A British Couple Is Making a Difference One Love Song At a Time | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
News

A British Couple Is Making a Difference One Love Song At a Time

Find out how a Bristol couple is changing the world with love songs.

10
A British Couple Is Making a Difference One Love Song At a Time

A couple from Bristol, UK, is making this world a better place one love song at a time. Over the last 15 months, Gemma Paintin and James Stenhouse have embarked on a journey with their motorhome, which goes by the name of Wohnnie.

Gemma and James have been traveling all across Europe intending to unite people through the power of music.

How do they go about doing this?

Well, it's quite simple. They park Wohnnie in a busy area, such as a festival or market, and put up a banner that says "Do you know a love song?" and wait for people to sing and record an impromptu love song in their van. So far they have traveled across 33 different countries and have recorded over 900 love songs.

Why did the couple decide to start this project, called Oh Europa, in the first place?

"We were thinking of different ways of opening conversations with people about what Europe means and what it is to be European, and we thought, 'What if we invite people to sing a love song instead?'" Paintin told Positive News. She said, "Some say 'oh, no, I can't sing,' but many say 'yes' right away. It's as if they were expecting it, as if they were primed to do it all of their lives."

Oh Europa's soundtrack is nothing short of being diverse. It has a bit of traditional Greek tunes, Europop hits, Édith Piaf, and a whole lot more. Though the stylistic sounds of the love songs vary, some are songs about hope, while others are songs of heartbreak, they all have one thing in common — they're all an expression of love.

These love songs are broadcasted 24/7 from a network of "beacons" that are located on the borders and edge-spaces all across Europe and are audible by anyone who visits the location.

By situating these love song only stations all across Europe, the couple hopes to inspire others to think about how they share their space in Europe.

Paintin reveals that she is always amazed at how willing people are in participating in the project. According to Positive News, this project has revitalized the couple's hope in the world around them. Paintin expresses that the media constantly shows a negative portrayal of this world and makes it seem like the majority of the population is bad. However, Paintain says: "We've been meeting people every day and they have been singing love songs to us. It has restored our faith in them and made us feel hopeful. Really, it's a little bit of magic to have someone sing you a love song."

What Paintin and Stenhouse are doing is remarkable and inspiring. When we watch the news, we hear of robberies, murders, missing children, and other terrifying events that remind us about the horrors that happen every day. We are so accustomed to the negativity that when we see a spark of positivity, we are almost taken aback. It is nice to be reminded that there is plenty of kindness, light, and positivity thriving in this world each day. Paintin and Stenhouse are changing the world in their own unique way.

I believe that everyone should take the initiative in making a difference in this world, whether it be through traveling, through making music, or even through writing.

We all have the power to make a positive change in this world, no matter how small or big the outcome may be. Having a positive impact on one person is more than enough because all that matters is that you made a difference. It is time that we all put in the effort into making this world a better place.

For more information regarding Oh Europa, visit their official website here.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Disney magic for New Year!

The "Happiest Place on Earth" has a lot of characters with some pretty great advice.

3608
Disney magic kingdom castle on new years
StableDiffusion

Disney movies are well known and very popular in today's world. Although many people appreciate the plot and the storyline, not many people appreciate the wisdom these characters possess. Every Disney movie has unique advice that can be applied to everyday life. Here are 11 Disney quotes to help start your New Year off right:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

40 Gift Ideas for the Indecisive

It's a time of love, family, memory-making, and gift-giving. But also a time of stressing over the perfect gift.

118119
Christmas gifts around a tree
StableDiffusion

It's officially December. There is less than a month of 2024, and I still feel like yesterday was summer. Now comes the merriest time of the year, the Christmas season.

Everyone has been waiting for this time of year since mid-October (which is way too early, in my opinion) or before. It's a time of love, family, memory-making, and gift-giving. A lot of times when I ask friends and family what they want, I get a lot of "I don't know" or "I don't care."

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Bucket List To Live In The Now

Find excitement in your life and start exploring wherever you are right here, right now.

399
mu bucket list

I was sitting at my cubicle, now that I am an adult, looking at the rain pouring down on the windowsill, bumming on life, wishing for the rain to just stop for a full day.

There are moments where we count down the hours until work is over and how many more days till the weekend, and this many weeks until something exciting. Or something like that? Well, I was bumming because my next day off from work is not until Memorial Day weekend, which is not until the end of May. And since this is my first year out of college being a “real person,” I am totally missing the winter, spring and summer breaks. I am sure all of us have felt this way even if just for a hot minute…

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

11 Ways To Survive Finals As Told By Leslie Knope

Because you know you're going to be stressed out, and Leslie knows exactly how to survive.

317
Everything hurts and I'm dying

So finals are on their way. That's right everybody, finals are about to start.

But hey, don't panic. Start getting your affairs in order and prepare for a week of hell. Here's a few things Leslie Knope wants you to do to make your finals week just a little bit less stressful:

Keep Reading...Show less
Kent State University
Great Value Colleges

If you go to or went to Kent State, then more than likely you have done or will do some of these things.

1. You’ve slipped and fallen on the ice at least once.

The winters at Kent are brutal, and while the heated sidewalks and some great snow boots are always a help, there’s no chance you won’t bust it on the ice at least once in your four plus years at school.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments