This post is partly influenced by conversations and reflections with friends, discussing the event on Saturday. It also contains documentation of racist abuse people we know have faced.

We travelled up with a crowd from Brighton. Over a hundred signed up to the official local transport, plus many more travelled independently with mates and family.

I decided to make a soundscape recording, asking people their thoughts on why they’d travelled. One group had come as part of a convoy of 7 coaches from Dorset, others from Wales, Teeside, the Midlands and some nearer home in Sussex.

Having experienced a lot of marches in London, this felt like a big one. On the day the organisers said half a million attended. The Met Police said 50000. I’d say the Met were considerably underplaying numbers. We arrived at Hyde Park around 11.30, meeting time was 12.00, the intended start time being 1.00. Situated near the back, a good hour and a half after the start and still at a standstill, stewards announced that the front of the march had already reached the end point 2.5 km away. Regardless of the exact numbers, it was busy and diverse in every way possible.

The day was a response to the rise of far right hate crime and rhetoric in Britain and also to the ‘Tommy Robinson’ (real name Stephen Yaxley Lennon) ’Unite the Kingdom’ demo last September. Attendance figures for both events are disputed, but as a friend pointed out, the TR event was backed and funded by some of the Worlds richest most powerful men (Elon Musk to name one). Whereas this was backed by most British workers Trade Unions, a long list of charities and community organisations and a very diverse crowd. There was no violence, no excessive drinking, no urinating in the streets, no racist, homophobic chanting, all of which were on display at the Robinson march. The TR march was also predominantly attended by white men, many of whom were happy to threaten and sometimes assault counter protesters (I went on the counter protest and witnessed all the above)

There are a lot of reasons people march. In the current climate of increasing hostility toward minoritised groups, especially Muslims, refugees and asylum seekers and Black and Brown people, which has sadly been on the rise since the EU referendum campaign, it’s good to know that there are many of us who stand together, against the hate.

Last September at an anti racism demo in Southampton, standing next to an Asian guy, as he reflected ‘I’m in my 60’s, I grew up here, and it feels like we’re fighting the same people who used to chase us in the street in the 1970’s’. The same summer, while visiting East Yorkshire, Laila was racially abused by a taxi driver. She was travelling alone. A couple of years previous, we had a guy from the electric company come to fix our boiler, he complained about migrants and Muslims, again she was on her own (I wonder if he’d have said what he did if I’d been home). Elsewhere in Brighton friends have been racially abused in the street. In February this year a 12 year old Brown girl had to seek safety in a local shop, after white men with St George flags told her to ‘go back where she came from’. In October last year, in nearby Peacehaven a Mosque was deliberately set on fire in a hate crime, which ought to be classed as an act of terrorism. At the time (and ongoing) people from Operation Raise the Colours, which has well documented links to far right extremists, had been illegally hoisting St George and Union Jacks in the streets. People taking them down have been threatened with violence, and on Facebook, a local group threatened to go ‘hunt for places migrants are’ on the same day as a drop in music session facilitated by Music Action International with people seeking safety in Britain.

This has all happened in an increasingly hostile environment to people who have come to live in Britain, or those who do not fit into the racist ethnonationalist view of ‘British’ or ‘English’. Both Labour and the Tories, in desperate efforts to reclaim votes they appear to be losing to Reform have further scapegoated people seeking safety from war and persecution with increasingly punitive policies. Farage, many Reform members and candidates have well documented histories of racist or otherwise bigoted comments and behaviours, all while being given increasing amounts of airtime.

Walking around the march on Saturday, these stories were repeated and reflected by many I chatted with, and many had come for the same reasons. There is of course a social element to attending a demonstration, it’s a good chance to chat, meet like minded people, and have a bit of a laugh. Overall, although the cause is serious, the day also felt celebratory, there was a lot of music and people danced as they marched, it was all very friendly.

Unfortunately some of those who attend the far right marches will have the same social experience, it’s a day out and a laugh with mates. No excuse for the racism and hate behind those marches, but how many are fully aware of the beliefs of Robinson, Farage and those who fund them? Reform have links with Putin and Russia, Robinson has help from the US and the Israeli state, currently committing genocide and war crimes across Palestine, Lebanon, Iran and the rest of the region.

In stark contrast, to the Tommy Robinson march, the Together demo had no super rich, tax dodging financial backers, or a figurehead currently living abroad to avoid legal issues in Britain. Together was organised, managed and attended collectively. There’s a lead organisation, but a significant part was played by grassroots organisations and individuals, standing against racism.

Some people we met on the march and main Together web. There is a full list of participating orgs on the Together website, these are just a few we me on the day.

