The Siwan Project

In this episode Pedram Khavarzamini, who plays the Tombak in Siwan, speaks about what it was like growing up in Iran and learning to play his instrument illegally.

In this episode we meet violinist Bjarte Eike. He is the artistic director of Barokksolistene, the string group who are part of Siwan.

In this episode we meet Derya Türkan, who plays the kemenche in Siwan.

In this episode we meet one of the percussionists in Siwan, Helge Andreas Norbakken.

In this episode we’re exploring the lives of Princess Wallada and Ibn Zaydun. Some of their poetry is featured in Hafla, Siwan’s third studio album. We’re joined again by Professor Raymond Farrin, Dr Fitzroy Morissey and Professor Amira Bennison to learn more about this pair who produced such captivating and rich poetry marveled at nearly a thousand years later.This series was narrated and produced by Emily Naylor.

In this episode we explore the life and work of the polymath Ibn Hazm, born in 994 AD. His poetry is featured in Siwan’s third studio album, Hafla. We’re joined by Professor Raymond Farrin from the American University of Kuwait. The poetry is voiced by Phoebe McIndoe and Julian Gonzalez Ferro.This series was narrated and produced by Emily Naylor.