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Songs of Solidarity

The APGRD is proud to support the development of Songs of Solidarity - the current working title for Dash Arts and Projekt Europa’s new project - which brings together artists, researchers, and refugees to co-create a new epic that celebrates and redefines the migrant experience. By weaving together ancient epics like Kalevala, Gilgamesh, and the Aeneid with modern stories and protest songs, this interdisciplinary project explores solidarity, displacement, and friendship across time. 

In December 2024, co-directors Maria Aberg and Josephine Burton spent a week at the university, exploring ideas together with composer Marouf Majidi, writer and poet Sabrina Mahfouz, migrant performers, local groups of asylum seekers and refugees, and a number of our researchers including Prof. Fiona Macintosh. This first phase of Research and Development was co-produced with the Cultural Programme at Oxford University, in partnership with the APGRD, the Finnish Institute in the UK and Ireland, and Asylum Welcome.

Watch the film

The initial R&D sessions were recorded, and a short film has been produced by Rocio Chacon for Dash Arts and Projekt Europa.

Listen to the podcast

In addition, Dash Arts and Projekt Europa have produced a Podcast: Songs of Solidarity: An Epic Begins which looks at what makes epics epic, featuring

  • APGRD's Fiona Macintosh
  • Josephine Burton - Artistic Director of Dash Arts
  • Maria Aberg - Artistic Director of PROJEKT EUROPA
  • Marouf Majidi - composer and musician
  • Sabrina Mahfouz - writer and poet
  • Luca Macchi - actor and musician
  • Namvula Rennie - actor and musician
  • Chen Xu - actor and musician
  • Natalia Kakarkina - actor and musician
  • Surya Chandra - actor and musician

Future development

Projekt Europa and Dash Arts are continuing development of this work in 2025, with partners from across the arts and academia. If you are interested in joining as a partner, please contact Projekt Europa / Dash Arts.

Image:
Collage of three photographs depicting snapshots of theatrical/musical workshops
Workshopping Songs of Solidarity, December 2024
Snapshots of the initial phase of research and development in the Jacqueline du Pré Music Building; photographs by Jason Warner/Firefly Studios.
Image:
Group photograph of 18 participants in a theatre workshop
Participants of the December 2024 workshops
Our thanks to all the artists, academics, and participants who enriched the workshops; photograph by Jason Warner/Firefly Studios.