Together Website

Hromada Collective (Ukrainian Choir)

Na’amod

Vahavtauk (Jews Against the far right)

Global African Congress UK

Singing Resistance London

Feminise Politics Now

Anti Fascist International (UK)

We start the day with East Side Galley. The longest still standing stretch of the Berlin Wall, apparently also the world’s longest open air gallery at 1.3 kilometres. It’s about 2 minutes from Ostbahnhof station, heading straight over the grass toward the river. There’s a very good Portuguese cafe at the western end, it’s a bit pricey but worth it as the cakes are excellent and they let Laila sit in there all day and use the internet on the day she had to work. The gallery itself is a popular tourist attraction, especially the Honecker - Brezhnev kissing mural, there’s a queue to take selfies in front of it, people pass their phones to strangers, so they can get a pic taken. A young guy from London takes ours. The painting is called ‘My God! Help me to survive amidst this deadly love’ by Russian artist Dmitri Vladimirovich Vrubel. He lived in Berlin and also painted images mocking Putin. Sadly he died aged 62 during the Covid epidemic. The murals are well worth spending time with, many political in nature, anti war etc.

The other side of the wall, in the park facing the river, is generally used for graffiti, people painting over as and when. It’s also well worth a look. The park is on the bank of the river Spree, with great views along the river. It’s cold but sunny. There’s a bunch of young people sitting near the river edge playing techno, chatting and drinking. I stood nearby taking pics of the river, they’re talking about DJ’s and after parties. It’s early Saturday morning, Berghain and some of the other techno clubs are only a short walk from here, so maybe they’ve been there. I wanted to ask, but my German’s not that great and besides, I didn’t want to disturb their conversation. Up until November 1989, no one would have been able to sit in this park, as it was sandwiched between the 2 borders.

https://berlinwallmap.info/map/

The eastern end of the galley is near Warschauer straße (Warsaw Street), we walked from here up to RAW Gelände, which turns out to be my favourite Christmas market of the few we saw (there are around 70 across the whole city, and we only visited a handful of). It’s easy to think you’ve missed it, or the area is closed as you approach from Warschauer straße. RAW Gelände is a whole complex of venues, arts centres, galleries etc. Before becoming an arts Center, it was a railway repair yard for the Reichsbahn DDR, the East German state railway in the communist era. Entering the complex from the Warschauer straße end, we missed the main entrance, and strolled past several semi derelict graffiti covered warehouses and outbuildings. Nature is taking its course and some are becoming overgrown with greenery as they slowly fall into decay. There are a few little tracks to head down, we pass a music school and gig venue, and a gym, which is blacked out, with UV lighting and day glow art on the walls, a bunch of people are in a session, with banging techno playing, and a guy barking instructions through a distorted PA. It’s quite surreal.

We almost miss the main attraction and are about to head off elsewhere, when Laila notices the actual entrance to the Christmas market, which is billed as a Medieval market. It’s completely different to the markets we saw in Potsdammer, Alexander Platz and Humboldt, which were all fun, but a bit uniform, with the same company food stalls and commercial feeling, not a million miles away from Winter Wonderland in London. The Medieval market at RAW has a bit more of a homemade community vibe to it, stalls selling handicrafts, people are in costume, and there’s a Medieval axe throwing stall. There’s loads of food, including freshly made bread. We see hot chunky loaves coming out of an oven. The stall sells hot rolls, stuffed with what might be a full block of melted cheese, mixed with either chunks of ham or spinach. It’s kind of like a giant flat sausage roll, but with fresh wholemeal bread as the casing, and a molten cheese filling. I’ve never seen so much melted cheese in one serving. I’m thinking aloud about the cheese and ham option, the woman shrugs her shoulders, half grinning as to why anyone would not want one ‘I mean, it’s cheese and ham, what’s not to like ?’Needless to say, it’s an excellent food experience, with a bit of a garlic taste to it, and quite a messy meal, but god knows what my arteries are feeling about it all. Fortunately there’s plenty of gluhwein stalls to knock it down with. We sit on some straw bales to watch a fire juggling show, which is chaotic good fun. The air is cold, it’s a bright crisp day. Two guys are dressed in what looks like medieval jester outfits, and although it’s in German, we can follow the general drift of the show. They do a country round up, obviously most people are German, but everyone gets a cheer. They ask if there are any English folk in the crowd, we’re the only ones, they cheer and welcome us.

