'The Ides of March': On Ukraine, the West, and the rest of the world

 

 Dear readers,

We're not going to pretend otherwise, these past 14 days have been difficult... 

Forced to read, mostly powerless, how the dangerous events have unfolded between Russia, Ukraine, the UK, the US and the EU, I felt so much empathy for the new refugees.

I’ve been worrying 24/7 and a few mornings, after sleeping poorly and waking up every hour, I literally woke dreaming that I was running away from Nazis and that people around me seemed unaware… Dead bodies on the streets….

I covered a few conflicts in my career, and mostly post-conflit situations, with refugee crises. My mother, my father, my grandparents all have been directly deeply affected by wars.

This needs to stop. War needs to stop…

As a journalist, I’m hardly able to help, glued to the news. As an educator… It’s difficult to go on as if everything was normal. As an anti-colonialist, frankly, as if the news of the invasion of Ukraine by its powerful neighbour and former imperial force, the media coverage is also shockingly biased, compared to other conflicts.

As usual, the media, and especially British media: 

1. started by focusing on the powerful, the money, the economy 

2. neglected the local context 

3. reflected an unbearable difference between the Syrian refugee crisis of 2015 and this crisis, with journalists literally stating that 'Ukrainians' are 'blond, educated, civilised and middle-class', like the British & American audiences... 

Where comparisons with the wars in Afghanistan, Iraq and Yemen would have been useful, the national media started by quoting only US President Biden and the British government. 

And of course the situation in Palestine.

I believe we urgently need to rethink our treatment of foreign news, as the English language still dominates the world of communication on most platforms. 

If we claim diversity is important inside our country, how could it not be worldwide?

I've written so many drafts about these issues over the years; I even drafted a book project on western media and world news.

If you're interested in commissioning a piece about this, please get in touch:

melissa.journalist@gmail.com 

Art of Resistance presents 'The Last Frontier Festival' - 5 March 2022 at Trinity Centre, Bristol UK

 

I'll be there on Saturday: 

Trinity Centre, Bristol UK - Art of Resistance presents 'The Last Frontier Festival' - 5 March 2022

The Final Frontier Festival

Two-day Festival exploring Bristol’s art/activism

The iconic Bristol Bear will be displayed as part of an exhibition showcasing the history of creative activism in Bristol across the weekend.

Exhibition open from 12.30pm Saturday and 10.30am Sunday.

A series of inspiring talks have been programmed throughout the two days. 

See below for more details.

Day 1: Art, Roots, Revolution

From reclaiming nature, the landscape and the body to building alternative communities, Bristol’s many protest movements are linked by a common thread. They aim to bring us back to the roots of what makes us human and connected. Across this day we explore the many ways in which creativity is central to protest and reconnection.

Please click through the hyperlink on each talk session that you wish to register for:

• 1.30 pm Performance from Rider Shafique

• 2 pm Arts as Activism - Tom Marshman, Michelle Curtis, Rider Shafique

• 3 pm Digital Keynote - Mikaela Loach

• 3:45 pm Ring The Alarm - Deasy Bamford, Doug Fransisco, Rosina Al-Shaater

• 4:45 pm Special Guest Keynote: Melissa Chemam

• 5:45 pm Reclaim Space - Chris Chalkley, Rita Lynch, Freddy Sygrove

• 6pm Performance from Rita Lynch

Workshops led by Bristol City Poet Caleb Parkin, hip-hop artist Craft D, Ruth Ramsay, and more.

Day 2: Call This Equality?

As International Women's Day nears, artists and activists will explore challenging questions around classism and sexism and celebrate female desire, the body, asking how far, if at all, women have made progress in reclaiming the body.

• 11am Pay and Equality – TBC, Angie Belcher, Rhiannon White

• 12pm  Body and Soul - Isadora Vibes, Tamatha- Ann Lovett, Lucy J Turner

• 1pm Key Note - Rommi Smith

Our talks programme will be followed by performance Dry Season by Kat Lyons. 

Please click here for tickets and more information.

Resistance is never futile!!

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Entry is Free – Walk ups allowed but please pre-register for the session(s) you wish to attend to help us manage numbers.

Art of Resistance is a two-year, National Heritage Lottery Funded project charting 100 years of protest in Bristol.

Bristol stands with Ukrainians

 

Solidarity with Ukraine

 Message from Amnesty

February 24, 2022

Soaring concern for human rights and human lives as Russia invades Ukraine

Amnesty International calls for unerring respect for international human rights and humanitarian law, following Russia’s multi-pronged attack on Ukraine this morning.

“Our worst fears have been realized. After weeks of escalation, a Russian invasion that is likely to lead to the most horrific consequences for human lives and human rights has begun,” said Amnesty International’s Secretary General Agnès Callamard.

“As rockets are falling on Ukrainian military bases, and the first reports are coming in of the use of indiscriminate weapons by the Russian army, Amnesty International re-iterates its call on all parties to adhere strictly to international humanitarian law and international human rights law. Civilian lives, homes and infrastructure must be protected; indiscriminate attacks and the use of prohibited weapons such as cluster munitions must not take place. We also repeat our call to allow and facilitate immediate access for humanitarian agencies to provide assistance to civilians affected by the hostilities.

