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DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20251005T150000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20251005T173000
DTSTAMP:20260430T193557
CREATED:20250830T191934Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250830T195641Z
UID:10000554-1759676400-1759685400@counterpoints.org.uk
SUMMARY:Creative Peer Meetup and Sharing: Leaving Were the Ones Who Could Not Stay
DESCRIPTION:Metal Peterborough present a reflective session with exhibiting artists Olga Jurgenson and Idit Nathan\, part of a long-standing mentoring group.\nCo-commissioned and presented as part of the Platforma Festival (October 2025)\, produced by Counterpoints Arts. \nFull information and free booking  \nLeaving Were The Ones Who Could Not Stay is an exhibition presented by the Broadway Gallery in Letchworth featuring the work of Beverley Carruthers\, Bettina Furnée\, Olga Jürgenson and Idit Elia Nathan as part of Platforma 2025. \nThe exhibition features four Cambridge-based artists who explore the socio-political forces shaping familial bonds\, migration\, and intergenerational memory. Through sound\, video\, collage\, and interactive installations\, they draw on personal histories\, interviews\, found material and family archives to reimagine borders\, displacement\, and the meaning of home. \nThis collectively created project encourages sharing of prescient stories of migration and displacement to question societal change and bonds. \nImage: Olga Jurgenson_Aleksander and Arnold from Snezhinki (Snowflakes). 2025 prints on mixed media\, collaged on paper\, 42×59.4 cm \nAbout Platforma in Peterborough \nPlatforma 2025 in Peterborough is produced by 62 Gladstone Street\, a community-rooted arts space in the heart of Peterborough with a particular focus on supporting South Asian and MENA artists. Through exhibitions\, residencies\, and public programmes\, it provides a vital platform for underrepresented voices and fosters meaningful dialogue between artists and the wider community. \nPartners: Counterpoints Arts\, Landmark Theatres\, Peterborough Cultural Alliance\, Metal Peterborough\, Peterborough Presents\, Peterborough Museum\, HELP Charity & the Aziz Foundation \nDedication: “Our programme is dedicated to the innocent men\, women\, and children who have lost their lives\, those who have been displaced by war\, and all those seeking a safe place to call home.” \n62 Gladstone Street’s Platforma programme is supported by Arts Council England as and presented as part of the wider Platforma Festival across the East of England\, produced by Counterpoints Arts.
URL:https://counterpoints.org.uk/event/creative-peer-meetup-and-sharing-leaving-were-the-ones-who-could-not-stay/
LOCATION:Peterborough Museum and Art Gallery\, 51 Priestgate\, Peterborough\, PE1 1LF\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Platforma,Visual Arts
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20251006
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20251026
DTSTAMP:20260430T193557
CREATED:20250830T203815Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250830T203946Z
UID:10000560-1759708800-1761436799@counterpoints.org.uk
SUMMARY:Gateway Film Festival Programme
DESCRIPTION:Gateway Film Festival presents a series of free screenings of shorts and feature films\, in partnership with 62 Gladstone Street.\nCo-commissioned and presented as part of the Platforma Festival (October 2025)\, produced by Counterpoints Arts. \nProgramme listings: \n4 October 18:00: Britain & Refugees: Return to Life + Hostile \n11 October 16:00: Stories of Migration- Short Films \n11 October 18:00: Io Capitano (2024) \n18 October 16:00: Child Migrant Stories – Films of Home\, Sanctuary & War\n18 October 18:00: Focus on Women’s Experiences – Films & Director Q&A \n25 October 16:00: Lyd (2023) \n25 October 18:00; No Other Land (2024) \nBringing together venues and organisations in the Peterborough area\, the Gateway Film Festival launched in November 2019. Gateway aims to celebrate local history\, community as well as being Peterborough’s gateway to film culture from the past and around the world. \nAbout Platforma in Peterborough \nPlatforma 2025 in Peterborough is produced by 62 Gladstone Street\, a community-rooted arts space in the heart of Peterborough with a particular focus on supporting South Asian and MENA artists. Through exhibitions\, residencies\, and public programmes\, it provides a vital platform for underrepresented voices and fosters meaningful dialogue between artists and the wider community. \nPartners: Counterpoints Arts\, Landmark Theatres\, Peterborough Cultural Alliance\, Metal Peterborough\, Peterborough Presents\, Peterborough Museum\, HELP Charity & the Aziz Foundation \nDedication: “Our programme is dedicated to the innocent men\, women\, and children who have lost their lives\, those who have been displaced by war\, and all those seeking a safe place to call home.” \n62 Gladstone Street’s Platforma programme is supported by Arts Council England as and presented as part of the wider Platforma Festival across the East of England\, produced by Counterpoints Arts.