From RAW, we walk north east through Friedrichshain to the Stasi Museum. Of the two museums related to the soviet era we visited (DDR yesterday) the Stasi one is in my view the most impactful. Set in the old Stasi headquarters, surrounded by monotonous grey buildings, the exterior in itself is imposing, a weird mix of drab and sinister, especially considering the grim activities that took place inside. The museum is looked after and was founded by Antistalinistische Aktion Berlin-Normannenstraße, it’s a memorial and research centre. There are 3 floors open to visitors, the top one being the offices, maintained as they were in the soviet days (minus all the files). Amongst all the more well documented ill practices of the Stasi, spying on people and torturing them, there’s a panel about their aim to deliberately sabotage relationships, building suspicion and fear among social and friendship groups, leading to the isolation and discrediting of their targets. This museum in particular, along with the Jewish Museum and the Topography of Terror, which we also visit, ought to serve as a warning for the world now, especially when it comes to the scapegoating groups of people.

Leaving the museum, it’s now dark outside and a thick fog has descended on the city. Inside the complex and neighbouring road, some of the street lights are green. This and the fog, adds to the sinister atmosphere around the building.

We walk back toward Friedrichshain, over to Boxhagener Platz, popping into a bar, which is owned by a Columbian family, serving food to match, which definitely hits the spot after a long cold walk. The bar is cosy, with comfy armchairs and low lighting. Quite a few of the bars here, people come to your table to take drinks orders, which is a nice change from queuing at the bar. On the way home we walk past Berghain, which is closed, but I wanted to see it. Then we decided to visit Masala King, which was recommended by the Indian family we met at a Christmas market. Situated around the back of the train station, off the road on a small patch of land, are a few food cabins. It’s late at night and only Masala King is open at the moment. The guy who runs it, came here from Punjab 8 years ago. The serving counter is outside, with the kitchen behind it, there’s a mix of Punjabi and Hindi pop songs playing on the stereo. There are a couple tables outside for the warmer weather, which is definitely not now. The inside seating area is pretty much a couple of porta-cabins adjacent to the kitchen, with an adjoining door. It’s all painted white inside, illuminated with strip lights and there are a few big tables and benches and no decorations, but the point is, the food, which is very good and served as it would be in South Asian countries, is not sweetened for western tastes. The place is packed, most people speaking Hindi, Punjabi or Gujarati, it’s clearly popular with the local growing South Asian community. Laila says people come here for the food and a social environment, what the place looks like is not that important. The guy who set it up says it’s busy all the time, and he doesn’t get much time off. We’re visiting in winter, and the area looks a bit run down at the moment, but there are images from summer online and it all looks like a cool buzzing little park and nice place to spend time.

Soundscape Times:

* 00.00: Alexanderplatz Christmas Market Ice Rink

* 00.42: Sax Player Near East Side Gallery

* 01.36: RAW Gelände Techno Gym

* 02.46: Ambient sounds RAW Gelände

* 04.51:Ambient Sounds outside Stasi Museum

* 06.12: Inside Masala King, near Ostbahnhof Station

* 06.50: Sunday Morning Church Bells Kreuzberg

* 09.00: Christmas Eve Bells Kreuzberg

* 11.40: Christmas Eve Near Markthalle Neun

* 12.12: Busker Spandau Station

We are currently removing all our podcasts and soundcapes from Spotify, due to their complicity in the arms trade and poor deals for musicians. All previous work will be reposted here and on our new Bandcamp page

Recording details:

0 - 3.46: ‘Our Friend from Gaza” Palestinian man, from Gaza, speaks at the Brighton Nakba demonstration/commemoration about his experience and that of his friend and family in Gaza. (Please note, he was introduced as ‘our friend from Gaza. He gave permission for his speech to be used, he also gave his name, but there have been times when the Israeli occupying forces have targeted the families of those who speak out.)

3.36 - 30.28: Silent march through the streets of Brighton, organised by the Stop the War Coalition and Brighton and Hove Palestine Solidarity Campaign . About 2000 people walked through the city, in silence, to the sound of a drum and bell ringing. They carried ribbons bearing the names of 4000 children, of the over 18’000 who have been murdered by Israel in ongoing genocide in Gaza. The march took around 2 to 2 and half hours, there’s just under 30 minutes here. People handed out flyers explaining the Nakba and what was happening, the vast majority of the public were supportive, aside from a few far right, white supremacists near the end, with Israeli flags. They have a well documented history in Brighton of attacking Palestinians and their allies, including Jewish people who speak up against the occupation and Genocide. There’s a section at around 20 minutes, when the march passes a children’s playground. There is a stark contrast of kids playing here, and the horror those in Gaza face. Starting on the Level, the march wound through the city and finished on the seafront, after the speeches, the group held a few minutes silence, looking out to sea, toward Palestine, finally wrapping up with a chant of ‘Free Palestine’. Throughout the day, both the public and those involved, commented on how moving the whole activity felt.

