Greenpeace holds historic performance by pianist Ludovico Einaudi on Arctic Ocean

Ludovico Einaudi - Through his music, acclaimed Italian composer and pianist Ludovico Einaudi has added his voice to those of eight million people from across the world demanding protection for the Arctic. Einaudi performed one of his own compositions on a floating platform in the middle of the Ocean, against the backdrop of the Wahlenbergbreen glacier (in Svalbard, Norway). The famous musician travelled on board Greenpeace ship Arctic Sunrise on the eve of a significant event for the future of the Arctic: this week's meeting of the OSPAR Commission, which could secure the first protected area in Arctic international waters. In the middle of the icy waters, Einaudi played the composition Elegy for the Arctic, inspired on the Arctic beauty and the threats it's facing. In view of the absence of sea ice in the place where Einaudi's performance was due to be held, owing to its spectacular retreat caused by the effects of climate change, the organisation built a 2.6 x 10 metre artificial iceberg, made from more than 300 triangles of wood stuck together and weighing a total of nearly two tonnes. A grand piano was then placed on top of the platform. On it, Greenpeace placed the grand piano which travelled from the factory in Germany to the Arctic in the hold of the Arctic Sunrise. "Being here has been a great experience. I could see the purity and fragility of this area with my own eyes and interpret a song I wrote to be played in the best stage in the world", said Ludovico Einaudi from the Arctic Sunrise. "It is important that we understand the importance of the Arctic, stop the process of destruction and protect it." Today marks the start of an important event for Arctic protection. From today until 24 June, Tenerife (Spain) is the setting for the OSPAR Commission meeting. OSPAR is the organisation that governs international cooperation for the protection of the marine environment in the North-East Atlantic. At the meeting, OSPAR has to make a decision on setting up a protected area at Wahlenbergbreen Glacier - Svalbard, Norway - Monday 20th June 2016 (1 Picture)