ORtimist? Today? “Yes, optimism is a choice. Shimon Peres, the Israeli president Nobel Peace Prize, said: “Optimists and pessimists die in the same way, but they live very differently …”. And this attitude does not just influence your vision of reality: it allows you to change it! ».
31 years after his debut – and 30 after his first concert in Italy, in Catania – Noa continues to indissolubly intertwine music & activism. You are a promoter of the dialogue between Israel and Palestine, a supporter of the two-state solutionnever tires of being a voice against any conflict: the most emblematic stop of his new tour will be May 7 in Milan, in favor of the Opera San Francesco for the Ukrainian emergency.
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Noa, an artist for peace
Noa and the free festival
And he already has another appointment in our country: a festival in Arona (Novara), from June 17th to 19th. «I’ve been thinking about it for years and, finally, I managed to launch it. It will be absolutely free and will be called Noa’s Arklike Noah’s ark “ laughs. «Classical, jazz, world music, Neapolitan songs… We will play everything (a bit of a summary of my repertoire, after all) with special guests».
Have you already set the schedule for the tour?
It will be a rainbow: from the first pieces to the most recent projects, such as the one dedicated to Bach (Letters to Bach) or the jazz one made during the pandemic (Afterallogy). And, of course, she will not fail Beautiful That Wayfrom the soundtrack of Life is Beautiful: is particularly appropriate during this period.
Noa (photo Ronen Akerman).
A song for a smile
“Smile, without a reason why / Love, as if you were a child»: Smile for no reason, love like a child …
For some time now, at the end of each concert, I’ve been reading a sort of manifesto of the things I believe in. I want viewers to come up with something to think about. And to carry in the heart.
A few points?
Life is never black or white. We need to focus on loving siblings as you love yourself and on protecting Mother Nature, who is part of our family (she is working on an audiovisual project for coral reef preservation, ed). It is a duty to support those who are committed to the collective good. The use of violence has never solved anything. We must not let ourselves be guided by fear, because it paralyzes: attentive and aware yes, fearful no. People cry during this part of the show, and I get excited too.
Not even in moments like the present do you have any doubts that, unfortunately, it is all useless?
These are not just words. I try to live according to these principles and I can assure you that it pays off: it gives joy, meaning to existence, hope, good energy… This is why my career is so long! (laughs heartily) You don’t have to be religious to do it: I’m not religious at all, even though I respect every faith.
Ukraine, the little girl who sings “Let it go” from “Frozen” in the bunker makes everyone move
But can one give hope?
Yes, starting to focus on the good that is there: if you are not in the middle of a war, if you have security, family, friends, food… you are lucky. So, first, say: thank you! A feeling of gratitude is essential. Then: get up and act. Maybe a minimum thing: five euros to a charity, a visit to an elderly person who is alone, one hour a week of volunteer work. Or write something positive on the web: we cannot erase the darkness, on the other hand we can exalt the light. I believe in generosity and I believe that when you give, you receive.
The Dalai Lama says that altruism is the most intelligent form of selfishness.
Perhaps I would use a different word: self-preservation. Altruism is survival. Egoism is more “serving the Ego”, instead it is necessary to serve life. If you look around to see where you can help, unfortunately you are spoiled for choice. We must remember that there is not only the Ukrainian tragedy: there is Afghanistan, Syria, Yemen (my family is from there); in Northern Ethiopia the genocide is continuing. There are other wars in Africa, but they are black and the people are less sensitive. Very sad. And I would add: unleash your creativity. If you like to paint, paint. If you enjoy growing flowers in the garden, go for it. If you like playing, singing… Enrich your soul.
Noa with Gil Dor (Ipa photo).
“My name is Achinoam”
Where do you look for inspiration?
It comes when I dedicate myself to simple gestures: when I drive, when I cook. The body performs a mechanical action and leaves the mind free to wander. Cutting a salad isn’t as complex as cutting a diamond! (smiles) But … It’s hard to explain. I don’t think that my songs and my music are “me”: I am just a recipient, I “transport” them to people because I had the gift of receiving them. I have no ego problems, I don’t see it as an ego thing at all. (laughs)
What does his real name, Achinoam, literally mean?
It comes from the Bible: “Sister of Peace”.
Nooo! Nomen omen.
And since it is difficult to pronounce, I chose Noa. Which forms the central part of it and has a nice story: Noa she is the first feminist of the Holy Scriptures, in the Book of Numbers, the first to commit herself to women’s rights. And there is a second aspect: the acronym Noa stands for Not Only Achinoamnot just Achinoam. For me “career” means making music with a group of friends, like Gil Dor (Israeli guitarist and founder of Rimon School of Musicin Tel Aviv, ed), my teacher and mentor: it’s a family business.
By the way, she has an uncommon history: born to Jewish parents in an Arab country like Yemen, raised in New York and eventually moved to Israel. Ever had an identity crisis?
I was born in Yemen, but my family had already lived in Israel for generations. However the answer is no: I’ve had music with me since I was eight. Writing songs, singing, playing was the way to seek answers to my questions, to try to understand the world around me and understand myself. Music is my research, my catharsis, the place to grow up, where now to find myself confused and now to find the answers.
When did it also become a profession?
After returning to Israel for military service (as you know, this is mandatory for everyone here), which I did in the army entertainment unit. After the draft, I enrolled at the Rimon School, where I met Gil Dor, who introduced me, among others, to Pat Metheny.
Noa in concert at the Quirinale in 2018 (photo Ansa).
Noa, 30 years of marriage
The rest is history. But how did you manage to reconcile three children with the continuous tours?
Raising the children was the most difficult challenge. I brought them on the road with me for a long time. I’m lucky. I married an extraordinary man, a doctor who supported me (he was my first love, at 16: in June we celebrate 30 years of marriage) and I have a fantastic family: my mother and my aunt have traveled a lot with me. I have never left children at home. Let me be clear, though: I’m not preaching, I’m not explaining to women how they should behave. Each of her will find her way, listening to her heart and head. We must not allow anyone to intimidate us so as not to pass for “bad”. No! The world’s judgment on women is terrible, very heavy.
Our worst enemy, at times, is ourselves.
Exactly. That’s why the first step is to find love for yourself within yourself. Forgiveness, acceptance of who you are. Only in this way can you accept the love of others and give love to others. It is a process that we have to work on all our life, there is no magic potion. The title of the song that I brought to the Eurovision Song Contest (in 2009 her participation in representation of Israel paired with the Israeli Arab Mira Awad made an era. ed) was significant: There Must Be Another Way. There is always another way if you think out of the boxout of the box of preconceptions.
And the idea of perfection, what a trap.
Sure! The Japanese philosophy of wabi sabi is wonderful, according to which beauty lies in imperfections. Or, to quote Leonard Cohen, “There is a crack, a crack in everything, That’s how the light gets in” … Look for the cracks! (laughs)
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