Words are an integral feature of humanity’s development and history is brimming with instances where they have either been responsible for building or destroying. Fully aware of their latent power, a motivated lady in Abu Dhabi is using words to help people deal with wounds and loss, as well as to promote the city’s cultural horizons. Through poetry, Bahareh Amidi has reached out to the disadvantaged in the community, by establishing a poetry event to give anyone in the city a voice.
The woman behind the words
Bahareh Amidi is an Iranian American who has been living in the city for just over four years. With a PhD in Educational Psychology, Bahareh came across the concept of poetry therapy nearly two years ago and was instantly intrigued.
‘For me, poetry is raw truth with light,’ she says. She learnt more about the subject from the Institute of Poetic Medicine and its founder John Fox, who subsequently became a close friend and collaborator. Together, they will be hosting talks and workshops about poetry therapy scheduled for December in Abu Dhabi.
Bahareh began composing poetry two years ago and immediately noted the potential of prose for healing. ‘I knew of the relevance of art and healing through my studies, but poetry and healing is something I experienced first-hand when I started to let my own wounds breathe and see the rays of light.’ Since then, Bahareh has composed hundreds of poems and has established a YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/user/baharehlive) as well as being featured at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, the Emirates Literary Festival as well as speaking at TEDxAbuDhabi about poetry therapy.
Community outreach
Through her involvement with established community outreach programmes such as Bus Raids, Bahareh went on to develop activities with labour camps as well as safe houses for women. At the labour camps, Bahareh used to volunteer on Fridays in a class that taught labourers English. During one session, she began by reciting a poem and following the positive response, she began workshops that allowed the men to compose and recite their thoughts through poetry. A similar path was followed with the safe houses; she introduced herself during one session as a storyteller and found that the ladies were very receptive to the idea.
Each session begins with Bahareh reciting a poem, after telling the group to keep an open mind and listen with an open heart. Often one phrase or word will catch the attention of the audience and they will use this as a springboard in composing their own poems. After the reading, the group will spend five to seven minutes writing about feelings and images. ‘It is a bit like breathing. When you start to write you realise you always knew how to write poetry, even if you had never tried it. It is very empowering.’
This is followed by sharing in a circle. Although many are often shy and reluctant to share, Bahareh gently coaxes them by establishing a safe and non-judgmental environment.
‘It is important for the words to be said in the voice of the writer as that is when the healing starts to happen.’ Bahareh tells us how even poetry in a foreign language can move us and so she encourages her group to read their work even if it is not translated.
Speak Abu Dhabi
In addition to her outreach activities, Bahareh is also the creator of Speak Abu Dhabi; an event that features live poetry reading with music. On November 14, the second edition of Speak Abu Dhabi will take place at the theatre at Paris Sorbonne University. The event will include readings from the works of Rumi, Darwish and Baudelaire, in English, Arabic and French, as well as giving many young and aspiring authors a chance to share their works as well.
‘The purpose of Speak Abu Dhabi is to bridge the gap between East and West and to transcend colour, race, gender and religion and just shine light.’ Among the speakers at the event is young Emirati poet Hamdah Khalfan Al Mansouri, who uses her poetry to escape the confines of her wheel chair, along with award-winning poets Geeta Chhabra and Dorian ‘Paul D’ Rogers, and others.
Doors open at 7pm and recitals begin at 7.30pm sharp. Entrance is free, and there are a free shuttle busses running from Dubai and Al Ain. To RSVP or learn more about the event, visit the event’s Facebook page at (search under Events for ‘Speak Abu Dhabi’). If you would like to volunteer or for more information email Bahareh at connect@bahareh.com.
