Zitherist International

Culturas Musicais da União Europeia
Musical Cultures of the European Union: An Instrumental Voyage

The Museu de Música (Music Museum) of Lisbon, Portugal put on an exhibit about the 27 European States as represented by their characteristic musical instruments. The Zither was the representative of Germany. Willi Huber and Donald Tsusaki provided assistance to the Director of the exhibition.

The Exhibit

Musical Cultures of the European Union was built around the metaphor of a travel-exhibition which wended its way through the 27 European States. Actually set in the microcosm of Lisbon's Music Museum, the Exhibit used the characteristic instruments of each country as ambassadors. The Zither represented Germany, and among other countries were for example the kaval (Bulgaria), saxophone (Belgium), bouzouki (Greece), and nyckelharpa (Sweden).

Running from 21.September 2007 the musical journey brought visitors back home to the end of the Portuguese Presidency on 29.December 2007. The selection of instruments was not intended to be exhaustive; rather, the exhibit sought "common roots in a unity made out of instrumental diversity."

Photo of Willi Huber used at the "Musical Cultures of the European Union exhibit in Lisbon, Portugal (photo by a relative of Huber)

Before its opening, Rui Pedro Nunes, the Director of the exhibit contacted me. He had been unable to find pictures of museum quality, in particular of the Zither in use. I contacted Willi Huber in Munich, Germany. He readily agreed to help, and as it turned out, he had a relative who is a professional photographer.

Huber got in touch with Nunes to find out what kind of image he envisioned. Shortly thereafter, Huber was able to provide the image at the right.

Mr. Nunes also asked me to provide some text that could be used as a basis for the exhibit notes.

The brochure describes the exhibit in more detail. For more information, see the web site of the Music Museum in Lisbon. See also the portrait of Willi Huber.

WIlli Huber also was invited to give a performance on 15.December 2007 at the Musical Cultures of the European Union exhibit.

Note the photo of Willi Huber used as a backdrop to this portion of the exhibit.

Willi Huber next to the flyer announcing his performance.

Willi Huber performing on 15.December 2007 at the exhibit in Lisbon, Portugal.