March 13-20, 2016: Lesbos - We worked in the “Moria” camp, a gathering point for people coming from Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan and other areas. We brought musical instruments and set up a circle in the “Better Days for Moria” NGO area, meeting music/dance artists.
What are the really hard questions? How to conduct the research? When do we step in or step back? How do we create an atmosphere conducive to sharing? How to create the space for people to come forth?
People seem relaxed. We find the same sense of decorum, dignity, and repose in the other refugee camps on the island, such as Kara Tepe, a few kilometers to the south. The official in charge there, Stavros, runs a strict checkpoint, but after hearing our request to exchange music with the refugees, he welcomes us with these words: “We have no refugees here. We have only guests.”