URL:https://counterpoints.org.uk/event/gateway-film-festival-programme/
LOCATION:Peterborough Museum and Art Gallery\, 51 Priestgate\, Peterborough\, PE1 1LF\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Film
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://counterpoints.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/io-capitano.jpeg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20251006T180000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20251006T193000
DTSTAMP:20260430T193557
CREATED:20250818T085429Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250818T085546Z
UID:10000549-1759773600-1759779000@counterpoints.org.uk
SUMMARY:Words of Welcome: In conversation with Marjorie Lotfi and George Szirtes
DESCRIPTION:Join award-winning poets Marjorie Lotfi and George Szirtes in conversation with Peggy Hughes of the National Centre for Writing for an evening of readings and reflection on the idea of sanctuary in poetry. \nThis special event marks the culmination of Words of Welcome\, a multilingual poetry exchange delivered by Norfolk Library and Information Service with Creative Arts East and National Centre for Writing. \nLotfi and Szirtes will read some of their work and share their own personal insights to celebrate the launch of a new collection of poems on the theme of ‘welcome’\, written by visitors to Norfolk’s libraries. \nFree booking \nPresented as part of the Platforma Festival (October 2025) produced by Counterpoints Arts. \n 
URL:https://counterpoints.org.uk/event/words-of-welcome-in-conversation-with-marjorie-lotfi-and-george-szirtes/
LOCATION:Great Yarmouth Library\, The Place\, 37-39 Market Place\, Great Yarmouth\, NR30 1LX\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Literature & Spoken Word,Platforma
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20251007
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20251009
DTSTAMP:20260430T193557
CREATED:20250815T114636Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250815T114725Z
UID:10000546-1759795200-1759967999@counterpoints.org.uk
SUMMARY:Think Tank: Music and Displacement
DESCRIPTION:Produced by Britten Pears Arts in partnership with Counterpoints Arts as part of the Platforma Festival (October 2025). \nThis strategic ThinkTank is being convened to explore and address the intersections between music\, migration\, and displacement. This initiative brings together artists\, cultural leaders\, policy makers\, academics\, funders\, and grassroots organisations to collectively envision more inclusive\, sustainable\, and impactful ways to create opportunities for refugee and migrant musicians and foster meaningful musical participation among displaced communities. \nMigration is as old as humanity and as it continues to shape our society\, music emerges not only as a form of cultural expression and emotional survival but also as a tool for community-building\, advocacy\, and socio-economic inclusion. This ThinkTank aims to generate actionable insights\, identify structural barriers\, and propose frameworks for ethical\, long-term support\, career development\, and community engagement. \nThis is an invitation only curated Think Tank\, with learnings and outcomes to be shared as appropriate in due course.
