By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter
Canadian composer Steve Barakatt kicks off the global UNICEF anthem campaign in Seoul, Friday, for the 20th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of the Rights of the Child, the musician told The Korea Times in a recent email.
In the surprise visit, the music video of ``Lullaby,'' UNICEF's new anthem composed by Barakatt, will be revealed for the first time at ING Center, Sunhwa-dong, Jung-gu. The composer will play the piano.
On the same day, the music video will be released to over 26,000 media outlets around the world, including the United Nations headquarters in New York. The song will also be performed live by orchestras and ensembles on and around Friday in at least 15 countries in four continents and in outer space. Astronaut and UNICEF ambassador Frank Dewinne will screen the ``Lullaby'' music video onboard the International Space Station.
The four-minute piece features wordless vocals and orchestral music.
``When people around the globe hear this anthem, I want them to pause a moment and reflect on the lives of children around the world and the commitment the world made to them 20 years ago,'' Barakatt was quoted as saying in a statement released by ING.
UNICEF's commitment to creating a better world for all children falls perfectly in line with ING's own global program, ``Chances for Children,'' and, as part of the program, ING has a global partnership with UNICEF, said an ING representative. This close relationship is the reason for Barakatt's decision to hold the very first public performance of his new composition, UNICEF's official anthem, at ING Life Korea.
``The Declaration (of the Rights of the Child) is something we strongly believe in and this is reflected in our various local initiatives,'' said Arjan Toor, chief marketing officer of ING Life Korea.
More details regarding this event can be found at www.inglife.co.kr and the music video for``Lullaby'' will be available for download on portal site Naver's "Happy Bean" UNICEF Web site (happylog.naver.com/unicef.do) beginning Friday.
Meanwhile, Barakatt will give two concerts on Nov. 28, at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts. The program features ``Lullaby,'' as well as Barakatt's hit piano pieces such as ``Whistler's Song.'' Tickets cost 30,000 to 100,000 won. Call 1577-5266.