As rockets are falling on Ukrainian military bases, and the first reports are coming in of the use of indiscriminate weapons by the Russian army, Amnesty International re-iterates its call on all parties to adhere strictly to international humanitarian law and international human rights law

Agnès Callamard, Amnesty International’s Secretary General

“Amnesty International will be monitoring the situation closely to expose violations of international law by all parties.”

Expanded armed conflict between the two countries erupted in the early morning on 24 February with the Russian army subjecting Ukrainian military and air bases to heavy shelling, rocket artillery, and missile attacks. Meanwhile tank columns invaded Ukraine’s territory along the entire length of the border.

Background

Early in the morning of 24 February, Russia launched an invasion on Ukraine, with reports of troops crossing the border to the north and south, explosions in multiple cities including the capital Kyiv. On at least one occasion, in Kharkiv, video footage shows the tail section of a rocket fired from a Smerch heavy multiple rocket launcher left sticking out of the pavement. Deliberate attacks on civilians and civilian property, and indiscriminate attacks that kill or injure civilians constitute war crimes.

Amnesty International has previously warned of the devastating human rights risks of further armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine, including threats to civilian lives, livelihoods and infrastructure, and potential acute food shortages and mass displacement. The organization has documented the severe human rights toll of the 2014-2015 conflict in eastern Ukraine, in which war crimes and crimes against humanity were committed.

Music, again and again: 'Baladi'

  In November, I started writing a new column about music in the Greater Middle East for a review.

Those who read this blog regularly know I have a passion for the niche stories, the alternatives, the unorthodox, and the non-mainstream :-).

So what better than digging into non-Western music? And I get a chance to link pieces of music with some interesting stories!

All the episodes so far are here. 

Here is the coming song from Monday's article, from the beautiful voice of Haya Zaatry, from Nazareth/Haifa. 

Haya Zaatry, by César Cid

More on her and the place I found her, virtually, 'Liwan', a cultural café in the heart of Nazareth...

Haya Zaatry - Baladi بلدي

Performed LIVE at the studio Haya Zaatry & Ottor Kevork Estephanian: Vocals & Percussion Tamer Omari: Bass Nizar Matar: Keyboard Haya Zaatry: Vocals & Guitar Videography: Maria Zreik Music Production: Studio Muse Yagur & Tamer Omari Composed and Written by: Haya Zaatry Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/hayazaatry/hay... Ottor on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OttorBand Ottor on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ottorband/ Haya Zaatry on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HayaZaatryOf... هيا زعاترة وأطر - بلدي كلمات: بيوت وسطوح عبعضها كتيرة الشبابيك بس فش نفس كلنا هون عارفين إننا عايشين بنفس القفص بلدي أنا، أحلى بلد ببلدي الجروح، بتبقى للأبد بلدي بحبك، زي ما انت حبيني زي ما أنا نسينا الأزهار وصوات العصافير السهل والجبل كلنا هون عارفين انه هاي الأرض ما عادت تتحمل الغبار بتصير جبال مغطّاي بسجّادة وحدة كبيرة كلنا هون عارفين، علاجنا عم بزيد مرض الأسيرة بلدي أنا، أحلى بلد ببلدي الجروح، بتبقى للأبد بلدي بحبك، زي ما انت حبيني زي ما أنا بس ببلدي، بقدرش أكون أنا © 2018 HAYA ZAATRY ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Bristol, encore quelques mots...

Postés récemment sur un blog, en réponse à la question : 'Que lisez vous?'

Par NicoT 

Posté le 25 juillet 2021 à 15 h 

"En dehors de la zone de confort-de Massive Attack à Banksy" de Mélissa Chemam. Je suis complètement passé à côté de ce livre paru en 2016. Je me suis rattrapé et j'ai bien fait. 

Le livre raconte l'histoire de Massive Attack en commençant bien avant que le groupe n'existe, vers le début des années 80. C'est très détaillé, chaque album, morceau est analysé, les séances de studio et les tournées, et surtout les rapports pour le moins surprenant entre les membres du groupe et ceux qui gravitent autour. J

'ai été scotché par 3D, sa créativité, pas seulement en musique d'ailleurs, est étonnante. Il y a visiblement un paquet de morceaux inédits, et pas des rebuts !

 Comme ça part de 1980 et que ça va jusqu'à début 2016, c'est aussi une autre histoire de la musique anglaise, avec Bristol comme port d'attache. Les carrières de Portishead, Tricky et de quelques autres sont aussi racontées avec brio. L'autrice a visiblement interviewé tout le monde et pour certains, 3D par exemple, à plusieurs reprises. 

3D dont le versant d'artiste street-art est bien abordé, et comme il est la principale influence de Banksy, autre bristolien célèbre, ça parle aussi pas mal de ce dernier.

 Bref un bouquin qui aurait mérité une chronique sur le blog.

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Merci!!

Protesting the dangerous Nationality and Borders Bill

Back in England, I've been reporting on too many issues to have time to post here...