30.28 - End: William Dalrymple, at the London Nakaba demonstration on 17th May, speaking about the historical context to Nakba, the failure of the British Empire and the racism of Winston Churchill. Half a million people attended, one of the biggest demonstrations held in London. It was barely mentioned by the British media.

https://www.un.org/unispal/about-the-nakba/

https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/nakba-palestine-catastrophe-explained

https://www.amnesty.org.uk/press-releases/israelopt-current-scenes-forced-displacement-gaza-reminiscent-nakba

Please see link below for photographs

https://voicefromtherotests.wordpress.com/

Soundscape from the Nagar Kirtan, (religious procession) through Gravesend, on April 12th 2025 as part of the Sikh community Vaisakhi celebration. The first 10 minutes are during the procession, the final minute from the Dharmic Mela (Fair/Festival) in the grounds of the Gurdwara after the Nagar Kirtan.

For more pics and full story please see link below

https://bestfootmusic.net/2025/04/13/gravesend-vaisakhi-april-2025/

Thanks to Laila, Asma, Laura and all the team for organising this important conversation. 

Ahmed Alnaouq is a Palestinian journalist from Gaza and the co-founder of We Are Not Numbers, a collective that trains the next generation of Palestinian writers to publish their stories in English. Ahmed is also is a co-founder of Across the Wall, a media platform that tells Palestinian stories in Hebrew. Ahmed obtained a Chevening Scholarship to pursue a Master’s degree in international journalism from Leeds University before serving as an advocacy and outreach officer for the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor. His writings have been published in many publications, including The Washington Post, The New Arab and Arab News. He has appeared live in interviews across the Western media, speaking on channels such as Sky News, the BBC and MSNBC. During an air raid by Israel’s military on the home of his family and relatives in the south of the Gaza Strip on October 22 2023, 21 of Ahmed’s relatives were killed: his father, two brothers, three sisters and 14 nieces and nephews.

https://wearenotnumbers.org/

Carmen Wilson is Director of Operations at Demilitarise Education, a community and nonprofit organisation that envisions a world where universities champion peace.

https://ded1.co/

Rhona Michie is the Director of Projects and Planning at Shadow World Investigations. She is a co-editor (with Andrew Feinstein, Professor Paul Rogers and Jeremy Corbyn) of Monstrous Anger of the Guns: How the Global Arms Trade is Ruining the World and What We Can Do About It. She is a co-founder and coordinator of the Corruption Tracker and was listed as an Emerging Expert by the Forum on the Arms Trade in 2022.

https://shadowworldinvestigations.org/team_member/rhona-michie/

Jeremy Corbyn is Director or the Peace and Justice Project and has been the Member of Parliament for Islington North since 1983. He is the 6th longest serving MP in Parliament. In the 2024 General Election he stood as an Independent and won by a clear majority of over 24000, compared to the Labour candidate of 16800. He has a long track record of community involvement and campaigning for justice, often using his position to fight for marginalised people and taking a stand against corruption. 

https://thecorbynproject.com/

Also speaking is DR Rodrigo Martinez Lecturer in Economics and Finance of Real Estate at University College London and member of BDS at UCL.

https://bdsatucl.com/

0 - 5.40 Hyderabad to Balharshah

5.40 - 36.07 Gadchiroli Pt 001_29 July to 13 August

36.07 - 46.52 Gadchiroli Pt 002 District Villages Indigenous Peoples Day 9th August

46.52 - 58.34 Nagpur 13th - 16th August

58.34 - 1.16.02 Gadchiroli Part 003 17 to 21 August

1.16.02 - End 005 Hyderabad Qutub Shahi

There is a related diary to this soundscape on our main website:

https://bestfootmusic.net/2023/08/28/india-family-visit-2023-gadchiroli-district/

Background context

The play is structured around retellings of folk tales from conflict affected regions around the World. There is a Scheherazade character, introducing tales to a child trapped under the rubble after an airstrike. The play title and some of the visuals created, such as the opening scene of a girl innocently playing with a kite, reference the poem ‘If I must die, Let it be a Tale’ by Refaat Alareer, who was deliberately targeted and murdered by the Israeli regime, on the 6th December 2023 during the ongoing genocide in Gaza. His brother Salah with son Mohammed, and his sister Asmaa with three of her children (Alaa, Yahia, and Mohammed) were also among those killed in the same airstrike. A month before his death, Refaat pinned the poem to his twitter profile. The poem has since been translated into over 250 languages.

ThirdSpace Theatre is an inclusive, diverse theatre company, and in fitting with their ethos and the themes of the play, the company approached Best Foot Music, looking for musicians from diverse backgrounds, representing some of the cultures, heritages and geographies presented in the play.

