[Please circulate to interested parties]

Dear All,

Last weekend a posse of people from SOAS (about 30 of us) went to Calais in
Northern France, a voyage of solidarity with the thousands of migrants who
are stuck in that town trying to get to Britain. They live in an overcrowded
camp on the sand dunes, called the "Jungle".

One aspect of our trip was musical. We are working with the notion that
music, song and dance are a fundamental HUMAN RIGHT, and should be formally
recognised as such.

We also see music, song and dance as a special way towards empowerment of
people who otherwise have little or no power - as is the case of the
migrants in Calais.

Music makes a stand. Music resists oppression. Music is fundamentally
subversive - it flows through borders, over barbed wire, under prison doors.
Music mixes, spreads and blends and hybridises with joyous promiscuity.

Our next trip will be on the weekend of FRIDAY 4 to SUNDAY 6 DECEMBER. You
are invited to join that trip. The costs are roughly £45 for the return
coach fare, and  £15 per night for the hostel.

You are invited to join that trip. For further details write to

[log in to unmask]

In addition to the musical activity, there will be plenty of scope for
practical helping in the camp. Cooking, cleaning, helping with clothing
distribution etc. Willing hands are always needed.

We are hoping to bring Arabic and Kurdish musicians and singers to Calais to 
do a couple of concerts in the Jungle.

During our trip last weekend we were able to make several short music videos
with people in the camp. Here are four of them. They are rather wonderful.

1. Sarwar Mahmud is Kurdish from Suleimaniyah (Iraq). He sang a piece with
our santur player providing the accompaniment. You will find the clip here:

https://youtu.be/AO6U6ujgfnc

2. An unnamed singer from Iraq also sang a song with our santurist. You will
find the clip here:

https://youtu.be/FqxJWqePYNA

3. On Saturday evening, on the "high street" in the middle of the camp,
Iranian Kurds had taken over the space (when passing cars allowed), and they
did a vigorous Kurdish dance, while other nationalities in the camp looked
on. A strong moment. You will find them here:

https://youtu.be/bSD0RqbomDk

4. And another remarkable recording of Sarwar Mahmud, with a vocal
improvisation in the middle:

https://youtu.be/UwiwhhhT2Sk

The point about these videos is that they offer a window onto the joys and
beauties of life in the Jungle. Too often people on the outside have a
victimist view of the Jungle. In fact the place is full of energy,
creativity, constructive activity and undying hope. It is so important to
remember this.

Please note: We are also beginning to build towards creating a "MUSIC 
FESTIVAL OF THE MIGRANTS" [Fête Musicale des Migrants], to be held in Calais 
on 20 June 2016. That is the date of World Refugee Day. It is also the day 
before France's national music day. Ironic counterpoint.

All musicians from everywhere are invited to come to Calais for that day.

With best regards,

Ed Emery