Refugee Week 2024
In collaboration with Ariana Abawe
Supported by the Arts Council England, 'Develop Your Own Creative Practice'
Voices from Afghanistan is an audio documentary that captures the stories of different displaced Afghans across the world. Hear the accounts of four Afghan women – a judge, a yoga instructor, a fashion designer, an artist – and one Afghan man who is a refugee rights campaigner, as they reflect on their lives under the Taliban regime, their experiences of displacement, and their hopes and fears for the future of their homeland.
As part of Refugee Week 2024, I presented the documentary at Libreria Bookshop as an immersive evening of audio storytelling, live music and poetry and produced a two hour radio show for Worldwide FM
For the event, in response to the theme ‘Our Home’, I invited guests to experience Mehman Nawazi, the tradition of hospitality defined by warmth and generosity towards guests. Tea and Afghan treats were be prepared by Ariana's mother Freba, the owner of Kulcha Kafe. Featuring poetry & performance by Meral Alizada and live Afghan folk music by Yusuf and Ariz Mahmoud.
You can listen to the full Worldwide FM radio show here
Also featuring interviews with Afghan opera singer Mashal Amarn, rubab player Milad Yousofi and a selection of Afghan folk music and recordings from the event.
For our Refugee Week programme we worked with Magdalena Moursy to present a special showcase of Voices from Afghanistan – an audio feature that shares different stories from Afghans around the world. It's a beautiful project that the audience found full of insight and feeling, bringing aspects of Afghan experience and culture that are rarely experienced by most people in the UK. Magdalena is a highly original, thoughtful and creative curator and producer who was an absolute pleasure to work with. Her focus in this project was always on giving space and platforms for authentic stories and experiences and to dig deep into the creative process. She, like us, also has a strong focus on joy and the way that arts and culture can connect across communities.
Tom Green, Senior Producer, Counterpoints Arts
