How can I put into words the intensity of the emotions I felt this week?

Lyra has just experienced her first stopover at the enchanting Château de la Roche Jagu.

 This "little" idea, which had germinated almost three years ago during a chance encounter, has become a reality. Bringing together motivated people, finding funds, filling out administrative paperwork, convincing partners, organizing the schedule... All the energy invested, the efforts, but also the moments of despair disappear in the face of the magic of seeing Lyra come to life.

The meetings with the students were full of joy and curiosity. All the classes showed great enthusiasm. Thank you to the teachers for placing their trust in us. The program included Arwenn's musical tale, a presentation of the instruments by the musicians, a free exchange with the musicians to try out the instruments, and a "conductor" game where the children could choose which musicians should improvise together.

Some comments particularly amused us. The pegs on the tanpura were compared to cabbages (we are in Brittany, after all!), Parveen was renamed Pivoine (Peony), the transverse flute was renamed either "flûte traversante" (cross flute) or "flûte de traviole" (crooked flute), and the oud was compared to a watermelon... What laughter and surprises thanks to the children's spontaneity.

The students in one of the classes even treated us to a song they had written themselves on the theme of the meeting and Europe (winner of a school competition for Euro 2016), and the musicians joined in, improvising to set it to music. Magical!

We also recorded two initial tracks in the studio, including one with the sublime Rozenn Talec, a traditional singer and songwriter from Brittany. Her voice blends beautifully with that of Parveen, our Indian singer. It promises to be an exciting album! But you'll have to wait until next year, so be patient... Thanks to Eric for his warm welcome to his studio.
Yvon Le Corre, navigator, painter, and sketchbook artist exhibiting at the Château this year, also came to meet the musicians and our illustrator during the week, much to our delight. He even accompanied one of the classes to the exhibition to personally present his travel sketchbooks to the children.
Finally, we shot two music videos in the château thanks to the creativity and talent of Simon and Laure from Spoon Productions. Want to see how they turned out? Click below!

And how can we not highlight the beauty of the team?

What a joy to see the energy flowing through the team!

Throughout the week, five musicians, an illustrator, two directors, two sound engineers, and a volunteer helped raise awareness about music as a tool for intercultural dialogue. I am extremely proud to work with these people who, beyond their immense professional talent, have wonderful human qualities. They are all particularly happy to be united around our cause and love working with children. Their mutual admiration and camaraderie are moving.

The entire Lyra team joins me in thanking the team at Domaine Départemental de la Roche Jagu, who welcomed us with open arms. Their enthusiasm and faith in the association and in Lyra warms our hearts. They believed in us when we still had everything to prove. Working with partners like them gives us wings and, above all, makes us want to do everything we can to live up to their trust. A heartfelt thank you to Jean-Yves, Yvon, Pauline, Solenne, Laurence, and everyone else!

In no particular order,

Thanks to Parveen Sabrina Khan, our Indian singer, Aziz Ouertani, our Tunisian oud player, Antoine Péran, our Breton flutist, Ilyas Raphaël Khan, our Indian percussionist, and Pierre Droual, our Breton violinist. Thank you to Héloïse Robin, known as Izou, our illustrator. Thank you to Simon Guyomard and Laure Perroud, our video experts, to Jacques-Yves Lafontaine and Pierre, our sound wizards, and to Louise Courtois, our wonderful volunteer cook.
And a special thought for Youssef Ben Dhifallah, our dear Tunisian flutist who was unable to join us for administrative reasons (no need to spell it out, right?) and whom we missed very much. We can't wait for him to join us on our next stop in India!
Thanks also to our patron, Bérénice Bejo, who was very involved in helping us bring Lyra to life. Her enthusiasm delights us.
Finally, we would all like to extend our warmest thanks to our donors, patrons, and sponsors. Without their support, none of this would have been possible. They are Les Cochons Flingueurs in Saint Quay Portrieux, Les Viviers de Saint Marc in Tréveneuc, and Chez Rollais in Saint Brieuc.

A special thank you to Les Viviers de Saint Marc, who welcomed part of the team on Friday evening for a traditional Breton meal.

All these people and organizations have come together with a common goal: to spread their belief that diversity is a strength and that with curiosity and open-mindedness, the world is a much more beautiful place. And this is just the beginning!

With pride, happiness, and lots of hope,
See you soon,
Charlotte from Konstelacio