Former French Minister Pens Song About Mediterranean Migrant Crisis

22 March 2019 – byAmine · 2 min read

"Lampedusa" is the title of the song that Najat Vallaud-Belkacem has just written. This song deals with immigration, a subject to which she pays particular attention, as evidenced by this artistic creation. This song is performed by Sarah Kaddour.

The former French Minister of Education, Franco-Moroccan Najat Vallaud-Belkacem, is said to have written the lyrics to the song Lampedusa, performed by Sarah Kaddour, which has exceeded 40,000 views on Youtube. The song deals with migrants crossing the Mediterranean. And it has a political tone.

It should be noted that Lampedusa is the name of the Italian island closest to the Libyan coast, a small island, a landing place for hundreds of thousands of migrants.

The song begins: "Night falls on the shore, the lights are already fading. A drifting drunken boat. Rudder and wooden oars. Not much for it to capsize in the middle of the strait. It was not made for ten. There are thirty crammed in there. Dreaming..." And the chorus: "Lampedusa, for a visa. Lampedusa, so far away there."

Najat Vallaud-Belkacem said to Gala: "I am committed in many ways to this cause, notably within a foundation (...) And I had the pleasure of crossing the path of two committed musicians as well: Adrien Graf and the singer Sarah Kaddour. We decided to say things in music." This title is intended as a support for the SOS Méditerranée association (a European sea rescue association, launched in 2015 to end the drowning of migrants in the Mediterranean) and more generally for migrants. Moreover, the following words can be read at the end of the video: "In support of SOS Méditerranée, our remaining humanity."

Najat Vallaud-Belkacem is currently Deputy General Director for International Studies and Social Innovation at Ipsos.