About the project
António Guterres
Secretary-General of the United Nations
A video message of the UN Secretary-General for SIT DOWN – Peace Child on the 80th anniversary of the United Nations.
From an idea to a movement
The Slovenian Youth Orchestra (SMO) was the driving force and conceptual leader behind SIT DOWN, developed with Peace Child International, the creators of the legendary Peace Child musical. Young artists from around the world reshaped its script and structure with their own words, emotions and reflections.
The initiative was first presented to the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia (Directorate for Economic, Cultural and Scientific Diplomacy), which immediately recognised its significance in a time of global conflict – as the world marked 80 years of the United Nations. Throughout more than a year of preparations the Ministry offered strong and committed support.
SPIRIT Slovenia became a key partner, with a clear vision of how culture, diplomacy and the economy intertwine. SIT DOWN ran under the honorary patronage of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon, and grew into a project that brought together 278 people from 25 nationalities.
Four stages, one message
From a summer camp at Brdo pri Kranju to Križanke in Ljubljana, the UN Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka and the Wiener Konzerthaus.
Young people from crisis areas
A special place was given to young people from crisis areas, whose stay was made possible by the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia.
Amwaj Choir · Palestine
Founded a decade ago in Bethlehem and Hebron by Italian musician Michele Cantoni and his wife Mathilde Vittu, professor at the Paris Conservatoire. A symbol of artistic resistance and hope.
Music is one of the most powerful forms of dignity and resistance. — Michele Cantoni
Superar · Bosnia and Herzegovina
Voices born from painful experiences of war and displacement, building today the story of a common future. Artistic director Alma Karić.
Music for the Future · Ukraine
Young Ukrainian musicians whom SMO enabled to continue their musical education in Slovenia since March 2022 – proof that music transcends borders and conflicts.
Sit down.Listen.Act.
From a summer camp at Brdo pri Kranju to the stage of the Wiener Konzerthaus — six moments in which young people took a seat, raised their voices and brought them to decision-makers, business leaders and full concert halls.
Young people learn to become active global citizens
For the first time the Summer Orchestral Camp of the Slovenian Youth Orchestra ran under SIT DOWN — so the young musicians did not only rehearse. With mentors Kaja Primorac and Faris Kočan they discovered how to use their voice in the international community: the tools of advocacy, the role of the United Nations, their fears and hopes for the future, and how to say it all clearly, confidently and with courage.
- Tools for effective advocacy
- The role of the UN
- Challenges beyond borders
- Messengers of peace
170 young musicians and artists at Brdo
A ten-day residency at the state estate Brdo pri Kranju: sectionals with mentors in the mornings, workshops on the UN and active citizenship in the afternoons, then tutti rehearsals with conductor Živa Ploj Peršuh. Here the orchestra lived and learned together — and here the new Peace Child musical, combining orchestra, choir and narration, began to take shape. For the first time they were joined by the Amwaj Choir from Palestine, Superar from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Ukrainian musicians of Music for the Future.
Youth took a seat for dialogue
In five thematic groups, together with ambassadors, academics and youth experts, young people worked on the Declaration on Future Generations — among them peers coming directly from Palestine and Ukraine. In the afternoon they presented their demands directly to diplomats and decision-makers, including the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Tanja Fajon.
- Peace & security
- Safe migration
- Sustainability
- Inclusive societies
- Intergenerational justice
“I promise to carry your voices to the world, including to the UN Security Council.”Tanja Fajon, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs
Where culture meets economy
Before the premiere, together with SPIRIT Slovenia, business leaders, diplomats and cultural representatives met to explore how culture and the economy can jointly build a sustainable future. Two panels: culture as a partner in shaping societies and responsible entrepreneurship, and artificial intelligence for sustainability.
“Young people are the driving force of innovation, creativity and growth.”Matjaž Han, Minister of the Economy, Tourism and Sport
Sold out. 170 young performers, one voice.
Orchestra, choir and narrators stood together as one: the Amwaj Choir from Palestine, the SUPERAR choir from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ukrainian musicians of Music for the Future and the Slovenian Youth Orchestra. The legendary 1980s musical by David Gordon and David Woollcombe, reimagined and co-written by young people — not about a distant future, but about the wars of today. The premiere was recorded by Radio Slovenija and broadcast on 31 October 2025.
The message reached the world
One day after the premiere, under the patronage of SPIRIT Slovenia, the audio and video recording of Peace Child was presented to the global public at the United Nations Pavilion at the Expo 2025 Osaka world exhibition – and visitors were moved by the energy of the young performers and the power of their message.
Source: Izvozno okno, 27 August 2025
Peace Child · Vienna
On the eve of the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, young musicians carried the message of peace, solidarity and cooperation to one of the world’s great concert halls — honoured by Tanja Fajon, honorary patron of SIT DOWN, and Candice Welsch of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime. At the “Slovenian Day” in Vienna, SPIRIT Slovenia and Advantage Austria / WKÖ hosted the business forum “Austria – Slovenia: connected for the future”, bringing together nearly 300 companies and institutions from both countries – supported by the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in Vienna, the Permanent Representation to the UN and OSCE in Vienna and SKICA.
With heartfelt thanks
The Slovenian Youth Orchestra, ART BSA and Peace Child International thank all partners, institutions and individuals whose support made the international initiative SIT DOWN and the musical Peace Child possible.
For invaluable support, strategic guidance and recognising the project’s significance for international cooperation and cultural diplomacy.
For recognising the project’s potential to strengthen the links between the creative sector and economic development.
For longstanding trust in the Slovenian Youth Orchestra and for giving young musicians one of Slovenia’s most prominent cultural stages.
For ongoing investment in the development of young creators and artistic initiatives.
Who laid the foundations on which the orchestra, choir and narrators shaped, built and completed this powerful story.
- Director & scriptMatej Filipčič
- ArrangementsMatija Krečič
- Sound designLuka Božič
For refreshments on concert day, so the young musicians could shine on stage with full energy.
For their generous donation – together with the Trilateral Commission and the Embassy of Spain in Slovenia.
Who, with dedication and professionalism, co-created every step of this project.
A force of artistic vision who, in just ten days, transformed young musicians of different ages, backgrounds and social contexts into a unified whole that shone at the premiere on 23 August on the grand stage of Križanke.
Project team
Mentors: Carolina Tonco, Deyan Muc, Katja Žekar, Maruša Bogatej, Stevan Jovanović, Barbara Špital, Tomaž Kukovič, Jure Gradišnik, Matjaž Drevenšek, Petra Vidmar, Tea Plesničar, Irma Močnik, Damijan Močnik, Alma Karić · Creative workshops: Kaja Primorac, Faris Kočan, Nina Pečar, Klemen Bračko, Urša Strehar Benčina, Veronika Grubič, Eva Moškon · Narrators (Vienna): Dominic Mafham, Joe Keegan, Charlotte Wadrup, Pia Fabijan, Adrian Grošelj, Alessandro Asselin
Partners and supporters
Project partners
Partners in Vienna
Programme partners
Austria
Project supporters
