Shadowlands of Democracy

The world is marked by deep global tensions threatening freedom of expression and human rights. Through words, music and images — with voices from Sudan, Iran, Afghanistan, Norway, and Gaza — we explore the shadowlands of democracy and reflect on the fragile lines between safety and abuse of power.

"Democracy dies in darkness," says Mohamedou Slahi. For the sake of free speech, democracy, and humanity, we shed light on the places kept in shadow.

The Mauritanian author Mohamedou Slahi was imprisoned for 14 years at Guantánamo Bay without charge or trial. In Shadowlands of Democracy, he appears as a storyteller and reads from his 2015 memoir Guantánamo Diary.

Featured artists include Iranian singer Arya Aramnejad, known for his protest song “Ali Barkhiz,” which condemned the Islamic regime's crimes during the Ashura protests in 2009 — leading to his imprisonment and torture. Sudanese political cartoonist and civil rights activist Khalid Albaih joins, along with Afghan musician and teacher Hamid Sakhizada, who fled after threats from the Taliban. Norwegian vocalist Solveig Slettahjell presents Shadowlands of Democracy, a four-part piece built on a Palestinian folk tune with lyrics by Erik Hillestad and arrangements by Aleksander Waaktaar and Tord Gustavsen.

Palestinian singer Mohammed Elsusi, Stavanger’s 14th City of Refuge artist, also performs. His band “Revolution Makers” was banned in Gaza. Their music speaks of corruption, poverty, unemployment, and the double oppression by Israel’s occupation and Hamas governance.

Based on the concert performance from the Arts of Democracy festival at Bodø2024, in collaboration with ICORN – International Cities of Refuge Network.

Programme:

• Mohamedou Slahi: Excerpts from Guantánamo Diary

• Solveig Slettahjell: Shadowlands of Democracy

• Hamid Sakhizada: Judging

• Arya Aramnejad: Wrong Address

• Mohammed Elsusi: Music and rap

Stavanger Symphony Orchestra:

• Astor Piazzolla – Libertango

• Arvo Pärt – Fratres

• Jessie Montgomery – Strum for string orchestra

• Arne Nordheim – Nachruf

• Philip Glass – 957 Award Montage from Mishima

Performers:

• Torodd Wigum, conductor

• Mohamedou Slahi, storyteller

• Khalid Albaih, cartoonist

• Erik Hillestad, curator & producer

• Solveig Slettahjell, vocals

• Arya Aramnejad, vocals

• Hamid Sakhizada, vocals & dambura

• Mohammed Elsusi, music & rap

• Ertan Tekin, duduk

• Tord Gustavsen, piano

• Kenneth Ekornes, percussion

Organiser:
Stavanger Symphony Orchestra