Yehudi Menuhin Added Music to Purpose of Earth Day
When I was in the Merchant Marine during World War II Yehudi
Menuhin played his violin for servicemen at a USO in
Trinidad. I was there and after his wonderful music I got
his autograph.
On August 11, 1996 I attended the Yehudi Menuhin Tribute at Avery
Fisher Hall. At that event Lord Menuhin added his signature to
the original 1970 Earth Day Proclamation -- which I had brought
for him to sign.
The original signatories included former UN Secretary General U
Thant, Anthropologist Margaret Mead, Astronaut Buzz Aldrin,
Senator Mark Hatfield, and former President of Costa Rica, Oscar
Arias, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize. The last signature added
(1995) was that of Yasir Arafat, President of Palestine.
Lord Menuhin provided a statement which was made a part of the
Earth Magna Charta . The text is as follows:
"YOUNG EARTH TRUSTEES: Arts and Crafts
The exercise of arts and crafts -- especially in the form of
singing, dancing, mime acting and music-making -- is the most
effective antidote to violence and crime. Let us ensure that
every child from the very first year will NEVER be deprived of
the aural and physical experience on which its whole life and the
future of humanity depends."
Throughout his life Lord Menhuhin effectively contributed to
efforts for peace and understanding -- by his words and with his
music.
John McConnell
March 1999