Rising Stars of UNICEF: Halle, Henri, and Katharina Perform Powerful Anti-War Song

In an inspiring journey from school rehearsals to an international platform, students Halle, Henri, and Katharina, who began honing their voices around the ISH piano under the guidance of their music teacher, have now become the "Voices of UNICEF."

Three years after their first performances, these young talents have released a moving rendition of "What is War For?"—the English version of Udo Lindenberg's iconic 1981 anti-war song. The new version, launched on November 1, 2024, gives fresh, heartfelt urgency to Lindenberg’s original message.

The song presents a striking contrast between the innocence of children and the complex cruelties of adult conflicts. It captures the profound, unanswered questions that children pose about the senselessness of war, offering a raw and emotional plea for greater protection of children caught in global conflicts. "How loudly do children have to scream before they are heard? No child wants war! We must not get used to horror," says Udo Lindenberg, a UNICEF Ambassador since 2001. "The idea was to re-record What is War For? with Halle, Henri, and Katharina, giving this message to the world."

With their voices now reaching an international audience, Halle, Henri, and Katharina hope to inspire change, reminding the world of the devastating impact war has on the youngest and most vulnerable among us.