Storytelling Basecamp

The event started with remarks from Anila Noor, NWC's Founder and Managing Director, as well as Nurhidayah Hassan, Partnership Lead explaining the aims of the project and the training process, as well as Jeanne van Heeswijk introducing BAK Basecamp and their work. 

 

The opening speech was given by Professor Halleh Ghorashi, diversity and integration scholar, who talked about how stigma and stereotypes shaped her own view of herself when she was viewed solely as an 'oppressed woman from Iran', and as a refugee. These imaginaries made it hard to remember for her who she was and what her story was. She highlighted how crucial it is that people with a migration background keep sharing their stories with everyone: with the audience that night, but also with policymakers and decision-makers.

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"Some stories open doors, some close them. Mine just keeps knocking awkwardly.

A story about starting over, losing things and finding meaning in the pockets you forget to check."

The Storytelling performances started with Irmak Ertas' story - unfortunately due to a medical issue, she was not able to perform on stage, but she recorded her story and made a moving video that captured the audience's hearts right from the beginning.

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"The Necklace is a story of exile, resilience and reneval."

Kateryna Serdiuk, Ukrainian storyteller and policy analyst showed the audience her family's history, dating back to her grandparents and what they had to endure throughout their lives. As a Ukrainian refugee herself, Kateryna's life was suddenly upside down as well once the full-scale Russian agression started and she found herself fleeing with her family. But Kateryna is not one to give up, and she keeps fighting for a better life.

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"I am one of the people you may know. I am a refugee and I have a three-dimensional story to tell."

In Timo's story, we followed him through three different lives. His story was sparkled with memories of grandparents in Syria, and moments of contemplation that stem from having had to move to a different country and start over entirely.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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After Timo's story, a musical interlude followed from Daniel Al-Laham, who sang a song in Arabic.

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"...Like every plant that finds water, people can only truly flourish when they are free. Sometimes, we need water before roots, before belonging..."

Mustafa Dosdemir's story talked about lavender and grapevine - how planting them and caring for them made him realize not only the power of water for life, but also the notion that no matter where you're from, if you love a place, you can flourish there.

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"The Sound of Shoes is a story about womanhood, about mothers and about daring to be yourself."

Adele Tamam took to the stage in high heels, which were central to her story. She told the audience about her childhood and growing up in Yemen, and the kind of shoes she found in her mother's closet. She made everyone think about their shoes differently.

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"Behind every refugee story lies a truth too often ignored by populist politicians — this time, I’m reclaiming mine by sharing one of the reasons that led me to seek asylum."

Huseyin Ali Kudret's story started with a video of them getting arrested at a protest in Turkey when they were 17. Huseyin proceeded to explain what the aftermath of that action was, and how some of their colleagues are still imprisoned for protesting. In the video, we see Huseyin being put on the bus, and thus being unable to finish their chant. Many years had to pass, but on the 1st of November, Huseyin finished their chant on stage. 

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Stacey Nyambura, a gifted singer closed the performances of the evening with the song 'Stand up' by Cynthia Erivo. With her moving performance, she made everyone stand up and sing along with her. 

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The event finished with closing remarsk from Anila Noor, and the storytellers and NWC Team expressing their gratitude to Kourara Saliba, Storytelling Trainer for the project. ​

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