ThomasTALK : Searching for a home (country)

The Garden of Eden: A Far From Paradise Region

This ThomasTalk will focus on stories about our search for identity in relation to home. In particular, it will explore the lives of ‘ordinary people’ throughout the ages in an area historically known as Mesopotamia. This area includes large parts of modern-day Syria, Turkey and Iraq. It is an area full of history and stories, with mythical sites such as the Biblical Nineveh (near modern-day Mosul in Iraq).

The Garden of Eden is also positioned here. In the past century it has been far from paradise and the region has been marked by war, conflict, genocide and exile.

Dreaming about a better future

We mirror ourselves in stories about the fate, suffering and life of the inhabitants who are often forgotten or ignored. How do you continue to dream about a better future for yourself, your loved ones and your people in a context of war and conflict? Is there enough attention for 'ordinary people' and their existence? Or does everything in the world revolve around (political) rulers, despots and rebels?

Guests

A number of special guests will discuss the present, past and future of Mesopotamia:

– Artist Rushdi Anwar speaks online about his art installations in the exhibition Endless Tears in the Garden of Eden and about his country that is no more, Kurdistan in West Asia.

– Journalist and writer Ana van Es talks about her book, The Baghdad-Berlin Express (2024) and the area known as the Middle East since the beginning of the 20th century.

– Filmmaker Reber Dosky talks about his film Sidik and the Panther, the country in thoughts and memories, Kurdistan.

– Singer Wasim Arslan, originally from Aleppo in Syria, will make a special musical contribution this evening with his magical voice.

The evening will be presented and moderated by theologian and programme maker Bart-Jan van Gaart