Reading the Book of Freedom

Author - Hilary Hughes, 16th August 2021

Between 2000 and 2008 we at B arts worked with refugees in N Staffs., well worked, we sang, danced, ate cried and ate some more. Many of the young men were from Afghanistan, and we listened to their stories and it seemed like a good idea to make a show, to tour to schools, to help people, children, to understand why refugees were coming to Stoke. The show “Reading the Book of Freedom” was devised with many different people from many different countries, but the stories of loss, fear and hope had a striking similarity.  People from the UK, Iran, Iraq, Liberia, Afghanistan performed “Reading the Book of Freedom”, it feels like it might be time to tour this show again?

“We want you (children) to look at us like you would look at your parents, like your parents, not like strangers. To live together, that would make us happy.”

Shamal, devising session

Many of those, mostly young men, some unaccompanied minors meaning they were under 18 with no family, found a safe place in quiet Stoke, found a job, made a family, built a life here. I see them in the city, on Facebook, living lives so precious, raising their daughters and sons, earning money to support family in distant places.

And now I have no idea what, the now 30 plus yr olds must be feeling about their country, their sisters, nieces, those who live in Afghanistan. Anger, sorrow, confusion, hopelessness or is that just me?

Listening to Afghan voices on the radio, a young woman was asked what can people do who are listening now, her answer campaign. Campaign so that this government will change its stance on refugees. Campaign so that this government will support Afghanistan and not leave it to its’ fate, a fate that we as a country have had a hand in since the 1800’s. I have a feeling of dread that the book of freedom is now closed.

 So if you like to campaign here are a couple of place to start:

Fight the Anti-refugee Bill www.refugee-action.org.uk/campaigns

Amnesty International www.amnesty.org/en/what-we-do/refugees-asylum-seekers-and-migrants

refugeecouncil.org.uk/get-involved/campaign-with-us

 Or if you’d like to know more about our work, send us a message to get hold of our book, Pioneers, some unanswered questions, about our work with refugees.

 Or find an Afghan restaurant and support them.