But here is one: On a day of seven protests, people of Bristol met in the city centre next to Watershed / The Fountain to show their support to refugees, in the context of the feared Nationality and Borders Bill, currently on debate in Parliament.

Bristol Labour Councillor Amirah Cole said: "I'm really proud to be here. I'm proud to belong to Bristol, a city of resistance, and to be with those all over the UK who have demonstrated against this bill. The Nationality and Borders bill is said to be the most racist bill in the UK"...

 

Green Party Councillor for Cotham Mohamed Makawi also spoke at the protests, supported by Amnesty International. 

I interviewed Sarah Heath, who's representing the organisation.

More in my reportage for DW - the German International Radio network - in French here:

https://www.dw.com/fr/podcast-vu-allemagne-braconnage-loi-nationalit%C3%A9-angleterre/av-60783274

Marseille / Snapshot

 

January 2022.

It's been so good to start travelling again a little...

Bristol > Paris > Marseille... 

January 2022 News // Letter

 

Dear friends, colleagues, culture & art lovers,

I hope this email finds you well.

Firstly, happy new year and best wishes for 2022!

For everyone, 2021 has been full of ups and downs, and probably a lot of disappointments, losses, frustrations... It's also been a time full of success and hard work for so many.

I, however, truly believe that what the world needs more than ever is to think collectively and to invest in safe and sane interdependence. For our planet, our healthcare systems, in education, in politics, and of course, closer to our team at UWE Bristol, in media/news production.

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For those of you interested in my work as a journalist and art commentator, here is the latest, about Art, Writing, Music & Multiculturalism.

On John Berger's 'Ways of Seeing' @ 50 & Lubaina Himid - BBC Radio 4

Five writers talk about looking at pictures, to mark the 50th anniversary of Ways of Seeing - the 1972 TV series presented by John Berger and its accompanying book.

Listen here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m00132xf

African & Diaspora Artists in Britain:

Conversation with Dr Anne Harbin - UWE / Arnolfini, Bristol

ART HISTORY - 'Here, there… Evenwhere': A personal history of 60 years of African and African diaspora Artists at Arnolfini.

Watch our conversation here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDwTAuC5Ls4

Read the book here:

https://arnolfini.org.uk/app/uploads/2021/10/African_Arnolfini_DigitalPDF_165x230mm_AW.3.pdf

Out of Algeria

A text about contemporary artists who are dear to my heart, for the new magazine the Journal of Creative Pursuit, issue nb#2:

"A publication that explores social and cultural issues through creative work. Acknowledging the systemic inequalities within the creative industries, this publication seeks to diversify the narratives it creates. We aim to bring attention to creatives who are underrepresented on the global scale. We hope that through the stories and discussions we have with creatives from different parts of the world, we can shed light on some cultural and social issues that various communities face."

On Arabic Music

New column... for The Markaz Review.

First episode:

Electronic Music in Riyadh?

https://themarkaz.org/electronic-music-in-riyadh/

Electronic music is trending in the Arab world and Iran, but is Saudi Arabia the best place to showcase it?

Read, react and share if you care.

Part II: Music in the Middle East: Business can’t Buy Authenticity

https://themarkaz.org/music-in-the-middle-east-business-cant-buy-authenticity/

Multiculturalism in British Music

TIMES OF REINVENTIONS: HOW BRISTOL MUSIC SCENE EVOLVED IN THE MID 1990’S

For BIMM Bristol - read here:

https://blog.bimm.co.uk/times-of-reinventions-how-the-bristol-music-scene-evolved-in-the-1990s-mmu

'Writing for Change:

Can Words Truly Inspire a Better World?'

Lastly, this discussion from the Working-Class Writers Festival, which took place in October 2021 in Bristol, is now available to listen online.

Insight into the previous themes mentioned but also a class perspective:

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ht0oyC23cGQ&list=PL2j4bv2AiVXIy8XkIGy1Y_IiOVQkTJs9w&index=11

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My next article will be about Britain and its colonial past... how it still impacts us and how artists are reacting to it. Then I'll write about artists from different parts of the world.

I'll be in Marseille soon, and hopefully later in the year in Liverpool then Berlin. If you're there, let's create a discussion!

I wish you all a new year of great music, art and events, hopefully. Let's make the most of 2022.

With my very best wishes,

melissa

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Melissa Chemam

Writer, Journalist, Researcher

Lecturer in Media & Journalism (Bristol)

Writer in residence at Arnolfini Art Gallery

E: melissa.journalist@gmail.com

W: https://sites.google.com/view/melissachemam

Bristol VS Colston: 'Not Guilty'

 

Yesterday, in my adopted city of Bristol, four Black Lives Matter protesters were  cleared over toppling of Edward Colston statue:

 Rhian Graham, Milo Ponsford, Sage Willoughby and Jake Skuse were found not guilty over act of public dissent during Bristol protest.

In closing statements following the nine-day trial, the defence had urged jurors to “be on the right side of history”, saying the statue, was so indecent and potentially abusive that it constituted a crime.

It stood over the city for 125 years...

More on the history that led Bristol to this unlikely trial very soon, in a long feature article I've been working on since August...