The whole world must join the battle for Venezuela’s El Sistema

The whole world must join the battle for Venezuela’s El Sistema

In the music business, the occasional tour cancellation is almost a way of life. Lack of money, indisposed artists, terror attacks, ash clouds and much more can easily cause the best laid plans to crumble. But on Monday came something exceptional as the media reported that Venezuela’s most celebrated orchestra, the Orquesta Sinfónica Simón Bolívar de Venezuela, had had its forthcoming US tour cancelled by the office of the president of Venezuela.

Headlines across the world mentioned the name Dudamel, referring to the orchestra’s star conductor, the charismatic 36-year-old Gustavo Dudamel. Perhaps this should be no surprise: Dudamel had previously refused to comment on Venezuela’s political situation but did, with measured but increasing criticism, eventually come out against the growing violence. Last Friday the Venezuelan president, Nicolás Maduro, snapped back. “Welcome to politics, Gustavo Dudamel,” he is reported to have said. “But act with ethics, and don’t let yourself be deceived into attacking the architects of this beautiful movement of young boys and girls.”

He was referring to El Sistema, Venezuela’s most famous educational and cultural initiative. The musical education programme seeks to empower underprivileged children by teaching them music. Founded in 1975, it has received international acclaim, and has centres around the world, in countries including the US, the UK, Canada and Portugal.
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