Sign Language Rap Artist Signmark performs at the Unesco Youth Forum
One of the major events of the on-going 8th Unesco Youth Forum is a live performance by the ground-breaking Finnish rap artist Signmark on Tuesday 29 October.
Signmark (Marko Vuoriheimo) is the first deaf in the world to get a record deal with an international music label. When he was young, he translated Christmas carols to sign language so his whole family could sing them together. Later Signmark fell for rap music, both because of the beat and the possibility to talk about important issues through the music.
Ignoring those who had doubted him, Signmark released the world's first sign language hip-hop DVD in 2006 with the help of his friends and a large group of volunteers. Since 2010, he has been the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland's special representative for promoting the rights of people with disabilities.
Through his performances, Signmark has highlighted the rights of disabled people at the UN General Assembly in New York and the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, amongst many others, and has performed in 33 countries, so far. He has also won the Outstanding Young Person of the World prize in 2009.
Signmark's live shows are always bilingual: the songs are performed with International Sign Language and spoken English. He spreads his message over strong beats where hard, low frequencies and bass are playing a crucial part in his performance. These elements help him adapt to the rhythm as he proves that music is more than what you can hear.
With his music and positive approach, Signmark's mission is to change attitudes towards the deaf. Signmark feels that society should not treat the deaf as handicapped people, but as a linguistic minority with their own culture, community, history and heritage. In his view, appreciating diversity is exceedingly important in today's increasingly multicultural world.
His live performance at the 8th Unesco Youth Forum is a symbol of hope for young people from minority groups all over the world, and promises to be energetic, inspiring and unforgettable.
Source and more information: http://www.signmark.biz/site/en/bio