Following
the successful visit by Andy Lowings and the Gold Lyre to Baghdad, the team was
invited to perform at the Iraqi Cultural Centre, London.
This
time there were more performers, and more lyres, namely the Gold Lyre, the Silver
Lyre, and a small Pharaonic lyre.
The audience
was enormously enthusiastic, and so pleased to see the replica lyres being played
once again. The parallel between the re-birth of the Gold Lyre, and the re-birth
of Iraq, was not lost on anyone.
A new
venture was to have a singer, Stef Conner, who sang poems in Akkadian, Arabic
and English. She had also composed the music for these songs, which were rapturously
received. Also Jon Letcher joined in with the dulcimer, known in Iraq as a santor,
and this was also popular.
Keith Jobling
was the technician behind the Powerpoint presentation, given by Andy Lowings at
the beginning of the performance. This set the scene for what was to follow.
Jennifer
Sturdy performed two poems and narrated a story, accompanied by the lyre: she,
Stef and Andy were in costume, with authentic jewellery. Backdrops of Iraqi scenes
were created by Amin Al Shati.
Many photos
were taken, and interviews given. It was most successful and our thanks go to
everyone at the Iraqi Cultural Centre, especially Dr Abdul Rahman, Amin Al Shati
and their colleagues.
We look forward to
performing for other Iraqi communities in the UK.
Presentations &
