Balcony socializing is now a worldwide phenomenon

If there’s one thing we’ve learned about humans throughout our millions of years on Earth, its that we find ways to survive. Amidst the devastating news about the coronavirus, about how it’s wreaking havoc on people’s lives, pushing healthcare systems to their limits, and bringing countries to their knees, are stories of people thriving even while in self-isolation. These are the people who choose to continue living despite the grim circumstances around them.

When forced to self-isolate and maintain distance from other people, humans who crave social interaction get creative. While some form online communities meeting in virtual pubs and using applications to organize karaoke nights, others are taking socialization to their balconies.

All over the world, we see people stepping out of their homes, climbing onto their verandas to interact with neighbors and friends who are also in self-isolation. This is how we connect despite distances, this is how we show this wretched virus that humans will live through this because we have each other. It may have driven us six feet away from each other at the very least, it may have forced us indoors but we will always find a way just like these beautiful displays of solidarity, of perseverance, of community in balconies across the globe.

Balcony Music To Heal the Soul

This virus may have shut down concert halls and opera houses but for some of these artists, the show must go on. In Italy, tenor Maurizio Marchini climbed on his balcony to serenade his neighborhood in Florence. He performed a beautiful rendition of “Nessun Dorma” which was both poignant and powerful. He did this for a few more days singing others like "A Furtiva Lagrima" and "Caruso" which he dedicated to his country and the world.

Meanwhile in Spain this duo who lives in separate apartments performed an impromptu duet in their balconies. Their rendition of Celine Dion’s “My Heart Will Go On” is so heartwarming that people from across the building came out of their apartments to watch the performance. You could hear them cheering and applauding the two artists in the video.

In France, French tenor singer Stephane Sénéchal, has been singing every night to his neighbors in Paris. He dedicates his performances to people important to him and offers his daily performances to the people of France in the hopes that it would help ease their loneliness.

In Budapest, where all concerts and musical performances have been canceled, musician and composer Adam Moser has brought his concert to his balcony. Every day at 5 pm Adam climbs on his balcony to play his accordion for people in his side of Hungary.

Bringing the Party to the Balcony

Musician Ran Yehoshua led an impromptu balcony sing-a-long from his balcony in Jerusalem. Armed with his guitar, a microphone, and amplifier, Ran got everyone out of their apartments and into their balconies to sing along. The entire neighborhood sing-a-long concert lasted for 50 minutes and included around 120 neighbors.

Sure, Miami beaches and bars are now empty, but that doesn’t mean the partying has to stop too, no, not in Miami. After Ultra Music Fest 2020 got canceled DJs in party central hauled their equipment out to throw rave parties from their balconies. The blinding strobe lights and loud EDM (electro dance music) made the apartment buildings look like giant outdoor clubs

Down under, people from a building in Richmond Australia have found a way to socialize from a distance.  They’re throwing parties from their balconies with some waiving their phones others their umbrellas while dancing in their balconies as a means to cope with the traumatic events during this pandemic.

Group Exercise From a Distance

This German fitness trainer has found a way to host exercise classes while on self-isolation since sports facilities in Germany are now closed. Pato Cervantes,  has been offering free workout sessions daily from a parking lot in his neighborhood in Hamburg. Residents in the surrounding building come out to their balconies to join their neighbors.

Seniors on the other hand, who are believed to be the most vulnerable to the virus, are now getting their dose of exercise also from their balconies. Zumba instructor, Hélène Antidote, brought seniors from a senior residence in Canada out onto their balconies to get some sun. The seniors who have been stuck in their suites and haven’t seen each other got the chance to socialize while keeping their distance from each other.

Who knew balconies aren’t just for planting tomatoes and keeping birds. With the worldwide call to stay home to curb the spread of the virus people are coming up with more creative ways to socialize and feel connected. Balconies are turning into clubs, fitness gyms, karaoke bars, concert halls and everything else people can think of to ease their loneliness and longing for socialization.  We’re excited to see which part of the house they are going to transform next.