In Japanese, “dō ”means "the way" both as a route and as a process. In many languages, “do” is commonly associated with the first note of a musical scale. The Polish-Japanese wordplay "DROGA DŌ" thus reflects a "musical route," in this case, a refugee route leading from Poland through Lithuania to Japan and countries around the world.

We are the third Polish post-war generation. As young people growing up in post-Soviet Poland, we knew very little about the Holocaust, nor could we point out its traces in our cities, towns, and villages. Many of us - artists and activists - became involved in restoring the memory of our Disappeared Neighbors, perhaps thanks to the safe distance we had from their dramatic wartime experiences.

Since no one taught us about it at school, we discovered on our own that many Polish Jews were outstanding artists and intellectuals. Many of them co-created Polish cultural identity, not only in literature and theater but also in the classical music field. The path of remembrance and deeper awareness could only begin in a Poland that was democratic and free of censorship. We happened to be the first generation ready to go down this path.

The migration crisis appears to be one of the greatest challenges of the 21st century. The drama unfolding on the southern and eastern borders of the European Union, in Africa, and in the Middle East, urges questions about the human encounter with “the Stranger." The Polish experience seems unique in European history. During World War II, millions of Polish citizens of Jewish origin were officially estranged and faced a massive death sentence. The scale of tremendous systemic persecution makes it difficult to confront in individual, social, and cultural memory even now. Poland, therefore, has a special responsibility for the "work of remembrance".

The „Visas for Life” issued by Chiune Sugihara in Kaunas should take an appropriate place in common European memory. Saving at least twice as many lives as the famous Oskar Schindler, Chiune Sugihara has not yet been broadly recognized. Sugihara’s fascinating cross-cultural story connects many strands, such as deep humanism, and civil courage, having the inalienable human dignity at its very center. Bringing to life the "motes of humanity" (a term used by Sugihara in his testimonies) shapes attitudes that answer Marian Turski's call: "You shall not be indifferent!"

DROGA DŌ tells a powerful story of cooperation beyond borders. Without Jan Zwartendijk, there would be no idea for transit visas to Curacao, without Tadeusz Romer refugee ships could have been sent back from Japan, and without Chiune Sugihara’s civil courage and engagement, all hope would be lost right at his front door in Kaunas Vaižganto Street. Three diplomats from the Netherlands, Poland and Japan decided to act decently and humanely, not knowing, if their actions would be enough. They chose not to be indifferent. Facing brutal wars, approaching climate catastrophy and dealing with the migration crisis, it seems clear that there is no single hero who could solve problems exceeding borders, ethnicities, and religions. We seem to need cooperation like never before.

Sound does not need any interpreter, historian, or anthropologist to thrive. Therefore, the refugee route connecting Poland, Lithuania, and Japan is reflected in a series of chamber music concerts held in Warsaw, Kaunas, Tsuruga, and Tokyo. To bring together different perspectives and sensibilities, both culturally and artistically, the project will feature composers and musicians from all countries involved in the project.

In the oto foundation, we successfully design classical music immersive concerts, thanks to many years of experience in programming the WarszeMuzik festival held in the backyards of the former Warsaw ghetto area. For 10 years now, we have been telling stories of a phantom city buried under gleaming skyscrapers. We intervene with chamber music programs focused on the city’s cross-cultural history, avoid extensive publicity, and focus on collaboration with local communities. Over the years, we succeeded in transforming a small, private initiative into a chamber music site-specific concept festival with composers’ residencies and an outreach to thousands of concert audiences. Drawing from the WarszeMuzik experience, we follow together the unknown route of Polish and European Jews saved by Chiune Sugihara by listening to music that tells stories of remembrance and hope.

Ania Karpowicz