Recording

During the performances, the five musicians sat in a line on a balcony above the theatre space, looking down toward the stage. The theatre microphones were set , close to the instruments to amplify them via the theatre PA system, as such there wasn’t space to place recording microphones close to individual instruments or musicians, so I placed a couple of pencil mics in an X/Y position on a small floor stand in the centre of the musicians line, and two large diaphragm condensers at either end. I also had an omni directional mic for general room ambience. The actors on stage had no amplification, but they projected well and the theatre has excellent acoustics. Recording conditions were not ideal, but of course the musicians were there as part of the play, for the audience to hear, and making the recording was just a nice bonus.

Musicians on the balcony preparing for the show

Rehearsal Process

Although the play had been in development for some months prior, the musicians went to their first rehearsal toward the end of October, I went with them to most of the sessions. Watching the different creative teams collaboratively knit the play into a meaningful structure was a engaging educational experience. The script was co written with the young actors, stories were reshaped, soundscapes and effects created, along with stage designs, lights, animated backdrops, costumes and of course the music performances. The first couple of rehearsal sessions the musicians improvised and responded to what they saw, working with music director Kirsty and creative director Tanushka to eventually shape the music themes to each story. They all bought in elements from their own musical heritages and experience, and weaved in a couple of traditional folk tunes from their backgrounds. It was a new experience to us, but the musicians are professional and working with Kirsty and Tanushka, who both bought their years of theatre experience to the project was reassuring. The first time any of those involved saw all the elements combined was on the Friday afternoon, during a full dress and tech rehearsal, before the first public performance at 7.00 that evening.

Creative Rehearsal Session, 16th November, Brighton Youth Club.

Anti Palestinian racism & the community comes together against it...

Simultaneously to rehearsals, a campaign of harassment and intimidation against the play and those involved was being carried out. This should be called what it was; anti Palestinian racism. A small element from the local community, worked with UK Lawyers for Israel, to intimidate those involved in the play, whilst pressuring Brighton Council, the Dome management and the plays financial backers to cancel the performances. Fortunately the creative sector and wider community came out in support. Jewish Voice for Labour, published an article, with a letter, signed by people in the arts, including Michael Rosen. Comma Press published a similar supportive article . Additionally many from the local community, including Jews Against the Occupation and Na’amod offered support. This is not the only time Palestinian artists, or those working with them have been attacked. During the lead up to an event Best Foot Music organised earlier in 2024, I was contacted and told that booking Palestinian artists was ‘problematic’ and that I should be booking Israeli musicians and not other Jewish musicians, at the same time, some of the refugee run organisations we worked with on the event, faced a campaign of harassment for being on the same bill as Palestinian artists. There are plenty of documented cases of other Palestinian artists, or those working with them who’ve had events cancelled for no reason, other than racism and to attempt to prevent people from speaking out against the genocide.

Fortunately the campaign failed, many from the Brighton community and wider creative world, stood up and supported. The play was a resounding success. The entire run was sold out and well received, with standing ovations and cheers.

For me personally, being involved was an immensely rewarding experience. Witnessing a creative multi disciplined project evolve was fascinating; so many people with different skills working together, in a constructive, supportive environment, created something really positive that I’ll treasure for a long time. Hopefully we can all do it again sometime.

Thanks to Tanushka, everyone at ThirdSpace and all those who came out in support for an amazing project.

Music team are

Kirsty Martin; Music Director, Accordion & Composition

Alaa Wehbi; Oud & Composition

Dina Shenderetska; Guitar, Vocal & Composition

Jamal Alsaka; Percussion & Composition

Polina Loubnina; Flute & Composition

Behind the scenes on opening day.

https://thirdspacetheatre.co.uk/

https://www.jewishvoiceforlabour.org.uk/article/artists-rally-to-defend-youth-theatre-company-under-attack/

https://commapress.co.uk/blog/comma-press-and-voices-of-resilience-stands-with-thirdspace

https://fringereview.co.uk/review/brighton-year-round/2024/let-it-be-a-tale/

https://thegrayzone.com/2023/12/07/tribute-refaat-alareer-teacher-murdered-israel/

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/dec/12/israel-hamas-war-palestinian-poetry-gaza

Tanushka, Theatre and Artistic Director of Third Space Theatre approached us in Summer this year to ask if musicians from Best Foot Music would like to take part in creating music for a their new play Let it Be a Tale to be performed in the Dome Studio Theatre just before Christmas this year.

“Let it Be a Tale, weaves together folk stories from North and West Africa, the Middle East, and beyond. The play is devised and co created with the young people who are part of Third Space.”

We’ve attended rehearsal sessions, during which the script and the music has taken shape. The musicians have bought their creative backgrounds, experience and expertise, working with Tanushka and music director Kirsty Martin, it’s been a welcoming creative space in which everyone can flourish. It’s been a fantastic learning experience, in which everyones creativity is respected.

