Following in the footsteps of the neighboring city of Pisa, the Mayor of Cascina in Tuscany proposed to Anna Chromy to organize for her an exhibition of her group “Music of the Rivers” during the Summer Festival in the city.

“I see in the Great Rivers of the World the Musical Instruments of Gaia, our Mother Earth.”

The Rivers sing the eternal melody of life and they dance to the rhythms that mark the passage of the seasons. Before flowing away and disappearing into the infinity of the oceans, they cross time and space, nature and history without ever interrupting their concert.

Rivers have been important throughout history. The world’s first great civilizations arose in the fertile flood plains of the Nile, the Yellow River and others. The Rivers provided routes for trade, exploration and settlement, and their rushing waters provide power to keep our industries going.

But, above all we attribute mystical powers to the great Rivers. The ancient Greeks believed that five rivers encircled Hades, the Underworld. For Hindus the Ganges has purifying power. Although millions of people bath regularly in its waters, it does not usually spread cholera, typhoid, or other water-borne diseases.
Other Rivers are considered as Mother of their homeland, like Mother Volga or the Yellow River as Mother River of China. Famous songs have been dedicated to Rivers, such as the “Blue Danube” by Johann Strauss, “Ole Man River” to the Mississippi, “Yellow River” by the British band Christie, and many others.
We can therefore justifiably consider the great Rivers, which keep the world’s water cycle turning, as the source of all life on Earth. Their imaginary Music reminds us that we are the Guardians of Earth, not the owners. It is our duty to ensure that the Music can continue unperturbed for eternity.

Anna Chromy