On 5th November 2021, the last episode of <Bird Meets Arts> series has been uploaded, the collaboration between EAAFP Foundation and Yeonsu Foundation for Arts and Culture(YSFAC). The last episode is about music, reflecting the 2021 World Migratory Bird Day theme “Sing, Fly, Soar – Like a Bird”, which the idea of the <Bird Meets Arts> was originated. The video includes two songs that Bowerbird Collective, an Australian musician, and Mr. Jeon Yoodong, a musician from the Republic of Korea, collaborated on and also the interview of their thoughts from the collaboration. Two videos are created this time – one for the performance video of two musicians, and the other for the interview and the song ‘The Godwit and Curlew’, one of the collaboration music.
Music without border: Virtual performance of the Song “Arrive” in Australia and Ro Korea
The music ‘Arrive’ is a song that captures the hearts of migratory waterbirds in their habitat that is disappearing when they arrived. It is composed by Mr. Jeon, arranged by Bowerbird Collective and the two musicians performed altogether online. The site where Bowerbird Collective is filmed is Hunter Estuary Ramsar Site(EAAF 010) located in Australia, a site designated as EAAFP Flyway Network Site and Ramsar Site. It is a habitat for various migratory waterbirds with over 28 species such as Bar-tailed Godwit, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew Sandpiper, and Far Eastern Curlew. Mr. Jeon filmed at Songdo Tidal Flat(EAAF 145) which is also a site both designated as EAAFP Flyway Network Site and Ramsar Site. Songdo Tidal Flat is an internationally important site for migratory waterbirds as about 20,000 individuals of migratory birds visit annually.
The next song, ‘The Godwit and Curlew’ is about the great journey of godwits and curlews. The hearts of the godwits and curlews in a long journey are expressed through beautiful lyrics. It is composed by Ms. Simone Slattery from Bowerbird Collective, lyrics written by Ms. Maggie Slattery, Korean lyrics translated by Mr. Jeon, and arranged and performed by Bowerbird Collective and Mr. Jeon altogether.
Performance of the song ‘The Godwit and Curlew’
The interview video showed the thoughts about the collaboration of two musicians. When they were asked the reason why they like birds and the inspiration they get from them, Ms. Simone Slattery from Bowerbird Collective answered that the sounds and colors of the birds are beautiful and outrageous, and they get the inspiration of birds through the wonderful journey and pattern the birds make. Mr. Jeon responded that he feels closer to nature when he hears the sound of birds, and he gets inspiration from those lively sounds. They also introduced the songs which they collaboration through an online format. Mr. Jeon said that the song ‘Arrive’ is a song that shows the hearts of migratory waterbirds in their habitat that is disappearing when they arrived. Further, Ms. Slattery from Bowerbird Collective emphasized that the song ‘The Godwit and Curlew’ delivers the great journey of migratory waterbirds and their potential threats during their flight, but ultimately, it is a message which includes hope and beauty.
The third question was about how musicians felt during the musical collaboration for creating music with birds as theme. Mr. Anthony Albrecht from Bowerbird Collective mentioned that they tried to inspire people to protect birds by expressing the beauty of birds through music. Mr. Jeon was amazed by the long journey of migratory birds and added that he hope people who watched the video could feel the same way as he did. Followed by a question asking their personal thoughts after the collaboration between the two musicians, Mr. Jeon cited that it would be a memorable experience since he felt he was communicating through music with Bowerbird Collective. Ms. Slattery responded that while COVID-19 gave us a lot of difficulty in our daily lives, it was an excellent opportunity to collaborate through an innovative project,<Bird Meets Arts> series. Mr. Albrecht added that it was an interesting experience collaborating with Mr. Jeon.
For the last question asking personal feelings of participating in the <Bird Meets Arts> series, Mr. Jeon was surprised at the fact that one of the Ramsar sites was located very close to the city. Ms. Slattery said they tried to create a deep emotional exchange between birds and people through musical performances themed in the environment since music is a multinational language. She added <Bird Meets Arts> series is a good example of showing a lot of countries and cultures trying to protect endangered species, which is a shared responsibility for all of us.
The “Birds Meets Arts” series produced total six videos. Each episode was released in a monthly basis from May 2021 in Korean and English version.
EP1: Migratory Waterbirds in Yeonsu, Incheon, RO Korea
EP2: Wetland
EP3: History of Songdo Tidal Flat, Yeonsu
EP4: Illustration and CEPA
EP5: Youth
EP6: Music
| Performance video | Interview video |
About EAAFP Foundation
The EAAFP Foundation was established in 2019 to contribute to providing the Partnership with a mechanism to support sustainable financing and expand its engagement with various types of organizations for the conservation of migratory waterbirds and habitats in EAA Flyway. The Foundation office is based in Songdo, Incheon, Republic of Korea. For more information, visit https://foundation.eaaflyway.net/