URL:https://counterpoints.org.uk/event/think-tank-music-and-displacement/
CATEGORIES:Music,Platforma
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20251007T120000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20251007T190000
DTSTAMP:20260430T193557
CREATED:20250620T102751Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250904T103011Z
UID:10000524-1759838400-1759863600@counterpoints.org.uk
SUMMARY:Theatres of Sanctuary Away Day
DESCRIPTION:As part of our Platforma Festival 2025 across the East of England this October\, Counterpoints are partnering with City of Sanctuary to host an Away Day at Norwich Theatre for Theatres of Sanctuary across the country.\nSanctuary in Arts Awards celebrate the arts organisations who go above and beyond to welcome people seeking sanctuary. \nThe key criteria for the awards are: \n-Learn: find out what it means to be seeking sanctuary; and be actively involved in awareness raising. \n-Embed: take positive action to make welcome and inclusion part of the values of your organisation or community\, to support sanctuary seekers and refugees\, and to include them in your activities. \n-Share your vision and achievements: let others know about the positive contribution refugees make to our society and the benefits of a welcoming culture to everyone. \nFor this Away Day we are bringing together theatres and theatre companies who hold the Sanctuary Award to meet\, connect\, share practice and consider how best to work together. This event is by invitation only – if you are interested to know more\, please contact tom@counterpoints.org.uk \nWe are grateful to Norwich Theatre for hosting the event and for sharing some of their work. \nAgenda for the day (Venue: Norwich Theatre)\n12-1: Arrivals and lunch \n1.00 pm: Welcomes\, introductions and checking in on the current context for this work \n2 pm : Progression Routes for theatre makers from refugee and migrant background (presented by Norwich Theatre) \n2.25pm: Group discussions on progression routes. \n3pm: Tea break \n3.30: Building a bank of resources for the network: introduction and then group discussion \n4.30: What next? \n5pm: Close \n5.30pm: Performance “3 Migrant Women” by Norwich Theatre + Q&A (also open to the public) \n7.00pm: Close \nImage credit: Norwich Theatre / Donna Thompson
URL:https://counterpoints.org.uk/event/theatres-of-sanctuary-away-day/
LOCATION:Norwich Theatre\, Theatre St\, Norwich\, NR2 1RL\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Platforma,Theatre
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://counterpoints.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Wendy-MUST-CREDIT-DONNA-THOMPSON.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20251007T193000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20251008T203500
DTSTAMP:20260430T193557
CREATED:20250701T071343Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250813T084113Z
UID:10000528-1759865400-1759955700@counterpoints.org.uk
SUMMARY:Penguin @ Cambridge Junction
DESCRIPTION:Performed and co-created by Hamzeh Al Hussien\, directed and co-created by Amy Golding. Presented in Cambridge as part of the Platforma Festival (October 2025)\, produced by Counterpoints Arts.\nBooking link \nFull tour details \nSee also: Displaced\, Disabled & Dynamic – an online discussion featuring Hamzeh Al Hussien and Amy Golding discussing the experiences\, triumphs and challenges touring Penguin \nHere’s what you need to know.. \nI am Hamzeh. My favourite shisha flavour is double apple. I love dancing. \nHere’s what’s going to happen… \nThere will be loud music. A wedding. My first time on a plane. A lot of moonlight. This is the story of my life (so far). People have a lot of questions. The answer is\, \n“Yes. \nI can do anything.” \n \nFull of humour and beauty\, Hamzeh Al-Hussien’s extraordinary story takes you on a personal tour of the places he knows best: his village in the Syrian mountains\, Za’atari camp in Jordan\, Gateshead and inside his mind\, a place full of music\, dancing\, fantasies and marbles. Hamzeh invites the audience to be his childhood friends\, to hold up the moon to light his way into his dreams\, brushing the dust from his clothes…and taking the stage. \n“From dodging bombs to dancing in nightclubs\, Syrian theatre-maker Hamzeh Al Hussien enacts the story of his life.”