Greece
The Sing for Hope Pianos
Refugee Camps
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About this Program
Sing for Hope continues to serve displaced populations through five Sing for Hope Pianos in refugee camps and public areas in Athens, Greece. This unique partnership, funded by a six-figure, multi-year grant from an anonymous Europe-based foundation, is supported on the ground by El Sistema Greece, an intensive community music program.
Athens-based program director Anis Barnat reports that people are visibly moved by the Sing for Hope Piano artwork and the “illuminating effect” it has on the communal rooms. Reports also attest to the refugee children’s excitement when they see and play the SFH Pianos, spending longer in the communal rooms as a result.
The Sing for Hope Pianos in Greece benefit an estimated 90,000 refugees and community members annually, in partnership with El Sistema Greece.
A final note on this program: In our Sing for Hope travels over the years, we often find ourselves channeling the wisdom of the very songs we sing. The melodic phrase that comes to mind when we think of our great partnership with El Sistema Greece is, “I get by with a little help from my friends!” This program is the product of rigorous conversations over the course of several years with dear friends new and old, all of whom contributed invaluably to make this international partnership a reality: Daniel Schwartz, Eva Haller, Werner Binnenstein-Bachstein, Anis Barnat, Dimitra Raftopoulou, Elisa Sologni, and Hara Chryssikopoulou Kessaris. Grateful to you all, and here’s to the future and our ever-expanding harmonies!
Program News
The Sing for Hope Pianos
From the Bronx to Beirut, the Sing for Hope Pianos program is a global arts initiative that creates artist-designed pianos; places them in public spaces for anyone and everyone to enjoy; then transports and activates them year-round in permanent homes in schools, hospitals, transit hubs, refugee camps, and community-based organizations. Sing for Hope has provided more pianos for under-resourced public schools than any other organization in the world.
- 700+
- SFH Pianos Created
- 2+ Million
- People Annually Served
- 8 + Billion
- Media Impressions Garnered
Frequently Asked Questions
This is the most important question of all, and the answer is a resounding Yes! The Sing for Hope Pianos are for everyone and anyone to enjoy. Have a seat and play — it’s all yours!