They responded to the call of UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay at the International Conference on the Reconstruction of Iraq in February this year to unite in order to help revive the spirit of Mosul. The reconstruction of heritage and the revitalization of the educational and cultural institutions of the second largest city of Iraq is at the heart of this flagship initiative.

The International Choir and Philharmonic Orchestra, accompanied by Soprano Erminie Blondel, Tenor Paul Gaugler, Bass Eric Martin-Bonnet and Bass-Baritone Marc Scoffoni performed this Charles Gounod Opera in which Marguerite becomes the allegory of the innocent victims.

Several eminent personalities were present at these concerts, including Nicolas Gounod, great-great-grandson of Charles Gounod, H.E. Mr Laurent Stefanini, Ambassador, Permanent Delegate of France to UNESCO, and Mr Lazare Eloundou Assomo, Deputy Director of the World Heritage Centre.

"Mosul was a crossroads of knowledge, a multicultural city, a city witness and symbol of peace. It is this city that has been destroyed: out of the 20,000 buildings of Mosul, more than half are destroyed”, said Mr Lazare Eloundou Assomo, in his speech preceding the concert.

H. Exc. Mr Laurent Stefanini, Ambassador, Permanent Delegate of France to UNESCO, highlighted in his speech the work of the International Choir and Philharmonic Orchestra for World Heritage through the #UNITE4HERITAGE campaign initiated by UNESCO.

The International Choir and Philharmonic Orchestra and Amine Kouider were designated UNESCO Artists for Peace in April 1999, in recognition of their commitment to promote tolerance and culture of peace through their musical activities.