Based on the poetry of Tunisian poet Najet Adouani, Peter Machajdík's composition, titled Mit den Augen eines Falken for mandolin and guitar was composed in 2016.
For Najet Adouani, who was born in southern Tunisia in 1956, the Arab Spring (wave of pro-democracy protests and uprisings that took place in the Middle East and North Africa beginning in 2010 and 2011, challenging some of the region’s entrenched authoritarian regimes) did not bring more freedoms, but fewer. In 2012, the poet, writer and journalist had to flee: the Salafists, who are increasingly shaping the public discourse in Tunisia, put her on the “black list” because of her critical texts and poems in which she advocates freedom of expression and the rights of women. set. She sets off hastily – and secretly.
Najet Adouani: “I packed a small bag. Sat paralyzed on the bed a few hours before my flight. I didn't say goodbye to my mother or my sons. They thought I was going on vacation. There was only emptiness in my head. Cold. My eyes were blind.”
Sooft ich davonflieg, weit fort,
weil sich ein Unheil anbahnt
zwischen mir und meinem Land,
zwinkert ein Stern
seiner Erwählten am Himmel zu.
Gemeinsam sind zu mir sie aufgestiegen
Und haben meine Verse rezitiert:
Hier wurde ich geboren,
von hier aus habe ich mich aufgemacht
mit den Augen eines Falken,
mit den Flügeln einer Taube,
mit einer Kehle aus Messing.
Commissioned by the German Duo Ahlert & Schwab
First performance: 12 February 2017, Herz Jesu Kirche, Bochum, Germany
Duo Ahlert & Schwab
For Najet Adouani, who was born in southern Tunisia in 1956, the Arab Spring (wave of pro-democracy protests and uprisings that took place in the Middle East and North Africa beginning in 2010 and 2011, challenging some of the region’s entrenched authoritarian regimes) did not bring more freedoms, but fewer. In 2012, the poet, writer and journalist had to flee: the Salafists, who are increasingly shaping the public discourse in Tunisia, put her on the “black list” because of her critical texts and poems in which she advocates freedom of expression and the rights of women. set. She sets off hastily – and secretly.
Najet Adouani: “I packed a small bag. Sat paralyzed on the bed a few hours before my flight. I didn't say goodbye to my mother or my sons. They thought I was going on vacation. There was only emptiness in my head. Cold. My eyes were blind.”
Sooft ich davonflieg, weit fort,
weil sich ein Unheil anbahnt
zwischen mir und meinem Land,
zwinkert ein Stern
seiner Erwählten am Himmel zu.
Gemeinsam sind zu mir sie aufgestiegen
Und haben meine Verse rezitiert:
Hier wurde ich geboren,
von hier aus habe ich mich aufgemacht
mit den Augen eines Falken,
mit den Flügeln einer Taube,
mit einer Kehle aus Messing.
Commissioned by the German Duo Ahlert & Schwab
First performance: 12 February 2017, Herz Jesu Kirche, Bochum, Germany
Duo Ahlert & Schwab