It’s August. Nerves are running high as stage lights beam and an audience rumbles with anticipation. It’s almost time for the next act to perform at the annual Petronio Álvarez Pacific Music Festival. Thousands of people have arrived to eat, sing and dance their way through the streets of Cali, Colombia, and 16 young people are about to go on stage, drums and violins in hand, with a single message:
Put down your weapons and pick up an instrument, instead.
The group, named Renacer Bonaerense, is born from a project Plan International started in Colombia to promote peacebuilding through art in areas affected by ongoing armed conflict. Widespread instability has caused families to flee their homes and girls to face increased gender-based violence and exploitation throughout the country.
For children and young people, processing their experiences and learning self-expression skills through art has positive impacts on their wellbeing, and can unleash their potential to change their communities for the better.
Ada Luz and Valery, two members of Renacer Bonaerense, are using their talents to advocate for peace in Colombia and encourage others to explore art instead of participating in the violence.
“I think the most important role we can play is to take action,” 18-year-old Valery says. “We, as young people, are called to change the things our ancestors did that perhaps didn’t contribute to peacebuilding. Instead of picking up a gun, we can pick up an instrument, a book, or start making art or poetry. We need to move away from violence and explore other possibilities.”
A violinist and drummer, Valery also serves as the director of the music group and has been involved in art programs and initiatives with Plan since she was 10 years old. Her journey through music and leadership is an inspiration to her entire community.
“For me, music has been the lifeline I needed,” she says. “From the moment I started, I knew it was what I wanted to do. Many girls and boys are now seeing music as an alternative way to make the most of their free time and as a way to build peace.”
“Being a woman who plays traditional music wasn’t easy at first. The violin and drum are instruments mostly played by men, and in our community, there was a lot of machismo. It was strange for girls to be seen playing these instruments. There was a belief that we would loosen the drums, break the violin strings or somehow ruin the instruments. It hasn’t been easy, but we’ve been able to break down those false beliefs.”
Fifteen-year-old Ada Luz is both a violinist and singer in the group. Having grown up living through armed conflict, she sees art and music as powerful tools for children and young people to express themselves in a healthy way and to build social bonds.
“We want to turn the pain of the armed conflict into something lighter, into jokes and laughter, so that all this suffering becomes a thing of the past and is forgotten,” Ada Luz says. “And it’s the same with the music, it moves you so much. It can remove the pain or mixed feelings that you have. In other words, it helps you to let go. I like to sing, share with my friends, do theater and express myself in front of other people and tell them about everything I have experienced.”
Ada Luz has represented her community in multiple forums, including being an ambassador for a day for Sweden and participating in the construction of a governance pact for children. She is determined to ensure that the voices and opinions of girls are heard and hopes to eventually create her own foundation to help people in need.
“There are songs that are made for peace,” Ada Luz says. “They motivate people to leave armed conflict behind and focus more on the present and what lies ahead. To not just focus on all the bad things that have happened in my community but on what’s coming in the future, and everything that we can live for and what’s beautiful.”
“For me, peace is a dream — a dream I hope will soon come true,” Valery says. “I hope that in the future, not only for myself but for the children younger than me, they will be able to live a peaceful life without fear.”