The soundscape here, is a collage of recordings made during rehearsal sessions, documenting the creative process as the music team work out ideas.

Musicians involved are Jamal and Alaa, and Dina and Polina

Dina Shenderetska

"I find working on this play fascinating. Young people's eagerness, zest, openness and talent is inspiring.

Tanushka and Kirsty as well as other members of the play are creating a free joyful atmosphere for everyone to do their best work."

Alaa Wehbi

“Gaining experience from professionals like Tanushka and Kirsty has given me many skills in leading groups and communicating with young people. Working with young people in the rehearsals I participated in brought me joy and happiness. I enjoyed it a lot “

Third Space is a safe, inclusive space, that includes people from a wide range of backgrounds, including some who have come to the UK as refugees.

Let it Be a Tale, will be at the Dome, Studio Theatre Friday 20th to Sunday 22nd December, tickets are here.

16th November Creative Rehearsal Session

23rd November Creative Rehearsal Session

Drawings from Rehearsal Sessions

The other mostly middle aged white guys, with some well documented racism and by all accounts a fair amount of public urinating from too much drinking.

The anti racist gathering was actually two events, one organised by Stand Up To Racism. The other by United Families and Friends Campaign “The families within the UFFC coalition are diligent in seeking justice for loved ones lost at the hands of the state. Our work of over two decades is centred on supporting each other in any way we can.”

The Stand Up To Racism march was a response to the far right gathering, organised by Steven Yaxley Lennon (Tommy Robinson). There are multiple videos of the far right gathering online, including open racism, islamophobia, as well as public urinating.

Hope Not Hate info on T.R.

https://hopenothate.org.uk/tommy-exposed/

https://hopenothate.org.uk/2024/09/17/the-far-right-and-the-riots-pt-ii-burglars-nazis-and-tommy-robinson/

Image galleries are people, then home made signs, demonstrating some nice creativity and finally, organisation banners, which give an indication of how far people travelled for the day. The furthest was Scotland.

The sound recording is soundscape from the march, mostly the group in the first few pics. The horn sound is a guy blowing a large conch shell.

People walked in silence through the streets from the Hove Peace statue, to Pavilion gardens, as the names of some of the children were read out loud along the way. In over two hours walking, starting with those under one year old, by the time we reached Pavilion gardens, names were of two year olds. Some one else in the park was reading names of older children.

There was a small counter demonstration near the start, as usual falsely accusing those marching for Palestine of being antisemitic and supporters of terrorist groups. Along the march route the vast majority of people watched respectfully, some took pictures, some joined the march. There were a couple of minor incidents, one man shouting verbal abuse at people as they walked.

The solemn vigil ended in Pavilion gardens with speeches and community choir.

The UK Government, firstly under the Conservatives, now Labour, continues to supply arms to Israel.

Unlawful occupation

On July 19, 2024, the ICJ ruled that Israel's occupation of the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza Strip is unlawful under international law. The ICJ also found that Israel's actions amount to annexation.

Apartheid

The ICJ ruled that Israel's discriminatory laws and policies against Palestinians violate the prohibition on apartheid.

The ICJ has also applied for arrest warrants for Israeli and Hamas leaders

https://www.icc-cpi.int/news/statement-icc-prosecutor-karim-aa-khan-kc-applications-arrest-warrants-situation-state

https://www.amnesty.org/en/location/middle-east-and-north-africa/middle-east/israel-and-the-occupied-palestinian-territory/

Talk by Professor Haim Bresheeth, discussing the origins of Zionism, the decline of the British Empire, Antisemitism and Islamophobia.

As he says at the start, this is an overview, please see Haim's website for further reading.

"Professor Haim Bresheeth is a filmmaker, photographer and a film studies scholar, retired from the University of East London, where he worked since since early 2002. He now teaches at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS).

His books include the best-selling Introduction to the Holocaust (with Stuart Hood, 2 reprints since 1997), the first version was titled Holocaust for Beginners (1993) and was also reprinted a number of times; This title was also published in Turkish, Croatian and Japanese translations, and is being translated into other languages."

https://www.haimbresheeth.com/

The discussion is approx 27 minutes, followed by 3 minutes of soundscapes from the protest on the day.

The music clip at 28 mins is

https://www.instagram.com/feminylander/

The Palestinian song heard in the background is Mohammed Assaf - Dammi Falastini

https://palestinecampaign.org/

https://www.stopwar.org.uk/

Talk by Professor Haim Bresheeth, discussing the origins of Zionism, the decline of the British Empire, Antisemitism and Islamophobia.

As he says at the start, this is an overview, please see Haim's website for further reading.

