The Mid-Coast Forum on Foreign Relations, an organization formed in 1983 to facilitate the study and discussion of U.S. foreign policy, will focus on Soft Power with two upcoming programs. Both are free and open to the public.

“There is a second aspect of foreign relations that has been around since the dawn of civilization,” observes Forum president George Look. “That is the ability to influence others without coercion. In these times when the U.S. government is focused almost exclusively on employing our hard power, it is particularly important to think and act on the longer-term soft power elements of foreign policy.” 

To that end, the first program, on Sunday September 7, will examine soft power as an essential element of foreign relations. 

Forum member Michaela Schweitzer-Bluhm, a former State Department Senior Foreign Service Officer and current executive director of The Maine Monitor, will interview two players in the world of soft power: Mohamed Bouabdallah, an advocate for French culture on the global stage and currently Cultural Counselor of France in the United States and Carla Canales, a performer, an academic and most recently Senior Advisor and Envoy for Cultural Exchange at the President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities during the Biden Administration.

Then, on October 30, the public will get to experience the power of culture, connection, and creativity as Silkroad musicians Mike Block, Edward Pérez, and Balla Kouyaté join forces, each bringing their heritage and artistry to perform a concert exclusively for the Mid-Coast community.  

Yo-Yo Ma conceived Silkroad in 1998, recognizing the historical Silk Road as a model for cultural collaboration—for the exchange of ideas, tradition, and innovation across borders. In a groundbreaking experiment, he brought together musicians from the lands of the Silk Road to co-create a musical language founded in difference, thus creating the foundation of Silkroad, both a touring ensemble comprised of world-class musicians from all over the globe and a Boston-based non-profit organization working to make a positive impact across borders through the arts.

The trio will be joined by Silkroad Executive Director, Ben Hartley, who will speak about the organization’s global work and how it uses “soft power” to bring people together across borders.

Meet the Artists:

·       Mike Block (cello)
 – “One of the bravest, most intriguing musicians on the American fusion scene” (Gramophone Magazine), Mike blends classical mastery with folk, bluegrass, and world music traditions in performances full of energy and heart.

·       Edward Pérez (bass)
 – A Grammy award winning bassist and sought after composer, Edward’s work is steeped in jazz, Afro-Peruvian, and Latin American rhythms, giving his music both grounded groove and lyrical elegance.

·       
Balla Kouyaté (balafon) – Hailing from Mali, Balla is a hereditary griot and virtuoso of the balafon, a familial tradition that dates back over 800 years. As a 2019 NEA National Heritage Fellow, Balla’s work carries centuries of history, storytelling, and tradition. 

According to George Look, “These events are designed to focus the attention of the Midcoast community on the positive impact of exposure to different cultures and ideas.” 

The September 7 and October 30 Soft Power programs are free and open to the public and will be held at the Camden Opera House at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m., respectively.  

Registration for Soft Power: An Essential Element of Foreign Relations on September 7 begins on August 28.  Registration for the Silkroad Trio performance on October 30 begins October 16. 

To register go to:

https://www.camdenoperahouse.com/shows or

 http://midcoastforum.org/softpower  

Questions or More Details:   Contact Jo Dondis at  jdondis@gmail.com   or (213) 716-0181