On stage, unique artists with roots in different cultures come together, united by a common drive: to express themselves through music and poetry—often at great personal risk. For these artists, art is about existence, survival, and human dignity.

We will experience vocalist Ghawgha from Afghanistan, the Norwegian-Sámi joiker and songwriter Marja Mortensson, and the Egyptian protest singer Ramy Essam, known as one of the most important voices of the Arab Spring. Mohammed Elsusi, Stavanger’s 14th City of Refuge artist, and Abu Joury—both Palestinian singers rooted in Arabic music and contemporary expression—contribute powerful musical narratives.

Poets from around the world challenge and move us with poetry that gives voice to resistance, hope, and identity. Eritrean poet and journalist Haile Bizen, Iranian feminist poet Fatemeh Ekhtesari, and Azerbaijani author and war witness Gunel Movlud — all based in Norway — are known for their strong, political voices in exile. Angolan poet and performance artist Aaiún Nin challenges norms and power structures with a queer, Black gaze. Mansur Rajih from Yemen and Selma M. Yonus from Iraq, both former City of Refuge artists in Stavanger, write poignantly about oppression, exile, and the longing for dignity and belonging.

Stavanger Symphony Orchestra embarks on a stylistic journey with the vocalists, and also contributes with classical excerpts.

In collaboration with the International Cities of Refuge Network (ICORN) and Rogaland Teater.

The concert is part of the program for Kapittel and Freedom of Expression City Stavanger in the anniversary year Stavanger 2025.