\n★★★★ The Guardian \nCreative Team\nPerformed and co-created by Hamzeh Al Hussien \nDirected and co-created by Amy Golding \nDramaturg : Lindsay Rodden \nMovement Director : Nadia Iftkhar \nLighting and Creative Caption Designer : Simon Cole \nStage Manager : Andrea Scrimshaw \nAssistant Director/Translator : Olivia Furber /Yasmeen Ghawri \nSound design : Hamza Arnaout \nSet and costume design : Jida Akil \nCostume Superviser : Lou Duffy \n​Access\n​The show is captioned in both English and Arabic. \n​The set has 2 screens on stage – the English subtitles are on the left (as you look at the stage) the Arabic on the right. \nReviews and Feedback\n​The Scotsman **** “An extraordinary solo show” \n​The Observer **** “A genuine encounter” \n​The Guardian **** \n​The Stage **** “Uplifting tale of finding self-acceptance and joy” “Golding directs with a lightness of touch that never allows the piece to feel voyeuristic” \n​I Love Manchester **** “It is truly charming and an extremely wonderful reflection of a life touched and changed but not entirely uprooted by war.” \n​West End Best Friend **** “A joyous and uplifting story of hope in the face of adversity\, and of celebrating the individual”. \n​The Reviews Hub **** “A born storyteller\, Hamzeh effortlessly performs..the show brilliantly directed by Amy Golding combines moments of delightful comedy.. alongside chilling and harrowing moments”. \n​Theatre and Tonic **** “Hamzeh is a charismatic and engaging performer…The piece moved with pure ease on stage due to the capable direction of Amy Golding.” \n​Disability Arts Online “an extraordinary tale\, told with beautiful simplicity” \n​North East Theatre Guide “A wonderful piece of storytelling”. \n​North East Bylines “Hamzeh in Arabic means lion\, steadfast\, strong – and so he is.” \n​NARC Magazine “Hamzeh is charismatic and compelling\, and his enduring sense of optimism is so present in the writing and in his performance” \n​Live Theatre Young Reviewer “a triumph for modern theatre… This show leaves you feeling immensely privileged for having seen it. It’s radical\, it’s heart breaking\, it’s Penguin.” \nAwards\nHamzeh Al Hussien – North East Culture Awards 2023 \, Best Newcomer for PENGUIN
URL:https://counterpoints.org.uk/event/penguin-cambridge-junction/
LOCATION:Cambridge Junction\, Clifton Way\, Cambridge\, CB1 7GX\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Platforma,Theatre
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://counterpoints.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Penguin.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20251008
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20251201
DTSTAMP:20260430T193557
CREATED:20251008T143005Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251127T114916Z
UID:10000578-1759881600-1764547140@counterpoints.org.uk
SUMMARY:Our Shared Futures – Climate & Migration Community Film Festival
DESCRIPTION:We are excited to announce the Our Shared Futures: Climate & Migration Community Film Festival 2025\, curated by Counterpoints Arts in partnership with Earth Refuge\, CMJ (Climate & Migrant Justice Organising Group)\, and City of Sanctuary. \nTaking place 21-30 November 2025\, to coincide with COP30 and Climate & Migrant Justice Day (22 Nov)\, this free\, new community-powered film festival shares powerful stories at the intersection of climate and migration. \nThe festival features a curated selection of feature-length and short films from around the world. These films explore themes of climate crisis\, displacement\, colonialism\, conflict\, resilience\, and hope – creating accessible entry points into urgent conversations that affect us all. \nHow it works\nAnyone in the UK can take part by hosting a screening—whether in a community centre\, library\, cinema\, school\, workplace\, outdoors\, or even at home. \n\n\nFilms are available free of charge via UK online streaming during the festival dates (21–30 November). \n\n\nYou don’t need to worry about rights or licensing – we’ve arranged these for everyone. \n\n\nWe have created resources and discussion prompts to help spark reflection\, dialogue\, and action – strengthening solidarity across communities and movements. (See below under “Free Resources”) \n\nFind a screening near you at the bottom of this page & social media.