Edition No. 18
In this Edition
Arts and Culture
British pianist Paul Barton has found a unique way to utilize his musical talents — performing for rescue elephants in Thailand. Listen as he enraptures these astoundingly beautiful and intelligent creatures.
Community and Family
Michelle Obama interviews Amanda Gorman for a recent TIME magazine issue, where they discuss art and activism, the black experience, and paving your own way in the world. Photo: Thomas Hatzenbuhler, Architect of the Capitol.
Our American Values
A 2019 CNN special report, looks back on how Finland has been protecting its democracy by dismantling and defending its news cycle against disinformation and lies.
Concert Pianist Plays Classical Music For Rescue Elephant in Thailand
Arnesia Young of My Modern Met writes in a February 5, 2021 piece: They say music is a universal language, and it turns out that’s even true for animals. At least it seems so according to the experience of Paul Barton — an artist and concert pianist who has been playing the piano to rescue elephants in Thailand since 2011. He performs a variety of classical compositions for the animals, who stand by attentively listening, seemingly spellbound by pieces from composers such as Beethoven, Schumann, and Grieg.
His most recent spectator is Mongkol, an aging bull elephant that was rescued from a life of captivity hauling trees for a logging company. “Occasionally, Mongkol when strolling along the river would stop by the piano,” Barton explains of his interaction with the gentle creature. “If we noticed him waiting I would go over and play him a few slow classical pieces.”
“There is a special bond between you and the elephant. You are communicating with them in a different language. That language is neither our nor theirs. There is something infinitesimally wonderful in a piece of Beethoven that connects me to that elephant and that feeling is otherworldly.”
Unity With Purpose: Michelle Obama and Amanda Gorman
On January 20, 2021, Amanda Gorman became a symbol of unity and hope across our nation, between generations, and among communities. At the Inauguration of President Biden and Vice-President Harris, Gorman captivated audiences with her poem, “The Hill We Climb.” One of the many people deeply moved by her words was former First Lady Michelle Obama, who had briefly met Gorman twice before. Gorman, appearing on the latest cover of TIME magazine (purchase a print of TIME’s ‘Black Renaissance’ cover here), engaged in a candid conversation with the former First Lady. In their time together, they discussed the black experience in America, the art of poetry, self-confidence, public perception, and blazing your own trail. This poignant conversation bridges together the various ways activist use their art to make a statement and the intentional step of pausing to listen, learn, and grow from those who have paved the way before.
“What’s been exciting for me is I get to absorb and to live in that creation I see from other African-American artists that I look up to. But then I also get to create art and participate in that historical record. We’re seeing it in fashion, we’re seeing it in the visual arts. We’re seeing it in dance, we’re seeing it in music. In all the forms of expression of human life, we’re seeing that artistry be informed by the Black experience. I can’t imagine anything more exciting than that.”
Awol Erizku for TIME.
Finland. Fake News. And Western Democracy.
On January 6, a mob fueled by a lie descended on the US Capitol to keep our Congress from fulfilling one of its constitutional duties. On that day, a calculated lie told repeatedly motivated an insurrection, sent our Congress fleeing to safety, cost lives, and truly threatened our democracy. As a result, this might be a good time to look back at a 2019 CNN report on how Finland has been protecting its democracy by successfully combatting disinformation and lies. To do that, the Finns are teaching people of all ages, including students, journalists, politicians, and the average citizen how to counter false information designed to sow division. Click or tap here to read the story.
“Finland is winning the war on fake news. What it’s learned may be crucial to Western democracy.”
Inspired Thoughts is a collection of highly curated content that embraces the spirit and purpose of The War Memorial: arts and culture, community enrichment, leadership, and patriotism.
Derived from the notion that learning from others is the key to success, Inspired Thoughts is meant to shine a light on those making a difference in the world around them. This collection features artists, poets, writers, architects, and every thought leader in-between. Inspired Thoughts is the strongest reflection of what The War Memorial stands for, and what we aim to be.
The content featured on Inspired Thoughts is curated by War Memorial leadership — we also look forward to featuring special guest curators in the near future. If you are interested in providing content for Inspired Thoughts, please email our Community Engagement team at bhoste@warmemorial.org.