The following is a translation of Pakistani poet Faiz Ahmad Faiz’ 1974 poem Dhaka say wapsi par (On Return from Dhaka). He wrote it at the end of the civil war between East and West Pakistan that resulted in the creation of Bangladesh; lamenting that a people once so close are now divided. The poem is translated into English by the Kashmiri-American poet, Agha Shahid Ali:
On Return from Dhaka
After those many encounters, that easy intimacy, we are strangers now–
After how many meetings will we be that close again?
When will we again see a spring of unstained green?
After how many monsoons will the blood be washed from the branches?
So relentless was the end of love, so heartless –
After the nights of tenderness, the dawns were pitiless, so pitiless.
And so crushed was the heart that though it wished it found no chance –
after the entreaties, after the despair — for us to quarrel once again as old friends.
Faiz, what you’d gone to say, ready to offer everything, even your life –
those healing words remained unspoken after all else had been said.
The famous Pakistani singer, Nayarra Noor sings the poem below:
Hamro Team cast at the show's launch
More countries are joining The Team!
In addition to the Burundi Team and the Team of Sierra Leone, Nepal’s much-anticipated iteration of The Team, Hamro Team begins broadcasting TONIGHT!
The series follows a young female coach and as she attempts to make a team of disparate players from all across Nepal:
Hamro Team held a launch event with great fanfare this Tuesday, with over 350 people attending. The Nepali press and facebook pages are buzzing with excitement about the television series. The excitement is due in no small part to the show’s director, Bhusan Dahal, one of Nepal’s premier directors. He shot a promo of the series that was introduced at the launch by the cast themselves, dribbling the team football through the audience to score a goal upon reaching the stage.
Republica has great coverage of the series and the launch:
“Hamro Team” is a story written by Nepali writers under Search for Common Ground Nepal, and is directed by Bhushan Dahal. Produced by AB Pictures Pvt. Ltd, the casting of Hamro Team is peppered with a slew of experienced actors as well as those making their debuts.
The film is made with an international theme and emphasizes on instilling teamwork, confidence, leadership, and determination among the youth.
The film reflects on how people can together achieve their goals as a team and as individuals. All it takes is the courage to dream and the determination to defy all odds to achieve it.
The theme of the film is different from those of other Nepali TV shows, and combines social and cultural issues.
Read the rest of the article here.
And be sure to check out Hamro Team‘s great website, for more videos and information about this highly-awaited show!
Last week, SCFG hosted a “Brown Bag” presentation by Ahlam, a Bahraini activist currently completing a fellowship in the US. As part of her fellowship, Ahlam has been working with SFCG’s Partners in Humanity program. She spoke about the recent protest movement in Bahrain, in which she took an active role, and described the situation facing her country.
Bahrain is a small island state located near the western shores of the Persian Gulf. It is a constitutional monarchy ruled over by the Al Khalifa royal Family . Formerly an emirate, Bahrain was declared a kingdom in 2002. The country has a Shia Muslim majority of 70% and Sunni Muslim minority of 30%. However, the royal family is Sunni and there is much discrimination against Shias. For example, in an attempt to change demographics before the formation of parliament, Bahraini passports were given to Sunni foreigners. read more…
Search for Common Ground’s pioneering soap opera series, The Team, will be coming next to Burundi! This month marks the launch of campaign activities to raise awareness of the show and its themes. The campaign is targeting Burundian youth in particular, encouraging them to live in harmony with diverse groups of people and to recognize and challenge political manipulation, which has been an issue in the country since the civil war in the 1990s and the subsequent transition to democracy. The campaign’s slogan is: Rwaruka, murashaka Uburundi burangwamwo amahoro? Irinde ibibacanishamwo! Youth, do you want a peaceful Burundi? Avoid manipulations!
The Team is a SFCG project that combines the global appeal of football with the soap opera format in order to help transform social attitudes and reduce violent behavior in countries dealing with deeply entrenched conflicts. The series airs on television and radio in more than sixteen African, Asian, and Middle Eastern countries. . Every production of The Team centers around members of a football team who must overcome their differences—whether cultural, ethnic, religious, tribal, racial or socio-economic—in order to work together and be successful.
The Team rings true for viewers, given that all of the series are created and produced locally. Actors and scriptwriters, many of whom have experienced violent conflict and divisions firsthand, are drawn from local populations. Local production houses and technicians take the lead, with additional technical assistance and support from Common Ground Productions.
The Burundian version of The Team is entitled Intamenwa! (“The Indivisibles!”) to be broadcast on radio. The radio series will be broadcast twice-weekly on some of the country’s most popular radio stations: Radio Isanganiro, RTNB, Rema and Bonesha . The show revolves around two boys, Muravyo and Doddy, from completely different social backgrounds. Muravyo is from a very poor family and has a difficult life but is an exceptionally talented football player. Doddy comes from a wealthy family, likes going out and does not have to worry about his future. Nevertheless they play on the same football team and face many obstacles: money, love, manipulation, and politics.
Those of you in Burundi can listen to the show here:
Ø Rema FM : Monday and Thursday at 19H30 and 19H 45
Ø Radio Isanganiro : Thursday and Sunday at 20H30 and 20H 45
Ø Radio Télévision Nationale du Burundi: Thursday and Sunday at 20H30 and 20H 45
Ø Radio Bonesha : Tuesday and Wednesday at Mardi 20H05 and 20H20
Because politicians are responsible for ensuring peace for the next generation, SFCG will provide them with a platform to speak to the nation. They will be asked to send out messages of peace on radio and television. The campaign will also provide an opportunity for youth from the provinces of Bujumbura, Bujumbura Mairie and Bubanza to display their musical talents, spreading messages of peace, tolerance and cohabitation. The campaign will conclude with a festival in the Burundian capital of Bujumbura.
Learn More about our Program in Burundi or about The Team series!
You can also check out SFCG Burundi on Facebook
Inter-ethnic Reconciliation in Bosnia: Mladic’s arrest is just the beginning
A street vendor shows a Serbian newspaper with the headlines about Ratko Mladić's arrest. (Alexa Stankovic/AFP/Getty Images)
Last week’s arrest of Bosnian Serb General Ratko Mladic and his ongoing trial on charges of genocide and crimes against humanity seems like a good opportunity to bring closure to the victims of the 1992-1995 Bosnian War. However, according to a recent Reuters article, while Mladic’s trial may expose the truth about the war in Bosnia, reconciliation of the country’s divided people is still a long way off. read more…
Search for Common Ground started our soap opera series The Team in Kenya, in the aftermath of the 2008 post-election violence. Since then it has grown to be a multi-nation phenomenon, entertaining and engaging people across the globe. This month, you have a chance to see the process behind that first show in Kenya.
Canadian filmmaker, Patrick Reed, follows our work in Kenya with a new documentary, aptly named The Team. The film speaks with cast members, writers and producers to understand what the production means to each of them and how a show can change attitudes and behaviors.
The Team has already screened to acclaim at international film festivals and those of you on the Eastern seaboard can enjoy it at the Human Rights Watch Film Festival in New York or at The Silverdocs Documentary Film Festival in Silver Spring, MD. Click the links below for tickets and more information!
Film Society of Lincoln Center Walter Reade Theater
Tuesday, June 21, 6:30pm
Wednesday, June 22, 9:00pm
Thursday, June 23, 4:00pm
AFI/Discover Channel Silverdocs Documentary Film Festival
AFI Silver Theatre
Saturday, June 25, 3:00pm
Don’t Miss Out! Get your tickets today!
