Make a Contribution

In a humble gesture of reparations for the destruction and instability that has resulted from the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, I invite members of the public—especially those from countries that backed the invasion—to join me in supporting Iraqi musicians who play on, despite.

I am specifically raising funds for the transformative work of maestro Karim Wasfi, known for his impromptu cello performances at sites of bombings in Iraq. His Peace Through Art Foundation runs educational, empowering and healing music programs for youth and internally displaced refugees in Iraq. All contributions to this Go Fund Me will be transferred to maestro Wasfi, the director of Peace Through Art. 

I was humbled to have Maestro Wasfi collaborate with me on my recent project Poetry Despite/Music Despite (Eternal War Requiem) hosted at the BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art in February 2019 and on display until June 2019.  This Go Fund Me campaign is a key part of this project.

Please join me in supporting maestro Wasfi and the music of those who continue to play on, despite.

     —Aaron Hughes

Thank You for Your Contribution (Updated 12/11/2019)

The Poetry Poetry Despite/Music Despite (Eternal War Requiem) LP record was officially released 12/11/2019 and you can now purchase a record for here.

Starting December 11, 2019, the original thank you gifts are no longer available. Alternatively, the first 100 people who make contributions of $100 or more, will receive a copy of the Poetry Despite/Music Despite (Eternal War Requiem) LP record.

PLEASE NOTE: To receive your special thank you gift, please leave your name and full shipping address in the comments section on the donation page (you may choose to make your information private—otherwise it will be made public on our Go Fund Me site). As Go Fund Me keeps all donor information confidential, if you do not leave your shipping information in the comments section there will be no way for us to send you your gift.