Songs Of Existence

photo by Marie von Krogh / SSO showing Ramy Essam (Egypt)

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