It’s a year on since our final performance of DESERT POET in London.
We embarked on the journey several years earlier, with the seed of an idea, a quest, a dream….Taking inspiration from the ancient Arab poetry festivals and oral poetry competitions, DESERT POET gradually came to life. Conceived by Peter Stürm who drew on his own experiences of living in the Middle East for over eight years. The pieces of the mosaic fell into place once the real ‘desert poets’ arrived – Imru’ Al-Qays the 6th century pre-Islamic prince and poet, and Adnan Al-Sayegh, Iraqi war poet living in London since 2006, who we were honoured to work with – fusing their lines and lives into the odyssey.
DESERT POET offered a way to explore in dramatic form urgent issues of our times, the search for identity, migration, exile and uprootedness. The desert as a metaphor was the setting to explore the drama of existence in all its joy and pain, to shift perceptions and open windows for East and West. 2023 also marked the 20th anniversary of the invasion of Iraq. It was a significant moment to present extraordinary voices of the region – Imru’ Al-Qays’ Master poem was delivered in Arabic by the Goddess Manāt, played by Iraqi actress Hadeel Kamil.
Just three weeks before rehearsals began the horrific events of last October took place. Sadly the production became even more resonant. In these challenging times, art and imagination play a crucial role in bringing empathy, humanity and mutual understanding. In essence – we are all together on this beautiful stage which is the world. Our thoughts are with all those who have suffered and continue to suffer immense loss.
“How wonderful the dream I dreamt
At the shrine of Al-Qays
Beyond the stars to the navel of my heart
I found enlightenment
Through poetry and love!”
3rd December 2024