Flash mobs have gathered across Europe to protest European Youth Orchestra’s closure. Since EUYO’s demise was announced on 12 May a campaign to save the orchestra – who lost its EU funding – has taken place on social media using the hashtag #SaveEUYO.
Members of the orchestra past and present came together along with supporters to form flash mobs in London, Vienna, Berlin and Brussels. In each location the gathered musicians played Beethoven’s Ode to Joy – the official anthem of the EU.
Big name supporters of the campaign include Royal Northern College of Music, Royal Conservatoire, Paavo Jarvi, London Symphony Orchestra, musicians from America’s National Symphony Orchestra and Norman Lebrecht from Slipped Disc.
You can read some of the messages of support below:
