A new version of Chekov’s play The Three Sisters, re-imagined during the Troubles, might cause even the most avid of theatre-goers to balk. Re-workings of The Three Sisters are nothing new. But in taking up the challenge, the Northern Ireland novelist and playwright Lucy Caldwell sets the production in the 1990s - the time of … Continue reading “Three Sisters” Norn Iron style
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Haiku to Landai – poetry in motion
We have delivered workshops to Afghan women via skype again! Only this time it was from the Seamus Heaney Centre for Poetry, and I was with my esteemed colleague Professor Sinead Morrissey. With the support of the School of English at Queen's University, and the British Council offices in both Northern Ireland and Kabul, this … Continue reading Haiku to Landai – poetry in motion
From Belfast to Kabul – with love!
The Afghan women work on their interview questions I have just delivered a two-day workshop on interviewing skills, for 20 or so Afghan women, from my home office in Belfast! How was this possible? Through the miracles of modern science - and in particular, skype! Let me explain. It has been a long time since … Continue reading From Belfast to Kabul – with love!
The game is on again
Today the Independent Electoral Commission announced the final figures for the presidential election. This is after they have taken into account all of the complaints made by the different candidates. As predicted, the front-runner, Abdullah Abdullah, has not reached 50 per cent plus one. So there will be a run off between him and his … Continue reading The game is on again
Back in the land of craggy mountains – and crazy traffic!
So I'm back in Kabul - in 2014 - the year the wheels are supposed to come off Afghanistan. So how is it? Well, there is still no new President, there have been rocket attacks in the city, and legislation outlawing violence against women is even further away (http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/04/afghanistan-law-victims-violence-women ). But the sky is blue, … Continue reading Back in the land of craggy mountains – and crazy traffic!
I hate to leave but I’m dying to go
So I’m back in the decompression zone of Dubai – the never-never land of the adult. It seemed I had only just finally come to terms with the fact I was back in Afghanistan, after so many years of dreaming of being there, and then I was leaving again. Yesterday I spent a morning crushing … Continue reading I hate to leave but I’m dying to go
How the other half live
I have been living a low key life here in Kabul; being driven in a normal saloon car; not walking on the street; not really going out at night. I’m not under any illusions that I am really living like an Afghan, but I’ve been spending more time with Afghans than with westerners. But I … Continue reading How the other half live
Ma Afghanistana khost darum – I love Afghanistan
I’ve come to realise that this project is a thought-provoking one – if that is not a complete understatement. It is fascinating to hear the women’s stories, and so many of those that I have interviewed have told me how important they think it is that the voices of Afghan women are heard across the … Continue reading Ma Afghanistana khost darum – I love Afghanistan
Women Spread the Word
The internet set up in our house is fantastic – but only when it works – hence the rather sporadic nature of these posts! So finally I have come to meet the women writers here in Afghanistan - and I have been blown away by their stories I left for the offices of the Afghan Women’s … Continue reading Women Spread the Word
The new Kabul
I am back on Afghan soil! I am so excited to be here – and yet, I still can’t quite believe it. I sat on the plane from Dubai with my laptop on my knee, furiously typing in my impressions of the journey, and the next minute the stewardess was announcing that we were to … Continue reading The new Kabul