Uniting poets, visual artists and singers from the ICORN Cities of Refuge Network, joining forces with Stavanger Symphony Orchestra, actors from Rogaland Theatre, volunteer participants and Stavanger Culture School's youth choir, Songs Of Existence turned out an event of major importance and tremendous artistic power. Nils Henrik A. was the curator and artistic director. September 18, 2025, Stavanger konserthus.
Songs of Existence 18.sept 2025 - PROGRAMME:
PART 1
Marja Mortensson: Galkije johke
Mansur Rajih: Songarens røyst
Ghawgha: The Crucified
Fatemeh Ekhtesari: The 4 rooms (part 1)
Aaiun Nin: If we happen to meet on this road (part 1)
Ghawgha: Boat
Haile Bizen: Gjenlyd
Selma Yonus: Alt i dette fjerne landet
Marja Mortensson: Tjelvie
Haile Bizen: Our recent family picture
Selma Yonus: Etter å ha vært vitne
Fatemeh Ekhtesari: The 4 rooms (part 2)
Aaiun Nin: If we happen to meet on this road (part 2)
Ghawgha: Zamāna
Irina Shuvalova: VOX
Artur Dron: Say hello to the children
Mansur Rajih: Something like Poetry
Ghawgha: Sing for Me
PART 2
Mohsen Hossaini: Border
(music: John Adams - Shaker Loops, II Hymning slews)
Mansur Rajih: Orbit of Love
(music: John Adams - Shaker Loops, III Loops and Verses)
Marja Mortensson: Biegke Jarkele
Marja Mortensson: Mojhtesh
Fatemeh Ekhtesari: My head loaded the gun
(music: Beethoven/Asheim)
Mohammad El-Susi and Abu Joury:
LA (no, no, no) - Where do we go
Displaced - I wish - March for Palestine - Ascending to Heaven
Aaiun Nin: Mourning is movement
Britta Bystrøm: 10 secret Doors - VI Grazioso
Ramy Essam:
Prison in color
A letter To the Security Council of the United Nations
Revolution
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Singers: Marja Fjellheim Mortensson, Ghawgha, Mohammed Elsusi, Ramy Essam
Readings by Mansur Rajih,Fatemeh Ekhtesari, Aaiun Nin, Haile Bizen and Selma Yonus
Translations read by Anders Dale, Mari Strand Ferstad, Mareike Bechtel Wang
Additional poetry by Artur Dron and Iryna Shuvalova
Stavanger Kulturskole Youth Choir
Stavanger Symphony Orchestra, conductor: Ingunn Korsgård Hagen
Percussion: Kenneth Ekornes
Organ: Nils Henrik Asheim
Prologue with Ana Ahwa performance, by Amira al-Sharif
Video graphics for Mohammed Elsusi: Elsusi
Video graphics for Ramy Essam: Khalid Albaih and Studio Blunt
Video graphics by André Foldøy and Aleksander Forsbakk
Sound design: Kenneth Hernes
Light design: Tord Knudsen
Curated and directed by Nils Henrik Asheim
Presented by Stavanger Symphony Orchestra & Icorn
in collaboration with Kapittel and Rogaland Teater
with support from Stavanger 2025