

The first meeting of the choirs will take place in Moshi 2–9 January 2010. The second meeting will take place in Stockholm 15–21 March 2010.

The first step of the project was taken in Sweden in November 2006, when Pastor Kennedy Kisanga from Fukeni Lutheran Parish visited Botkyrka church for an international sermon. Kennedy met with Dan Arvefjord, a teacher of music and religion at S:t Botvids Gymnasium (upper secondary school) and the leader of Sofia Gospel. The two men immediately understood that they wanted to work together. Kennedy invited Dan and his choir to come to Moshi.

Sofia Gospel has since its start in 2001 worked with a social agenda, giving concerts for homeless people and for people in jail. Every New Year’s Day, the choir sings in a concert for peace in Sofia Church. The Fukeni Lutheran Parish has worked with various social projects, as the Milk Project in Moshi, providing school children with milk on their way to school. Another project is the founding of a preschool in Fukeni, and yet another one is the starting-up of a learning centre, where students can learn English.

Important dates

2–9 January 2010 Sofia Gospel is in Moshi, Tanzania, to give concerts with singers from Fukeni Lutheran Parish.

15–21 March 2010 Kennedy Kisanga and Fukeni Lutheran Parish Choir are in Stockholm, to give concerts with Sofia Gospel.

20 March Concert in Sofia Church.