Saturday, January 13th. National March For Palestine, London, UK.

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

Conversations with local Ukrainian people and soundscape of incidental music, and ambience at the Made For Ukraine fundraiser event in All Saints Church, Hove, 21st October 2023.

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

A fabulous afternoon event, organised by by members of the local Ukranian community. Held in Preston Park on Sunday 9th July.

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/

Sounds recorded approaching, in and around the Qutub Shahi Tombs, Hyderabad. The 7 tombs were built between 1550 and 1667. The large domed structures create a natural reverb and are stunningly beautiful to walk around.

Soundscape from Nagpur, including a musician outside Deekshabhoomi, where B. R. Ambedkar converted to Buddhism as an action against the caste system and street sounds from the Itwari market district.

Soundscape made on the train journey from Hyderabad to Balharshah.

Gond people drumming, Chatgaon, Maharashtra, Jungle sounds and music from Markbodi. All recorded during events taking place on International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples 9th of August.

Our last few days in Gadchiroli include; a candy floss vendor arriving outside the house, monsoon rains, a school choir, distant drums from a funeral on the far side of the river Kathani, morning sounds and insects on our final evening before making the journey to Hyderabad for our flight home (Hyderabad will be in the next episode)

Soundscape recording made in Gadchiroli, Maharashtra, whilst visiting family. Includes street and nature sounds, Sunday market and Tajuddin Muhammad Badruddin parade.

We were invited along with our friend and collaborator Polina Shepherd to discuss music as a form of activism, at the Amnesty International annual UK Student conference, at the Amnesty UK headquarters in London. Thanks to Poppy Sheward Skelton for arranging this, conducting the interview and all her hard work and interest in what we do, also thanks to Amnesty for giving us a platform at their event. 

Polina's work is here:

polinashepherd.co.uk

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

Amnesty UK