GLOBAL LISTENING LIVES - THE SOUND OF HOME
'The Sound of Home', The radio documentary
As over 22 million people globally, are forced to seek asylum and to leave their country of origin and cross an international border, the world is facing its biggest displacement crisis since before the Second World War. In this programme, Kay Goodridge, artist and Nick Skelton, producer of Clubglobal world music programme, have spoken to refugees from Syria and Iraq, about how music has interwoven with various parts of their lives, before, during and after their displacement. In 'The Sound of Home', we ask them about their journeys from their homeland, about their lives now, what keeps their hopes up, and what can transport them back home in their minds. Sometimes they talk of a memory, sometimes a photograph, and sometimes the music on their mobile phones that has accompanied them throughout their lives. They talk about the circumstances that forced them to leave their countries and families behind, about their attempts to fight against oppressive regimes, how they had to run with their children and about the times they spent in refugee camps and makeshift shelters on the way. Sometimes happiness surfaces in unexpected circumstances as they speak openly from the heart. Their generosity of spirit comes through and guides the listener through their musical journeys. One of the most tragic and possibly misrepresented events in the world are issues relating to migration and the plight of refugees from many parts of the world. In this project we aim to make a series of radio programmes to be broadcast on radio stations including Cambridge 105 radio, by meeting with and interviewing refugee women and their families about their journeys from their countries of origin to the UK. The emphasis of the interviews was specifically asking them about the music that was important to them throughout their lives and journeys. By involving refugee organisations the UK we have made connections with people who have been willing to be part of this project and who have said that they have benefited from talking about their experiences. We invited people who are now living in the UK and who have come from other lands, sometimes as refugees, as survivors of religious or political oppression, to have a voice and to tell their individual stories and personal journeys, illustrated through music that has been significant to them throughout their lives. We believe that by encouraging people from different cultures, religions and backgrounds to listen to each other, that some of the fear, misinformation and negative thoughts that we learn about people who are different from ourselves can be overcome and that as a result, understanding and trust in the community can grow. Funded by 'Awards For All'.