"Professor Haim Bresheeth is a filmmaker, photographer and a film studies scholar, retired from the University of East London, where he worked since since early 2002. He now teaches at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS).

His books include the best-selling Introduction to the Holocaust (with Stuart Hood, 2 reprints since 1997), the first version was titled Holocaust for Beginners (1993) and was also reprinted a number of times; This title was also published in Turkish, Croatian and Japanese translations, and is being translated into other languages."

https://www.haimbresheeth.com/

The discussion is approx 27 minutes, followed by 3 minutes of soundscapes from the protest on the day.

https://palestinecampaign.org/

https://www.stopwar.org.uk/

23.16 Cluj to Budapest Train

24.20 Budapest to Munich Train

27.00 Munich

0.12 Munich train to Salzburg

0.50 Romanian cafe opposite Salzburg station

1.47 Train to Ljublijana

2.02 Ljubljana

6.26 Ljubljana to Budapest Train

9.00 Budapest

16.08 Budapest to Cluj Train

16.44 Cluj Napoca

25.26 Cluj to Sighișoara Train

23.16 Cluj to Budapest Train

24.20 Budapest to Munich Train

27.00 Munich

0.12 Munich train to Salzburg

0.50 Romanian cafe opposite Salzburg station

1.47 Train to Ljublijana

2.02 Ljubljana

6.26 Ljubljana to Budapest Train

9.00 Budapest

16.08 Budapest to Cluj Train

16.44 Cluj Napoca

25.26 Cluj to Sighișoara Train

As always the march was hugely diverse, with a sizeable Jewish Bloc.

Photographs and more in the link here

https://www.bestfootmusic.net/post/voices-from-the-protests

Nakba info;

https://nakba.amnesty.org/en/

https://www.amnesty.org.uk/press-releases/israelopt-current-scenes-forced-displacement-gaza-reminiscent-nakba

https://press.un.org/en/2024/gapal1467.doc.htm

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nakba

There were lots of groups with drums and percussion, leading chants along the way. As always the march was hugely diverse, with people from a wide range of religious and ethnic backgrounds, age and where they'd travelled from around the UK. We met people from North Wales, Cardiff, Leeds, Nottingham, Bristol across the UK, and fair few people who were visiting London and decided to join for a while.

As the march neared Hyde Park, some people unfolded banners over the statue of Achilles, memorial to the Duke of Wellington, a huge symbol of colonialism. A group of police asked them to remove the banners, but after a few chants of 'show your human side' decided to leave them alone. Later in the day, after the main event had finished, a group gathered in Hyde Park, singing and chanting, for a while the police surrounded the group, mostly just observing and eventually deciding to step back. I made soundscape recordings of the day, this time as we were in the noisier front section of the march, it's mostly chants and atmosphere, with one guy from the Jewish Bloc speaking around 5 minutes in.

Some of the groups on the Jewish Bloc

Black Jewish Alliance

Jewish Socialists Group

Jews For Justice For Palestinians

Jewish Voice For Labour

Na'amod

International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network

All recordings made in public spaces.

Istanbul has an estimated population of 15.46 million and covers 5461 square km², compared to London’s population of 8.9 million and size of 1573 km². Considering its size and population, it’ve very easy to find peaceful quiet spaces. This episode includes street musicians, nature sounds, cafes and memories of life in the city.

The call to prayer (Adhan) is recited 5 times a day and so is a regular part of the soundscape of Istanbul. Our flight arrived in Istanbul early morning on the 3rd April, we arrived at our hotel around 5 in the morning, coincidentally Fajr, the first of the day happened just as we stepped out of our taxi. The street we stayed on was narrow, with high buildings, near several large mosques, causing the sound to reverberate, not dissimilar to being in a canyon. In other places, its a quiet background sound.

We were visiting during the last few days of Ramadan, including Eid, with a major public holiday the following three days (Bayram)

00 - 7.10 April 3rd

Arriving at our hotel, near küçükpazar, early morning call to prayer (Fajr) then Beyoğlu, near Galata bridge.

7.15 - 10.50 April 4th

Balat and Fena.

10.50 - 14.40 April 5th

Near küçükpazar, walking to Beyoğlu, then walking to Suleymaniye Mosque, Eminönü.
14.40 -  18.10 April 6th

Ferry to Kadıköy, then Fener in the evening, including drummer. His family have been drumming for generations, he collects money during Ramadan, wishing people happy holidays.
18.10 - 27.00 April 7th 

Venerable Patriarchal Church of Saint George, Fener. Street sounds Balat and Fener, including drummer.
27.00 - 31.00 April 8th

Early morning bakery in küçükpazar, then Büyükada, Princes' Islands.
32.00 - 53.42 April 9th

The last day of Ramadan, we spent the whole day around Sultanahmet, visiting the Sultanahmet Camii (Blue Mosque), Hagia Sophia and sitting in the Sultan Ahmet park with 1000’s of people as they waited for the final Iftar meal of this Ramadan. It was really beautiful.
53.42 - 1.07.20 April 10th 

Beyoğlu
1.07.20 - end April 11th

Early morning call to prayer from our hotel window,  with Simit bakery in background, walking through the neighbourhood early morning and Basilica Cistern sounds.

