A Re-Imagine open forum to explore the underlying themes of The Djinns of Eidgah #reimagine
Artists, cultural commentators and international development experts come together on 30 October to discuss art and conflict in the light of Abhishek Majumdar's new play about Kashmir at the Royal Court. Find out how to win a ticket below...
The British Council, Culture+Conflict and the Royal Court Theatre are hosting a forum on Wednesday 30 October at the Royal Court Theatre, London, in conjunction with a performance of The Djinns of Eidgah. This new play by Abhishek Majumdar (India), directed by Richard Twyman (UK), paints a tragic portrait of a generation and a landscape caught up in conflict in Kashmir. Read more about the play here and more about why we're hosting the forum here.
Shreela Ghosh, British Council Head of Arts, India, said: "There are so many conflicts in the world. In recent years in London I've seen plays about the war in Congo, the tension in Palestine is often seen on the stage, but to my knowledge Kashmir as a subject has not actually been covered by theatre until now, so that in itself is quite a rare event. Why are we, the British Council, doing this? Because we feel that highlighting issues and casting light on a subject that others can find difficult is really important. The reviews prove why we needed to hold this forum – they are saying that it's a complicated subject, and that the more you know about the conflict and the region the more relevant this play becomes. We live in an age saturated with news which can make people turn off, so we need to draw it to people's attention, and we've got a great line-up of people who can explain the Kashmir story from the inside."
Michaela Crimmin, Co-Director of Culture+Conflict, said: "Plays such as The Dijnns of Eidgah are very much part of the richness of creativity that talks of resilience, hope, violence, clashing political views, and what it is to live in the midst of conflict – the mess and the paradoxes that people are dealing with on a day to day basis, the histories that brought them to this point, and the ambitions and possibilities... We are confident that new understanding and empathy will be prompted amongst us, whether as audience members, expert panellists or as actors – surely positive ingredients in our collective search for resolution both for Kashmir and also across the horrifying number of places where conflict is part of too many lives."
Read on to find out how to win a ticket...
Chaired by Professor Sunil Khilnani, Director of King's India Institute, King’s College London, the forum brings together prominent figures and organisations engaged with cultural activity in conflict areas.
Speakers include: Yasmin Alibhai-Brown (Author and Journalist, The Independent); Professor Sumantra Bose(Professor of International and Comparative Politics, London School of Economics and Political Science); Elyse Dodgson(International Director, Royal Court Theatre); Pauline Ross (Founder and Artistic Director, The Playhouse, Derry/Londonderry); Professor James Thompson (Professor of Applied and Social Theatre, University of Manchester; Director, In Place of War and Executive Director, Humanitarian and Conflict Response Institute).
WIN A TICKET! The forum will be an opportunity to exchange information and ideas, and is intended to extend individual and institutional networks, cultural initiatives and partnerships. It is by invitation only, but if you are interested in attending, follow @UKDramaDance on Twitter and RT Monday's tweet about the forum to be in with a chance of winning a ticket.
Date: Wednesday 30 October
Time: 2:30pm Tea and coffee; 3pm Open Forum
Venue: Royal Court Theatre, 50-51 Sloane Square, London, SW1W 8AS.
Re-Imagine Arts is a five-year initiative that brings together a wide range of partners committed to enhancing the UK-India cultural relationship. This event forms part of the British Council’s UK-South Asia Season 2013 which promotes opportunities to connect, create and collaborate in the fields of education and culture.
Culture+Conflict is a not-for-profit agency founded in 2011 focusing on the role of the arts and culture within conflict and post conflict situations across the world.
