As I am spending time with my family in the heart of the Alps, in the picturesque village of Gryon, I felt drawn to its local church. A modest yet magnificent structure, always open, it must have once been the epicenter of cultural life. My sister-in-law Isabelle, a beautiful soul who has been married to my brother George for over 20 years, joined me. Together, we entered the serene space, sitting quietly for a moment. Isabelle remarked on how young people no longer frequent churches and shared how many struggle to fill their pews nowadays. Before we left, she made a donation via a conveniently placed QR code by the exit—a small gesture toward sustaining this historical gem.
As we left, my mind wandered to the day of Isabelle and George’s wedding. Their ceremony was held in a church much like this one, filled with hope and joy. Isabelle also mentioned how traditions like appointing godparents for children persist but are now less about religious practices and more about fostering social bonds—a friendly ritual that connects people.
I lingered by the church’s charming water fountain, marveling at the purity of Swiss water, drinkable from almost any source. Nearby, a poster caught my eye: a concert by accordionist Yves Moulin titled Les Perles de l’Est. Intrigued, I decided to attend, and on the evening of Friday, January 3rd, I invited my friend Irina to join me.
When we arrived, a gracious lady greeted us at the door and handed us a detailed program. To my delight, the evening’s repertoire was entirely of Slavic origin. We eagerly found seats near the front, anticipating the performance. A lady took the stage, offering a warm welcome and expressing gratitude to the Association of Classical Concerts of Gryon for organizing the event. Following her, the priest spoke, drawing a poignant parallel between the Eastern sages journeying to Jerusalem and Yves Moulin bringing his "Eastern stars" into this house of God. He also announced that warm wine would be served afterward—a rare and delightful allowance within the church.
As the church filled with an expectant audience, Yves Moulin appeared, his friendly demeanor matched by the elegance of his accordion. His performance captivated the room. Each piece was met with enthusiastic applause and bravos, as the Swiss audience, many in their twilight years, delighted in his masterful playing and heartfelt stories. Yves, a lover of Eastern cultures, shared anecdotes about his travels through Belarus, Ukraine, the Czech Republic, Poland, and beyond, weaving their musical traditions into his repertoire.
One particularly moving moment was Yves’s performance of "Kupalinka," a Belarusian song taught to him by his friend Anatoly Taran, a once-prominent accordionist turned taxi driver in Minsk after his career was disrupted by the Belarusian protests. Yves dedicated the piece to Anatoly and the prisoners of the gulags, evoking their struggles through the haunting sounds of footsteps and wind on his accordion—a powerful symbol of an eternal search for freedom.
The evening also celebrated the rich tapestry of Eastern European music, from Polish and Moldovan folk tunes to Ukrainian, Serbian, and Finnish melodies. Yves expressed his deep admiration for Russian music, with "Les Fantaisies Russes" by Jörg Draeger standing out as a lively, uplifting piece. Watching the audience tap their feet and nod their heads to the rhythm was heartwarming, especially in a time when Russians are often perceived as a threat. Music transcended politics, reminding us of the shared humanity and culture that bind us all.
Video of the performance (Russian Fantasies)
This Panslavic concert in the heart of Switzerland was a pure joy—a testament to the power of music to dissolve misconceptions, foster friendships, and ignite hope. Under the roof of God’s home, peace seemed possible, starting here in Gryon. A heartfelt thank you to the organizers for rekindling the fire of unity in our hearts.
Happy New Year! May 2025 bring more moments of harmony and shared inspiration.