Foreign Ministers Steinmeier and Kouchner Step to Mic in Berlin Recording Studio

Foreign Ministers Steinmeier and Kouchner Step to Mic in Berlin Recording Studio

WASHINGTON, Nov. 12 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier and French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner stepped to the mic on Monday, November 12, in Berlin to record the first-ever vocal track by two foreign ministers. Together with German-Turkish recording artist Muhabett and seven talented young people, they recorded a song whose lyrics address the recognition, respect and appreciation for the diverse cultural backgrounds of people in Germany.

This unusual appointment was part of the eighth German-French Ministers Council, which is addressing the issue of integration this time.

Steinmeier and Kouchner brought two messages with them as they met and exchanged ideas with the young people in the studio in Berlin's diverse Neukolln neighborhood. "We are not here to learn how to sing," Steinmeier said. "We want to show that we benefit from the abundance of cultures. Even with all the mistakes, the omissions in the process of integration, there are successful cooperations," Steinmeier said. The second message, he said, is that young artists tell their own people: Learn German, get training.

The song they recorded, "Deutschland," was written by Muhabett and a 17-year-old budding artist, Sefo, in a new sound that is emerging, R'nBesk. Pioneered by Muhabett, R'nBesk is a style that combines American R&B, Turkish Arabesk and Pop with German lyrics. Muhabett explained what the song stands for: young German-Turks and German-Orientals are approaching Germany musically. They are emphasizing their desire for recognition and affirming their complex identity that is still one worth living, he said.

Muhabett, a role model and voice for other young German-Turkish and German-Oriental people, has kept in contact with Foreign Minister Steinmeier since traveling to Turkey with him in 2005. P.L.A.K. Music is an independent label based in Berlin and anchored in the community of young immigrants. "We bring cultures together; our means of communication is music," the company says in its own description.

Listen to the song or watch a video of the recording as podcast:

www.Germany.info/podcast

Download a picture of Foreign Minister Steinmeier and Foreign Minister
Kouchner in the recording studio / Credit: (C) Thomas
Koehler/photothek.net: http://www.germany.info/photo

"Deutschland" lyrics (PDF): http://www.germany.info/lyrics

P.L.A.K. Music: http://www.plakmusic.de/

Find more information on www.Germany.info

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: German Embassy

CONTACT: Silvana Reimann of German Embassy, +1-202-298-4248

Web Site:

http://www.germany.info/

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