\n\nSo all you need to do is pick a film\, invite people\, and press play. \nThe Films\nFEATURE FILMS\n\nUtama (2022) dir. Alejandro Loayza Grisi\nTrailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9Hv7HFDIOc\nRun time: 1hr 27 mins\nWhere available to screen: UK\nAge Certification: 12A (PG)\n \nSynopsis: An elderly Quechua couple in Bolivia confronts a devastating drought that threatens their traditional way of life. The film reckons with the grief that individual families contend with in the face of climate change\, as well as intergenerational reactions to climate change. How do the younger and older generations respond to climate change and the need to move? \n\nThank You For The Rain (2017) dir. Julia Dahr and Kisilu Musya\nTrailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PO1-Z7kEyzo\nWhere available to screen: UK\nCategory: Feature documentary\nAge Guidance: 12A (PG)\nRun time: 1hr 27 mins \nSynopsis: This powerful documentary follows Kisilu Musya\, a Kenyan farmer who begins filming his daily life to show the real impacts of climate change on his community. Over five years\, his story evolves from local struggle to global activism as he journeys to the UN climate talks in Paris. The film captures the personal toll of changing weather patterns while exposing the deep inequalities that shape who is heard (and who is not) in global climate debates. \nYou can support Kisilu’s campaign here: https://www.mchanga.africa/fundraiser/36981 \nSHORT FILMS\n\nAnd Still\, It Remains (2023) dir. Arwa Aburawa & Turab Shah\nTrailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EEgh08ch1I\nWhere available to screen: UK\nCategory: Short documentary\nAge Guidance: 12+ (*please note this film is not certified\, this is a guidance- please watch films in advance to assess suitability to your audience)\nRun time: 28 mins  \nSynopsis: A poetic and unsettling reflection on the long shadows cast by French nuclear tests in the Algerian Sahara. Combining archival footage\, testimony\, and striking imagery\, the film explores how radioactive contamination and environmental damage continue to affect local communities decades after colonial powers left. It asks what justice means when the land itself remembers violence. \n\nDead As A Dodo (2022) dir. Leena Habiballa\nTrailer: no trailer available\nWhere available to screen: UK\nCategory: Short experimental\nAge Guidance: 12+ (*please note this film is not certified\, this is a guidance- please watch films in advance to assess suitability to your audience)\nRun time: 5 mins 9 seconds \nSynopsis: An experimental short film that reimagines the extinction of the dodo to examine how colonialism\, science\, and ecological loss intertwine. Through sound and image collage\, it questions how stories of extinction are told\, and who gets to tell them; exposing how ideas of dominance over nature are rooted in colonial histories. This work is inspired by and is in conversation with a book of poems titled A Theory of Birds by the Palestinian-American poet Zaina Alsous. \n \nUntil The Last Drop (2020) dir. Tim Webster & Ernesto Cabellos\nTrailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSQpIsQAnOU\nWhere available to screen: UK\nCategory: Short documentary\nAge Guidance: 12+ (*please note this film is not certified\, this is a guidance- please watch films in advance to assess suitability to your audience)\nRun time: 20 mins 20 seconds\n\nSynopsis: Set in the occupied West Bank\, this documentary portrays the lives of two farmers struggling under an unequal\, apartheid system of water access. Their story reveals how control over natural resources becomes a tool of oppression\, linking environmental injustice with political conflict. The film makes visible the intimate\, everyday impacts of global debates about rights\, scarcity\, and survival. \nInterested in Watching or Hosting a Screening?\nRegister here. \n\n\nIndividuals: Watch at home\, by yourself or with friends and family. \n\n\nOrganisers: Host a community screening in your chosen venue. \n\n\nCost: Free. All rights and licenses have been secured. \n\n\nRegister to receive access to the films and resources ahead of the festival. \nFree Resources & Packs\nAccess the film guide here (covers how to organise a screening and helpful top tips e.g. staying safe\, ideas for venues\, equipments etc!) \nAccess our education pack here (lots of great information on language\, discussion prompts related to the films and more!) \nYou are welcome to use materials from the public marketing folder (photos\, posters\, social media assets\, holding slide etc.) \nFind a Screening Near You!\nOver 300 screenings are happening across the country! Below are just a few public events – with many more coming soon. \nEngland\n\nArnside\nBath\nBirmingham\nBradford\nBrighton\nBournemouth\nBristol (21 Nov)\nBristol (22 Nov)\nBristol (30 Nov)\nCambridge\nChichester\nColchester\nCheltenham\nExeter\nHove\nLeeds\nLincoln\nLondon\, Bethnal Green/ Tower Hamlets\nLondon\, Bloomsbury\nLondon\, Brixton\nLondon\, Dalston\nLondon\, Hackney\nLondon\, Holborn\nLondon\, Islington\nLondon\, Kensington and Chelsea\nLondon\, Maida Vale\nLondon\, Stoke Newington\nLondon\, Westminster (24 Nov)\nLondon\, Westminster (26 Nov)\nLondon\, Westminster (27 Nov)\nReading (21 Nov)\nReading (25 Nov)\nStockport\nTynemouth\nWorcester\n\nWales\n\nAbergavenny \nCardiff\n\nScotland\n\nAberdeen (14 Nov)\nAberdeen (28 Nov)\nGlasgow\n\nHosting a screening?