Elisabeth:
Hey Rasha, habibi! How is the film festival in Haifa? I am on the run to a reportage at the sea. I’ll take our intern, so he can hold the mic and organize some Fischbrötchen. Very convenient. Shall we have an intern at Radio Solitude?
Rasha:
Good morning habibi, sorry for being late to answer. These days are super crazy. I wish I could record the sounds of the days here. The film festival is going well, starting in two days. I like the idea of an intern. But I guess what’s special at Radio Solitude is the feeling that each one of the former fellows and the fellows that are in the residency can take part in it, and I think that what we want to build in the future, that the radio will live by itself from the fellows and their stories. What do you think Liz? And how much does that connect to the first idea we had?
Elisabeth:
Hey Rasha, sure it was just an idea. And a silly idea as I thought when I was going around with that intern. Such a lazy person but self confident as a fat cat. I just wanted to shake him. »Don’t you have at least one question?! Are you not interested in anything here?!?« Radio Solitude should be the opposite. Curious questions everywhere, also from the people we are doing interviews with. We have to winkle out curiosity, especially out of the listeners. You know, the best compliment I ever got for a radio piece was: »Man, Liz, I just had to pull over the car and listen to it. It was so gripping.« Unfortunately I forgot what story that was. Couldn’t that be an aim: winkle out curiosity? There are so many interesting people at Schloss Solitude: writers, hedonists, doubters, philosophers, travelers, scientists, musicians, believers, soccer players, cooks, even some loners. And from almost every country in the world. Didn’t Mr Joly say, that even somebody from Saudi Arabia applied for a residency? I want to meet all of them!
Oh, and what is one of your favorite podcasts lately? Mine is this one. It’s just another refugee story. But I really sat there and just listened. Very fine storytelling I think: https://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/560/abdi-and-the-golden-ticket
Rasha:
I agree with you so much! I think Radio Solitude should winkle out curiosity. and I think it’s part of the place’s spirit: full of intriguing people! I guess it’s how it all started actually… when I arrived in Solitude, my main project was to write and search on the presence of Arabic culture in Germany specifically, and Europe in generally, and then started to know the fellows more, and listening to their stories, and getting to know the cultures that they came from through their own perspective, music, experiences and stories… So then I said, these great stories and voices should be known and listen to also outside the Schloss! And with my passion for voices and audio, I came up with the radio idea… and then while talking to Clara about it, she mentioned you, and that you are coming on October 2016 again for a second month – that was in July 2016. And then all that started to come true as soon as you arrived; the idea we had, how it grew step by step… And then those beautiful interviews with the fellows.. Even with as much as we had already spoken with each one, the interviews for the radio had me even more curios about each one story; their art, traveling, writing, etc. It opened a lot of new windows to the world. I think that Radio Solitude for me is a space that we get to know cultures and places through people, through natural and real talks. For me too, people are the places.
Thanks for the link! actually I don’t have favorite podcast lately… I am reading more than listening to podcasts, I should listen more… though there are very few podcast in Arabic. I hope there will be more soon, because I believe in the power of voices and audio – and their closeness to people’s hearts. But I decided to send you a song I am listening a lot to lately: Home by Passenger:
This song is so close to my feelings this period.
Elisabeth:
no, that’s too cheesy for me. What I never get tired of listening to is this one. I’ve had it on my player for 6 years now, I think:
Rasha:
Lovely song.
I am too busy these days with the film festival, but full of Energy –
Tell me, what was one of the greatest experience for you while we were interviewing fellows during October and then during one week in November?
Elisabeth:
oh man, one question for everything. I don’t like greatest things. Hmm… I think I already loved what I love about my job anyway. I have the right to ask everybody everything. Most of the time people really answer. And there are just such interesting characters at Schloss. And they aren’t strangers but friends. But, of course, then asking questions gets a bit tricky. You don’t wanna make them feel uncomfortable. But on the other hand they tell you more than they would tell a stranger. So I think all in all you (and also the listener!) win more than you lose by interviewing friends and companions. A special situation? Hm, maybe the interview with Yania after the very strong and almost aggressive discussion on Cuba the night before?
Rasha:
I love your answer Liz.
And I agree with what you mentioned. Especially the issue of »loving my job«. I decided long time ago that I will work and do only things I love. Sometimes, or almost, it’s the hard way. But it always worth it.
Radio Solitude is also something I love. And it includes lots of elements that I love too; radio, friends, stories, journalism, cultures…great friend to work with (you) and a beautiful place: Solitude.
Elisabeth:
Sweet! And do you have a special situation that was something like the greatest experience?
Rasha:
All the moments, the talks, that I wish I had the chance to record.
Good night from Solitude,
See you tomorrow.