La Danza Poetica #63 Rim Banna : Voice of Resistance

A special edition of La Danza Poetica dedicated to the life and work of Rim Banna, the poet, singer, and activist who left this world in March. A tribute to her extraordinary example, and to the power of poetry and music to amplify the stories and the struggle of Palestine to the world. I talk with with ScMoCha of Checkpoint 303 about working on Rim’s final album, her final creative act of resistance in the face of injustice and occupation in all their forms. Also featuring poetry from sons and daughters of Palestine, plus a recent collaboration between Brian Eno and Samir Joubran.

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La Danza Poetica #62 The Poem of the Truth

A mix of sublime, poetic music and word from Morocco, Tunisia, Syria. Poetry and music are inextricably intertwined, in a constant dance, in music, language and rhythm, and life. Sukitoa o Namau’s field recordings from and around Meknés, Morocco, form the canvas on which this whole mix has been painted. Also featuring Moroccan slam poet Mustapha Slameur, very conscious and complex folktronics / electronics from Tunisia’s Ghoula and NURI, the France/Morocco collaboration of Titi Robin and Mehdi Nassouli, Syria’s Muudra paying tribute to Vîyan Peyman, and reworking Emel Mathlouthi’s great song ‘Layem’, DJ Tudo connecting Morocco with Brazil, plus, 'honoured ghost' Paul Bowles' sweet and sad little poems, and classic recordings from Morocco released by the Dust to Digital project.

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La Danza Poetica #35 La Poésie Chantée

Sung poetry, the oral tradition, passed down from generation to generation, continuing today, no break in the chain…

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La Danza Poetica #23 Gaza Calling

In August 2008 the great poet Mahmoud Darwish left forever. But his voice is still here, more heartbreaking than ever. Now I ask myself to stop, turn off the newsfeed, clear my mind of prejudice, and listen. This is a mix of the amazing diversity of poetic expression from Palestine and the diaspora. 

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La Danza Poetica #8 Creative Resistance: Arab Voices

Music and poetry - creative acts of resistance. Voices from the revolution of feeling. Take your heart and mind to Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, Egypt, Tunisia, Iraq, Iran. This month's show crossed political and cultural borders and boundaries, as well as centuries. From medieval Sufi poetry and folk song, traditional Arabic revolutionary poetry, through modern fusions of jazz and electronics, today's hip hop underground, and poetic diaspora. Voices that emerged in the Arab Spring, enlightening our world with calls for peace and justice.

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