Daniel Barenboim conducts the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra

Because music is "the language of peace," Daniel Barenboim created the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra, an orchestra made up of young musicians both Arab and Israeli, and from the Mediterranean region. Starting out as a group that performed occasionally, the WEDO has become a permanent orchestra that travels the world, promoting dialogue and peace between Jews and Arabs.

Conducted by Daniel Barenboim, the orchestra performs a powerful emotional programme: Beethoven's Symphony No. 3, Eroica and the Adagio from Mahler's Symphony No. 10.

Daniel Barenboim, the only Israeli citizen to bear a Palestinian passport, is known for everything he does to make the world more peaceful. "What gives me hope? Music-making," says he. "Because, before a Beethoven symphony, Mozart's Don Giovanni or Wagner's Tristan and Isolde, all human beings are equal."
Daniel Barenboïm, The Guardian, Wednesday 14th May 2008