This is not an April Fools’ joke.
Russian troops are massed on the borders of Ukraine.
People are shopping in the fish market in Odessa, going about their daily life.
Then a flash mob appears.
Why do these notes always speak of hope? Why do they stir us so?
Why do we hear this music and think of a better world?
Thank you, Andrew Sullivan, for posting this beautiful scene.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
Jesu, Joy of man’s desiring:
Jesu, joy of man’s desiring,
Holy wisdom, love most bright;
Drawn by Thee, our souls aspiring
Soar to uncreated light.
Word of God, our flesh that fashioned,
With the fire of life impassioned,
Striving still to truth unknown,
Soaring, dying round Thy throne.
Through the way where hope is guiding,
Hark, what peaceful music rings;
Where the flock, in Thee confiding,
Drink of joy from deathless springs.
Theirs is beauty’s fairest pleasure;
Theirs is wisdom’s holiest treasure.
Thou dost ever lead Thine own
In the love of joys unknown.
Time for flash mobs for education, at sports events, in malls, at legislative meetings, outside Boehner’s office, in state capitals, coordinated and simultateous, throughout the U.S.
Brilliant of Dianne. 2 musical posts in one day. A day I will remember Diane for for the rest of my life.
The music surprises us with hope and joy when we have trouble seeing any reason for such feelings. Here’s to the spirit of the Ukrainian people!
awesome!!!
You are a national treasure.
What a perfect response to those Russians who dismiss Pussy Riot’s brave punk flash mob in the Orthodox cathedral as “sh***** on the carpet”l. Here it’s classical music (high class) in a fish market (humble) –the musicians are elevating the space, not desecrating it. I wonder what Putin would do if this had happened on Russian soil.
Soooo cool!
Sent from my iPad
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The arts will always win out both here and abroad. They may try to crush our art classes with CCSS/testing silliness but the arts will always rise above the occasion and persevere. It is not in mans’ nature to live in a world without the arts!
In these horrible education times… THE SHEER JOY ON SO MANY STUDENTS’ FACES when they realize they are about to have an art lesson or a music lesson or PE… must mean something so be on guard “corporate ed reformers”.. it does mean something!!! Will there ever be a flash mob covering zillions of standards set forth in common core? Who would stay for that one! But would people stay to sing a song? Hopefully “ed reformers” have enough brain cells to get the answer right on this one.
I loved it! Thanks.
If I could like this 100 times, I would. Brought tears to my eyes.
Thanks Diane…what a happy interlude. The Russians do the best flash mobs. Remember last year’s Puttin’ on the Ritz?
Was this sent by one of the few rational Repub pundits, Andrew Sullivan? Hope so…wish he would blog comments here. We would appreciate his views more than those whom he writes for on Jane.
Whichever Andrew this is, thank you.