Radio show to celebrate those who are a light in the darkness.
On Monday 25, Tuesday 26 and Wednesday 27 January at 12.30pm listeners are being invited to tune in to Who Holds the Torch? three days of live 30 minute radio broadcasts shared via Newcastle based Skimstone Arts’ internet radio station, Skimstone Radio to mark Holocaust Memorial Day 2021.
This is a chance for people to join presenters Kema Sikazwe and Claire Webster Saaremets and hear specially created songs and stories made with Skimstone musicians, Newcastle residents, refugee families, young people and artists from around the world which celebrate being a light in the darkness, the theme for this year’s memorial day as chosen by the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust.
As Claire Webster Saarement, Artistic Director of Skimstone Arts explains:
“In these continuing challenging times, our radio broadcasts share hope, resilience, humour and humanness that celebrate the amazing inspiration we can get from each other’s positive actions, especially in times of hardship”.
“We have an amazing breadth of work to broadcast. Listeners can hear an original song about our Bosnian friend Smajo Beso’s Auntie who kept everyone going during the conflict until she was tragically killed, spoken word pieces inspired by Professor of German Studies & Cultural History at Newcastle University Professor Beate Muller’s research about people opening their doors to strangers, putting themselves and their families at risk as well as thoughts and interviews about being a ‘torch bearer’ and what we can all do to shed some light in the world now. Our own Young Artist Collective, Echo Artists and our professional band of musicians have all worked together to respond to these amazing stories by making original songs and audio works. You might even find yourself singing one when making a cup of tea!”
The Who Holds the Torch? radio show can be accessed on Monday 25, Tuesday 26 and
Wednesday 27 January via a link which will be available from Skimstone Arts’ website at
Holocaust Memorial Day takes place on 27 January each year, the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. For more information about Holocaust Memorial Day visit www.hmd.org.uk. Find out about Holocaust Memorial Day events taking place in Newcastle upon Tyne at www.newcastle.gov.uk/services/holocaust-memorial-day-newcastle-2021.
Who Holds the Torch? is presented by Skimstone Arts working with communities across Newcastle and funded by Newcastle City Council. Special thanks to Professor Beate Muller, Professor of German Studies & Cultural History at Newcastle University, for her research which has inspired some of the songs featured in Who Holds the Torch? Smajo Beso, Bosnian survivor and Marta Josephs, daughter of Auschwitz survivor.
Skimstone Arts is supported using public funding from Newcastle City Council, Arts Council
England, Youth Music, Well Newcastle Gateshead, Quaker Legacy Fund, Big Lottery Community Fund, Community Foundation Tyne and Wear.
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