Siberia. Audience of one. 

 

The first project of 2014 brought Keys of Change on a musical journey across the largest country in the world. This was a project based on one of the most emblematic and historical train journeys. Pianist Panos Karan and award winning photographer Tariq Zaidi, together with the unmissable blue case and keyboard, spent ten days travelling 9288km across Siberia, from Moscow to Vladivostok. With stops at Yekaterinburg, Irkutsk and Vladivostok, Panos performed for several orphanages and hospitals along the way, sharing vividly the message that music brings people together, from Greece, to the heart of Siberian winter. One of the hospitals visited was to play music for young patients undergoing cancer treatment. After a few performances in different wards, one of the doctors asked if it would be possible going in the ICU, in order to perform for one patient that couldn't join the group outside. This is where we met Galina. It was clear that she was feeble and tired from prolonged treatment. After the first piece she whispered: "Please play a bit more" and after the second work of music, with tears in her eyes she said, "I could listen to this music all day!" The short musical visit lasted almost an hour, as this audience of one was actively listening and absorbing what this private recital was all about: communication, strength and hope.