Pierre Degeyter

Pierre Degeyter, born in Ghent, Belgium, in 1848, was a Belgian-French socialist and composer whose musical legacy continues to resonate globally. Degeyter's most enduring contribution is the music for "The Internationale," the iconic anthem of the labor movement. Born to textile worker parents from French Flanders, Degeyter moved to Lille, France, where he worked as a thread maker and taught himself to read and write through workers' evening classes. His composition of "The Internationale" in 1888, set to Eugène Pottier's poem, became a powerful symbol of workers' struggles and socialist ideals. Degeyter's life was marked by his commitment to social justice, and his music remains a testament to his enduring impact on the labor movement. Beyond "The Internationale," Degeyter composed several other songs that reflected his socialist beliefs, including "Communard," "Forward," and "The Triumph of the Russian Revolution." His work continues to inspire and unite people around the world, making Pierre Degeyter a pivotal figure in the history of revolutionary music.