Music and Conversations
The Opera Circus band supporting Let Music Unite on Portland, Dorset
It was during our time in the Island of Portland providing music for a gig called Let Music Unite and support when such was useful and needed, that the Bibby Stockholm barge docked not far from Portland while the men on board waited for their asylum claims to be assessed. In an effort to make their waiting time less distressing, we joined with Leigh and his team at the Dry Dock Pub to provide music workshops, music and conversation in a very warm, welcoming – albeit sometimes a bit cramped with everyone who joined in – but endlessly kind, caring, and safe space for the men on the barge to join in and feel less isolated.
The aim was to do a three hour workshop every Wednesday in September and October. In the penultimate two, Zangi began to gather songs from each of those present, either from home or improvised, with inspirations being drawn in from Iraq, Kurdistan, Turkey, Rwanda, and from his home country, Kenya. Zangi magically wove these songs together with a refrain from a Kurdish song, Shamle, which became the song’s title. This is a love song and Shamle is a woman’s name.
The following week Zangi brought in his recording equipment and, using a smaller room, everyone recorded their separate lines, one by one. He then went away and worked his magic on what he had gathered from everyone to produce this beautiful song which brings back such memories of how music brought us all together so powerfully.
In the final workshop, Ricky Romain gave a performance for the men on his Sitar, which was deeply appreciated. Much like the food, the music was a reminder of home.
The barge closed shortly afterwards and some of the men were sent back, while others have been granted leave to remain. We wish all of them a safe journey and a better life and would like to thank them for their generosity and care of us.
So many people made this project real and relevant. Thank you to:
Tina, Ricky, Zangi, Tim, Becki, Rory, Gwen, Rosie, Robert, Clare, Leigh and his team from the Dry Dock Pub, and most importantly our friends, Royjar, Jean Eric, Afaq, Atta, Mehmet, Mubeen, Muhammed, Nabeel, Talip, Usman, Erkan, at that time from the barge, but in reality from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Uganda, Iran, Iraq, Turkey, Syria, Kurdistan amongst others.
Our thanks to the Dorset Council for providing the funding to make all this work possible. This includes the home cooked lunches by Becki with kebabs, rice, salad and flatbread, they were all very welcome. We would also like to thank Gwen from Migrant Help UK who gently supported us when we weren’t quite sure how to manage transport, or numbers.
Zangi working on a song with friends at the Dry Dock Weymouth
Here are some of the comments provided by those involved:
“Amazing music Just like I am sitting in Pakistan and hear wonderful music”
“He is a masterclass.”
“Absolute fantastic 
”
“Made our day”
“So beautiful and pleasant”
“Soulful”
Shamle
Zangi, musician, songwriter, facilitator, music producer
Zangi making music for Let Music Unite on Portland as part of a TCFT workshop
Every time I hear the song Shamle it brings back the beautiful experience I had with all the amazing brothers from Bibby Stockholm, I can still hear the sounds, the melodies and the rhythms that these men poured out.
I can still picture us around the table eating and chatting away and afterwards sharing our love for music and what it means to us.
I feel humbled to have been part of this amazing experience and to have contributed in the making of music alongside my very gifted and talented musicians.
We came in speaking different languages and left speaking our own language: SHAMLE!
This project demonstrates how powerful and beautiful music is and how much it is needed in our community, it’s a language that breaks barriers and brings people together.
Bringing all these ideas into one song was one of my highlights, seeing everyone come alive and do their parts with smiles on their faces was priceless.
Tim Fawkes speaking at the TCFT Democracy Workshop
Walking into Dry Dock the day of the first of our six sessions with the men staying on the Bibby Stockholm I felt the same fear I do every time I step into a group of people I’ve never met, tinged with worry about how I would communicate with others who I might not even share a language with.
Thinking back, I realise that this fear must have been multiplied many times over for those I was about to create music with. Men who receive little warmth from the country they seek a better life in.
