TIMES SINGAPORE, SURABAYA – The Australia Harmony Day will be celebrated on Sunday March 21, 2021, today. There are many ways to commemorate and celebrate this very humanistic values ​​and culture in Australia.

It is not enough to explain that Australia Harmony Day is not only able to support the spirit of every person who lives here that the harmonization that is built in the multicultural relations that Australia has, is very well reflected and represented.

In this case the Australian government becomes a role model, organizer and protector that is consistent not only for residents or citizens of Australia, but also for every Australian resident who comes from the other countries and continents living in Australia.

Thus, the moment of Australia Harmony Day is not only sufficient to remember, but also to be perpetuated, celebrated with monumental things which hopefully can inspire many people to remember Harmony Day as a history that must be preserved, cared for and preserved in all efforts.

It is Maria Stefanie, an Indonesian citizen, who has a special way of capturing the moment of Australia Harmony Day. Maria Stefanie is an independent musician, songwriter and singer from Surabaya (East Java), Indonesia who has been living in Sydney since 2012. In her work as an independent musician, Maria has created several songs with various themes and genres, one of which is the latest single with the theme of peace, diversity, harmony and equal rights entitled 'The Voice of Peace'.

As a resident of Australia who does have a very strong positive impression about inclusiveness, multicultural values ​​of harmony that have been preserved in Australia, Maria is eager to celebrate this Australian-style harmonization by capturing today's moment in the release of her song as high appreciation for the government and citizens of Australia and for everyone who lives the same values ​​that peace is built on recognition and a willingness to co-exist harmoniously in diversity.

This appreciation, according to Maria, is her way of respecting these values ​​as a Australian resident, as well as an Indonesian citizen who has made Australia a part of her life. This single The Voice of Peace is the third single by Maria's original work in addition to her previous works which have been released in online media and radio media in Indonesia.

"The Voice of Peace is inspired by the Black Live Matters Movement in 2020. I created this song as a form of solidarity, as well as my sympathy and empathy for them, whoever has been treated unfairly due to racial differences," stated Maria Stefanie explains why and for what she created this special song promoting global peace.

“In the lyrics of the song, I put devotional values ​​that are reconciling. Through this song, I invite listeners and audiences, all of us to not only sympathize or understand but also dare to empathize, feel their suffering, be there for them, whoever has dreams and hopes about peace. Therefore, I am sure that all of us, whatever our religion, ethnicity, race, we will dare to be even louder to speak out for peace everywhere, especially as Australian citizens and citizens of the world, "explained Maria Stefanie, who has launched the latest Indonesian pop single “Janji Suci” (The Promise) in February 2021 and an Indonesian gospel “MengertiMu” (Understanding You) in October 2020 on various musical platforms and media in Indonesia. 

"Thus, I believe we are even louder in voicing peace everywhere," Maria Stefanie continued, conveying the target focus of this song.

The Voice of Peace for the first time echoed through a music video specifically produced to appear in the World Interfaith Harmony Week event organized by the Universal Peace Federation (UPF), which presented leaders and figures between religions in Indonesia and UPF International for peace which was broadcast online. virtual via the Zoom platform and Youtube channel on March 5, 2021. UPF itself is an international NGO with membership status as the general consultative body of the United Nations (UN) - UN ECOSOC for global peace.

Maria explained due to the official video release schedule had not yet arrived, she specifically produced the first video that was dedicated to UPF as her appreciation for their efforts in building peace, especially in Indonesia and in general at UPF International. Maria reaped various interesting responses in the event both from UOF Leaders and other very touching participants.

Maria Stefanie was again invited to sing the song "The Voice of Peace" at the Asia Pacific Leadership Conference-UPF Asia Pacific, a conference held regularly for leaders for peace from various Asia Pacific countries including Indonesia, which was held on March 13, 2021. Before singing, Maria Stefanie was asked to convey a reflection and message about peace and in this event Maria Stefanie also received a response that was no less touching from the various participants who attended.

"These responses really motivate me to keep trying to create even better, more inspiring works. And then the next exciting journey of this song is when you get the opportunity to sing this song at the Saka New Year 1943/2021 Virtual Nyepi Cultural Stage Celebration (Hindu New Year) on March 20, 2021 organized by the Indonesian Optimism Movement which presents the Minister of Religion for the Advanced Indonesian Cabinet, Deputy Chairperson of the MPR RI, DPD RI, Leaders of Religious Community Institutions in Indonesia, Government Representatives, National Art and Culture Figures and supported by more than 62 Interfaith, Cultural, Creative, Peace Organizations and many more to celebrate religious solidarity and diversity with the theme Collaboration In Harmony Towards Advanced Indonesia."

“I am very proud as an Indonesian citizen domiciled in Australia who was given the opportunity to jointly contribute to this Nyepi Cultural Stage 2021. In the interview before my song was sung, I also conveyed my feeling and spirit of optimism that collaboration in our diversity must be maintained, must not be eliminated. I feel that the song The Voice of Peace, which I composed and sang, has the opportunity to share in voicing peace, equality, justice and unity in the Bhineka Tunggal Ika Frame, which is unity in diversity," Maria explained as her impression of the event.

Furthermore, according to Maria, the values ​​of peace and harmony that have been celebrated in Australia Harmony Day are very relevant to the theme, song lyrics and messages she wants to convey through 'The Voice of Peace'. According to Maria, today, she is eager to capture the moment of Australia Harmony Day through the release of her song to convey that music is always capable of being a glue, a unifier as well as a very strong reminder for peaceful coexistence. My song lyrics also convey this, harmonization in togetherness," said Maria, who had also been a volunteer at the United Nations Association Australia (UNAA) - New South Wales, NSW division in 2015-2016 and Australia Indonesia Youth Association (AIYA) in 2018 - 2019. 

"In the Official Video of The Voice of Peace, which is released on March 21st, we will all be able to witness a representation of the harmony of togetherness in multicultural differences in Australia. Every talent in the video is different race and culture, but the sincerity of their hearts really inspires me. My hope is that 'The Voice of Peace' will not only become a song or music alone, but also become living values ​​that have a permanent impact. It becomes a spirit which inspires and moves everyone to dare to express the values ​​of peace and love - that is complete and true which underlies that peace itself sincerely and can be started from simple things, with what is in us, with all our hearts," stated Maria Stefanie, who will launch the song The Voice of Peace more widely today through Maria Stefanie Official Youtube Channel at: https://youtube.com/channel/UCItIL92PnZokGEo9Gj0J28g and the official Instagram social media account: @mariastefaniemusic