New York, USA – The Andrea Bocelli Foundation (ABF) is pleased to announce that on December 12th, 2022, the iconic Empire State Building’s Tower Lights will be lit in blue and white in recognition of the Foundation’s innovative music education program “ABF Voices of.” The project creates choruses with children from socially, economically, and culturally disadvantaged areas by implementing a unique methodology that helps empower the participants and their communities.
At 11:45am ET, Maestro Bocelli will be accompanied by his family members and the Foundation’s leadership to flip the ceremonial “switch” of the Empire State Building’s famed Tower Lights, which will flood the city’s skyline in blue and white that evening. They will then make their way to the renowned open deck Observatory on the 86th floor, to admire the festive views of Manhattan and beyond, marking a truly special and symbolic moment in ABF’s journey.
With a focus on children and youth, the “ABF Voices of” program was developed by the Foundation to unlock the potential of participants through the creation of regional choruses in disadvantaged areas. The program is a natural extension of the Foundation’s tireless work to expand its mission of “empowering people and communities” and introducing music as an innovative language and tool to promote inclusion. One that is in line with the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda Goal #4.7 and underscores the world’s cultural diversity and richness, ultimately preparing children and youth to become true Global Citizens.
Maestro Bocelli, ABF Founder, stated “I believe that music and art have the power to change lives. It’s what fuels us so that we may live fully, with passion and drive. It is especially essential in situations of poverty or catastrophe, when nurturing talent can often be relegated to the sidelines. Singing all together, in a group, means learning to exist side by side, in harmony, unlocking crucial tools for a peaceful coexistence, while at the same time underlying the fundamental importance of each and everyone’s role in a community and beyond, empowering our sense of worth.”
“ABF Voices of” is the evolution of the “Voices of Haiti” pilot launched in 2016. The pilot’s success resulted in performances in some of the most awe-inspiring settings including the United Nations General Assembly (2016) and the Vatican during an audience with His Holiness Pope Francis (2017). Subsequently, the global “ABF Voices of” program was announced at the UNESCO General Assembly in 2018, with a chorus of Italian and Ukrainian children titled “ABF Voices of Peace – Italy” launched in 2022, and “ABF Voices of Jerusalem” being planned to launch in 2023.
On the occasion of the Empire State Building lighting, ABF will also unveil its first White Paper titled “A unique approach to empowerment: key learnings from ABF educational projects,” which charts the work undertaken by the Foundation since its inception to elevate approaches to education both in Italy and beyond through a number of strategic projects.
Veronica Berti Bocelli, ABF Vice Chair concluded: “We are delighted to be in New York at the world’s most famous office building to celebrate the incredible achievements of our choristers from Haiti, Italy and Ukraine. It has been a privilege to see our ‘ABF Voices of’ project grow from an innovative pilot back in 2016 into such a success story, evolving into a global educational model seeking to empower people and communities in need. I am very excited by our next chapter, ‘ABF Voices of Jerusalem,’ which will commence in early 2023.”
Rounding up ABF’s 2023 activities, ABF celebrates the holiday season with a short film featuring a special participation of Maestro Andrea Bocelli, his family and a group of children from the ABF projects, including “ABF Voices of” choristers. The special performance is available here (link).
