refugees


Ako Ismail had to leave his home country but he is still committed to telling its stories


This film tells the story of Azad, a


survivor of the Halabja chemical attack on March 16 1988, who had lived in Birmingham for 20 years and who, until now, had never shared his experiences. The event was opened by the Lord


Showing the reality of war


M


yself and another Kurdish journalist, now living in the north east of England, have made a documentary, The


Smell of Apples, and an exhibition, One Day Changes, that tell stories about the long-lasting impact of war and its consequences on our homeland and surrounding areas.


The exhibition and film have been


shown in various venues in three cities and more screenings are likely in the upcoming months. Myself and Shahor Omar fled our homeland in Iraqi Kurdistan to seek refuge in Britain. We have been closely supported and mentored by the Sunderland, South Shields and Hartlepool NUJ branch of which we are now members, The inspiration for the film came


when I was documenting the daily life of children in a refugee camp and thought about how one day changed their lives entirely – language, space, home, friends and everything else. Yet they still lived in the moment, playing, making friends, enjoying small things. We can learn from that story; the


children were so brave not to give up regardless of what happened to them. Omar, who lives in Stockton on Tees,


believes that everything in our lives is a story – happiness, sadness, failure, love, peace, war and survival. Moreover, he says he saw war as a child and it opened his eyes. “I used to hear the sound of explosions. When I started to work in the media, I was only 19. I had an idea to work for peace, not war. I want my photos and film to show the brutal aspect of war.” We have both experienced trauma in our families and our own lives through war and oppression, and the risks of working in the media because of terrorism and censorship and repercussions. We have witnessed political instability and unrest and, as photojournalists, we need to document what is happening. This exhibition comprises a


selection of images that explore the theme of One Day for Holocaust Memorial Day this year and was a key part of Skimstone Arts’ radio and live event where the The Smell of Apples premiered.


“ ”


We have both experienced trauma through war and oppression, and the risks of working in the media because of terrorism and censorship


Mayor of Newcastle in January at Newcastle City Library. The Smell of Apples was directed by Claire Webster Saaremets, artistic director of Skimstone Arts. She said: “We’re honoured to be able to show this poignant exhibition and support the creation of the featured film The Smell of Apples with audiences at Newcastle City Library, Pop Recs in Sunderland on the anniversary of the Halabja chemical attack and St John’s College, Durham University in May and


Newcastle University for Refugee Week in June. “This exhibition comes at a


time when the world is being confronted with the realities of war


daily as new atrocities unfold in Ukraine. “One Day Changes aims to encourage people to explore how humanity can share understanding, care and support that positively affects people’s traumatic lives. By witnessing and acknowledging people’s experiences, we can learn more about the past and work together to take action to create a safer future.” One Day Changes was shown alongside original music from Skimstone Arts’ Reality Boots and Ensemble. There was also film, poetry and spoken word inspired by real-life stories, research and lived experiences, to explore how a better future can be built. Lord Mayor of Newcastle Habib


Rahman, who attended the event, said: “Unless and until we get to hear these testimonies in unique and mesmerising ways will we learn, and once we learn we will say no... we must learn and for us to learn organisations such as Skimstone, it is vital for you to create the platform and the opportunity. I am very proud that this local authority, this city of Newcastle was able to sponsor you.”


theJournalist | 15


OLEG ELKOV / ALAMY STOCK PHOTO


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