Sitting in that room, sharing food, conversation and music, I soon found my fear was gone, replaced by the commonality of human emotions. We shared laughter, favourite songs and artists and from these men I felt a generosity of feeling that transcends language.
Each week I saw some leave for new homes around the country and as our song grew, they became a part of what we created. Shamle.
To be a part of this project, to spend time with strangers and learn from them; to work with the wonderfully kind and talented musicians and teachers that are Tina, Ricky and Zangi as well as all those who joined us from the community is something that will be in my heart forever.
Thank you. I love you all. You are welcome here.
You are welcome here
Tim Fawkes, musician, singer, song writer, facilitator
From distant shores and mountains, from far away no more.
From fields green and streets paved or cratered by war.
To prison ship on waters blue in Weymouth they came.
And in tiny rooms in concrete gloom they waited just the same.
For light to break, a home to make in unknown surrounds.
For better lives for men who hoped that here it could be found.
Royjar on percussion at Let Music Unite
Music as Therapy
Royjar, musician, linguist, translator, businessman, mentor
When I was transferred to the BibBY Stockholm Barge, I was depressed and because I was a musician, I was looking for a place so I can calm and enjoy some good music.
When I heard about the music workshop in refugee week, I reserved a ticket because that was what I wanted and when I came to Dry Dock and met you there I was so happy and I had a wonderful day.
After that I decided to come to all the music workshops with this group because it was therapy for me.
Thank you to all of you for making these amazing memories for me.
Love you all.
The Breaking of Bread
Ricky Romain, Sitar Player, Human Rights Artist, Painter, Teacher
When I share the music of Shamle and the stories of our workshops with the men of the Bibi Stockholm it becomes so apparent how important our workshops were for the men from that prison barge and for Zangi, Tim, and myself, the musicians/artist of this music and conversation project.
Tina’s rule is we first must share food together, almost biblical, the breaking of bread. In my being, when you eat food together you are sharing life. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise, as there is a nakedness about sharing food with strangers, fellow travellers, the desert is friendship.
Everyone who I have shared the music with are completely blown away by the infectiousness of the melody and rhythm. Coming together for the name, then singing in their own language who Shamle is for them. A touch of genius, the way Zangi wove it together.
I was asked, “weren’t you interested in their stories, how they came to this country, their back story?” And to some extent yes, BUT, but, it’s an art project and we’re sharing our love of music, it’s infectious and I don’t care how people came here. I/WE only want to make them feel welcome, and in our materialistic world ‘valued’. And what I find intriguing talking to people about the project and the way we work, does confirm in my being the way the space is held for everyone to express themselves is so important and that we are not concerned with their back story.
Ricky Romain on Sitar at the Dry Dock Weymouth
Robert Golden with Khoshall Popalzai at a TCFT Democracy workshop
Photo by: Francesco Pipparelli
All other photographs by Robert Golden
Robert Golden, photographer, film maker
Being with and photographing the men from the Barge offered heartwarming surprises and unexpected pleasures. The younger men and Africans were the most uncertain about what to expect and what to do. Common amongst them was what seemed like an ancient politeness, deep appreciation and respect for the gifts of food and culture.
For many years I have provided film and photography for Opera Circus and TCFT and therefore have witnessed numerous events with asylum seekers and young people from many other countries. It’s always clear that providing culturally appropriate food fosters great warmth amongst those who are missing their homes, their own cooking and the comfort that comes from sharing something offered with kindness. The men were moved by what they understood as a warm-hearted and thoughtful gesture, and I believe they felt, for a moment, that they and/or their cultures were being accepted.
The men also joined in sessions of spontaneous music making. With Zangi, the lead musician/composer, they were able to merge different musical systems and assumptions, creating friendships but also in their coming together through the music.
This was surely an example of how accounting for basic human needs, of offering a non-judgemental and safe environment, and showing sensitive caring can transform our knowledge and relationship with and for each other.