There are a few bits of recognisable music being played from passing cars, restaurants etc.

27.15: Başkentli Resul - Sabir Ver

1.03: Aynur Doğan - Keçê Kurdan

These are just the ones I recognise, if you know more, please message.

Razom ~ Together is a series of collaborative social events organised by the Ukrainian community and their friends in Brighton, focusing on sharing food, music and a safe space to form friendships.

Naomi worked for Waterloo Press and has a history of publishing Ukrainian literature in the UK. She is Reader in Critical Imaginative Writing at the University of Chichester'.

Further information on Naomi's work on Ukraine can be seen in the links below.

https://pulsemedia.org/2015/01/21/writing-with-foreign-blood-a-visit-to-ukraine/

https://www.naomifoyle.com/category/ukraine/

Vladyslava is originally from Ukraine currently living in Brighton. She is community organiser, activist, founder member of Kupala Brighton and member of the Razom organising team.

Thanks to Marek Kohn for suggesting the idea of a Ukrainian literature reading as part of Razom and introducing us to Naomi. Marek is also a member of the Razom team.

As always it was incredibly diverse. In relation to some of the negative reactions to the marches, I thought it would be interesting to capture some of the voices of people there, so took a recorder and asked people one question; what made you come today. 10 people spoke, from a wide variety of backgrounds and life experiences. I didn't ask anyone about how they identify, but 2 people said straight away they were Jewish. Some talked about prejudices they had faced in life and the need to stand against a decline in global ethics. The march was peaceful and attended by people from all over the UK.

The first 6 minutes are people speaking, followed by roughly 10 minutes of soundscape from the demo. The march finished at Trafalgar Square, a short walk from Downing Street. The final couple of minutes are the bells of Westminster Abbey, as we walked away at the end of the day, passing through statues and buildings constructed at the heart of the British Empire, one can't help be be reminded of that empire's lasting legacy.

The first national march was held on 15th October. At the time, the UK Home Secretary branded the marches as 'hate marches' as did parts of the UK press.

As of December 30, 2023 Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor estimated Gaza Strip civilian deaths at 27,681.

On 30 October, Save the Children reported more children had died in three weeks in Gaza than in the entire sum of conflicts around the world in the past four years.

https://www.un.org/en/situation-in-occupied-palestine-and-israel

Music in this podcast is not from live music performances on the day but instead includes clips from song and dance workshops and someone improvising on the piano while the gig was being set up.

More pics, info & donations to medical supplies are in the link:

https://www.bestfootmusic.net/post/summer-to-autumn-2023

The Kupala Brighton website has been set up by Vladyslava Bondar and Marek Kohn. Please support their work by visiting the site and following their social media.

https://kupalabrighton.org/

https://www.standforukrainebnh.org/

Polina's work is here:

polinashepherd.co.uk

the 150 Voices project is here (we worked together on the UK recordings)

Amnesty UK

The title of this episode is from the poem by Jacinta. 

With support from:

https://www.indiaandme.com/

https://www.sussex.ac.uk/cweh/

https://twitter.com/JacintaKerkett2

https://www.bestfootmusic.net/

Topics include; Unlearning,  decision-making processes,  the 'right' voice, micro and macro biases and thinking from the margin.

The 4th and final part of this conversation will be published Friday 31st July 9.00 am UK time.

150 Voices CD/Download

Polina Shepherd Website

More about the 150 Voices Project

YIVO Institute for Jewish Research

Links to some of the discussions in this chapter:

Jane Austen & Edward Said

https://www.jstor.org/stable/1344068

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Styles_and_themes_of_Jane_Austen#Role_of_colonialism

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orientalism_(book)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture_and_Imperialism

https://blacklivesmatter.com/

https://blacklivesmatter.com/our-co-founders/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Birth_of_a_Nation

It features the music of Anna Lazareva. 

You can find the full recording session with Anna here: https://bestfootmusic.bandcamp.com/album/anna-lazareva

Record labels and musicians mentioned in this episode

https://www.babazula.com/

https://open.spotify.com/artist/39zIRxvWFOGGH4hxGqRkLy?si=JA74JRZrT029x-T8sOELeA

Double Moon Records

https://www.challengerecords.com/catalogue/7/