Week 326: “Neighbourhood #1 (Tunnels)” by Arcade Fire

arcade fire funeral

You may not be aware of it, but there’s a very good chance that your city has a sister city somewhere.

The practice of “sistering” or “twinning” cities is centuries old, but was revived shortly after World War II, as a way to promote cross-cultural understanding and international friendships. More importantly, it was a way to acknowledge that the old hostilities were now finished; among the first cities to be sistered were Coventry in the UK and Dresden in Germany- two of the most thoroughly destroyed in the war.

I love the family language used in this experiment: no matter how much our siblings might bug us, they are still family. The whole idea was that the more ties bind you to other cultures, the less likely you will be to want to drop bombs on them.

Over the years, the tradition has continued, although the reasons vary from place to place. Sometimes the purpose is to promote tourism. Sometimes it’s to boost trade. Sometimes it’s simply because two towns have similarly hilarious names.

I think it’s a bit sad that most people don’t know that they have this invisible relationship with people in a faraway country. Over the past few months, with countries bowing out of trade relationships, hatred towards migrants growing, and Olympic athletes being banned from competition, I think international understanding could use a bit of a boost.

So look it up. Find out which city (or cities) yours is twinned with. Write the mayor a letter just to say hi. Remember that the world is just one big neighbourhood.

What makes this a beautiful song:

1. The childlike compassion of the opening lines: “And if the snow buries my neighborhood / And if my parents are crying / Then I’ll dig a tunnel from my window to yours.”

2. The dreamy six-note melody that migrates from piano to guitar to voice at various points.

3. The way the percussion builds (and speeds up just slightly) gives it an urgent sense of purpose.

Recommended listening activity:

Leaving flowers on your neighbour’s doorstep.

Buy it here.