The International Yehudi Menuhin Foundation (IYMF) was created in 1991 by Yehudi Menuhin in Brussels to realise his humanist dream: giving a voice to the voiceless through the arts. The Foundation serves as the base for the implementation and coordination of many socio-cultural projects and programs, the first of which was the MUS-E programme.
Inclusion
Equality
Solidarity
Reciprocity
Creativity
Diversity
Established in 1991 by Yehudi Menuhin and our Executive Vice Président and co-founder Marianne Poncelet the International Yehudi Menuhin Foundation (IYMF) is registered as a non-profit association by royal decree.
As one of the greatest violinist and humanist of the twentieth century, Yehudi Menuhin always believed that arts and creativity must have a central place in any process of personal and/or societal development.
In 1993 Werner Schmitt (IYMF Vice-President), Marianne Poncelet and Yehudi Menuhin created the MUS-E programme. Since 1993, MUSE-E associations have developed operations in 13 countries involving 61000 children and up to 500 schools. Over the years, we’ve crafted a wealth experience in implementing the use of creating arts in traditional primary schools working particularly with children from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Creation of the International Yehudi Menuhin Foundation by Yehudi Menuhin
Launch of the MUS-E Programme in Europe
Creation of the Assembly of Cultures of Europe (ACE) by Yehudi Menuhin, to give a voice to the voiceless. Its work is complementary to that of sovereign states: alongside vertical concepts within borders, ACE sees cultures as horizontal processes and wants to build bridges between different cultures, a dialogue with institutions, a peaceful coexistence in Europe in mutual knowledge.
ACE’s objectives are :
– Promote European integration of all cultural groups while respecting their diversity and specificity.
– Act as an intermediary between cultural groups and European institutions.
– Develop the cross-fertilisation of cultural groups by multiplying contacts and sharing cultural activities.
– Defend and protect the right to be different from any form of assimilation.
Production of the Voices for Peace concert which leaves its mark on the music scene and establishes the Foundation as a strong cultural and artistic actor producing high-quality concerts around tolerance and intercultural dialogue
Celebration of Yehudi Menuhin’s hundredth anniversary at the Centre for Fine Arts in Brussels
Development of the project “Homelands, places of belonging, a project for and by refugee artists