London, 5 November 2024 – After 70 years of exchanging coal, steel, and fish within the European Union, the time has come for a more soulful exchange: song treasures. A cultural milestone, the first EU Songbook, assembled by the civil society independent of the EU institutions, has finally been published in collaboration with Hal Leonard Europe, Gads Forlag and Dansk Sang.
To read this press release in official European languages, please visit https://www.eu-songbook.org/press-releases/
Song celebrations are heard across the EU today where the motto of the European Union, ‘Unity in Diversity’, has been concretised in a pioneer songbook. The EU Songbook was created with the participation of more than 100 music organisations and conservatories, and through public votes covered by over 400 media outlets, engaging more than 87,000 citizens across the union. The result are 164 songs, six from each of the 27 EU populations, presented in both the original 25 languages and in singable “European English”, side by side.
Even though the EU Songbook originated from civil society, the project was supported profoundly by 18 ministers of culture and education, as well as by the European Parliament, who granted it the European Citizen’s Prize 2023.
From the Byzantine Empire to rock-classics
Each of the 164 classics are presented for solo voice, with chords, and with lyrics in both the 25 original languages (spanning three alphabets) and in singable European English, side by side. A mosaic of introductions, crafted by 61 national editors, provides unique insight into European music history spanning six centuries, from a Byzantine hymn to European rock-classics. For those who wish to listen to the songs, QR codes printed on all 164 scores lead to original recordings. Additionally, a free app is available for all who wish to participate in the European song exchange.
Jeppe Marsling, the Danish founder of the European non-profit NGO behind the project, comments on the intention of the EU Songbook:
“With the EU Songbook, we hope to enable the 27 populations to live less parallel lives through song exchange. We are pleased that one of the Irish songs included, Ag Críost an Síol, is in Gaelic, so that everyone has a chance to experience this most recent official EU language. We chose the term ‘European English’ on the cover because it reflects the way we Europeans speak our most common second-language—coloured by our native tongues. It is not meant for perfection, but for heart-to-heart dialogue. The EU Songbook is intended for all kinds of meetings between all kinds of people, whether in good times or times of crisis: for education, concerts, diplomatic engagements, or even for first-time conversations on a train or in a café. Moreover, we hope to inspire singing events on the largely silent annual Europe Day, May 9th—our European ‘Dependence Day’.”
Where to find the EU Songbook
To learn about the list of songs selected by each EU member country, please visit https://www.eu-songbook.org/press-releases/
The EU Songbook is now available throughout the EU, UK and USA. The WebApp, which includes all 164 titles, introductions, and links to YouTube, is free for download via the App Store and Google Play or via the following QR code:
About Hal Leonard Europe
Hal Leonard, which joined Muse Group in 2023, is the world leader in sheet music publishing and music education, enjoying a storied history of providing music learners with the very best arrangements of popular music for over 70 years. Hal Leonard also supplies books, instruments, gear, and software to millions of educators worldwide.
About Gads Forlag
Gad Publishers / Gads Forlag is an independent Danish publishing house founded in 1855. We are the leading publisher of high-end nonfiction in Denmark, and our list also includes fiction, children’s literature, reference and textbooks.
About Dansk Sang
Dansk Sang is a Danish publishers specialised in music pedagogical materials primarily for use in primary schools, churches, music schools, youth education programs, daycare institutions, and private homes.
Press Contacts
Bosba Panh, Product Specialist. Hal Leonard Europe.
bpanh@halleonardeurope.com
Jeppe Marsling, Chairman, The EU Songbook Association.
Henrik Sebro, Head of Nonfiction, Gads Forlag.
Rebecca Scavenius, Head of Press, Gads Forlag.
Jakob Faurholt, Project Manager, Dansk Sang.
jakob@dansksang.dk