The artistic director of "Dear Children, Sincerely," which was performed at The Arts Center at NYU Abu Dhabi joins us to talk about this powerful theater collaboration between Rwanda and Sri Lanka. Ruwanthie de Chickera shares the inspiration behind the project, its unique approach to intergenerational dialogue, and the profound impact of connecting with elders who witnessed pivotal historical shifts. Ruwanthie also shares personal anecdotes about growing up in civil war-torn Sri Lanka, the unexpected insights gained from interviewing the generation born in the 1930s, and the moving experience of bringing these stories to a diverse audience at NYU Abu Dhabi. Discover how personal histories intertwine with national narratives, revealing the complexities of post-colonial identity, the nuances of human relationships in shaping history, and the enduring power of hope and collective action.

The performance 👉 https://publicprograms.nyuad.nyu.edu/en/the-arts-center/events/2025/september/dear-children-sincerely.html#tab-0-about

0:00 Introduction

1:32 The Artistic Director's Journey Into Theater

3:20 Sri Lanka's Tumultuous Yet Joyful Upbringing During the Civil War

10:12 The Vision: Interviewing Elders Born in the 1930s

11:10 The Significance of the "Independence Generation"

13:10 The Hopes and Realities of Post-Colonial Nation Building

14:51 Pushing Past Nostalgia: Self-Critical Reflections from Elders

18:27 The Structure of the "Dear Children, Sincerely" Project and Productions

20:11 The Emotional Impact of the Transcripts and Near Misses

22:34 History Made by Human Relations, Not Grand Scales

23:51 Nagalingam Edirisinghe's Story: Gold Medal Amidst Riots

29:20 The Hope of Youth in Rebuilding Nations

29:38 Sri Lanka's Lack of National Identity at Independence

30:57 Performing "Dear Children, Sincerely" at NYU Abu Dhabi

34:25 The Legacy of Harshana Rambukwella: A Dedication to Connection

40:03 Transitioning to an Elder: Advice for Younger Generations

41:37 Finding Hope in Global Challenges: The Sri Lankan Uprising

Ruwanthie de Chickera is an award-winning playwright, screenwriter, theater director, actor trainer, and cultural activist. She is the founder and artistic director of Stages Theatre Group. She has written and directed over 30 original plays and two screen plays. The first play she wrote, at the age of 19, won her international recognition and pivoted her into Sri Lankan theater. Her first film, Machan, is recognized as a watershed moment in Sri Lankan cinema, having won several international and local awards and was screened in over 50 countries. 

Connect with  Ruwanthie de Chickera 👉 https://instagram.com/ruwanthiedechickeraofficial

Hosted by Mikey Muhanna

Connect directly with Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://instagram.com/mikey_mu

Theme music: Peninsular, Tarek Yamani 🔊 https://spoti.fi/47I59ns

Hosted by: Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu

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