📩 Share your event link with us: hello@counterpoints.org.uk \nFAQs\nHow do I take part?\n \n\nJust complete this short google form here. Everyone is welcome to take part!\nOptional: watch this 30min recording of Information Sharing and Q&A\n\nDo I need to pay for rights or licensing?\nNo. All rights and licenses have been paid & secured by Counterpoints Arts and partners. There is no charge to you to screen any of the films. \nCan I charge tickets to my events?\nNo\, you cannot charge for tickets\, but optional donations are fine (you can collect donations for any cause/ charity/ venue/ project of your choice) \nCan I host in a cinema\, community venue\, or outdoors etc?\nYes! Screenings can take place in cinemas\, community centres\, schools\, libraries\, churches\, faith spaces\, pubs\, outdoor spaces etc. Absolutely everywhere and anywhere! Private or public screenings is fine. \nCan I download the films?No. The films are only available via a secure online streaming platform during the festival dates only. \nCan I watch the films in advance?\nWe apologise the films are not available to watch beforehand\, only during 21-30th November 2025. Check the film synopsis and age range for their suitability to your audience. Some of the films are available to hire on different streaming platforms if you need to watch in advance. \nWhen will I receive the link to the films?\nAll registered organisers will receive a link the week before the festival on Monday 17th Nov to test tech etc. \nHow do I promote my event?\nYou are welcome to use materials from the public marketing folder (photos\, posters\, social media assets\, holding slide etc.) You are welcome to promote your event in any platform e.g. eventbrite\, your website\, social media etc. Registered organisers will also be contacted if they want to promote their screenings on our website. \nHow do I access the free resources & discussion prompts?\nAccess the film guide here (covers how to organise a screening and helpful top tips e.g. staying safe\, ideas for venues\, equipments\, how to have good post-screening conversations etc!). Access our education pack here (lots of great information on climate & migration language\, discussion prompts related to the films and more!). Plus\, you are welcome to use materials from the public marketing folder \nAre there subtitles?Where provided by the filmmakers\, English subtitles will be available. \nI’m not based in the UK\, can I take part?\nNo\, this year the films are only available in the UK. \nI’m not available 21-30 Nov\, can I watch the films before or after?\nNo\, we only have rights & licenses for the films 21st-30th November 2025. \nIs there a selection process?\nNo\, everyone is welcome to organise a screening. No selection process. \nI am a filmmaker\, can you add my film to the programme?\nUnfortunately the programme is finalised but please do introduce your work to us for future opportunities. \nAny other questions please email hello@counterpoints.org.uk
URL:https://counterpoints.org.uk/event/our-shared-futures-climate-migration-film-festival/
CATEGORIES:Film,Pop Culture
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://counterpoints.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Climate-Festival-A2-Landscape-4.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20251009T193000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20251009T203500
DTSTAMP:20260430T193557
CREATED:20250701T071835Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250813T084135Z
UID:10000529-1760038200-1760042100@counterpoints.org.uk
SUMMARY:Penguin @ The Garage\, Norwich
DESCRIPTION:Performed and co-created by Hamzeh Al Hussien\, directed and co-created by Amy Golding. Presented in Cambridge as part of the Platforma Festival (October 2025)\, produced by Counterpoints Arts.\nBooking link \nFull tour details \nSee also: Displaced\, Disabled & Dynamic – an online discussion featuring Hamzeh Al Hussien and Amy Golding discussing the experiences\, triumphs and challenges touring Penguin \nHere’s what you need to know.. \nI am Hamzeh. My favourite shisha flavour is double apple. I love dancing. \nHere’s what’s going to happen… \nThere will be loud music. A wedding. My first time on a plane. A lot of moonlight. This is the story of my life (so far). People have a lot of questions. The answer is\, \n“Yes. \nI can do anything.” \n \nFull of humour and beauty\, Hamzeh Al-Hussien’s extraordinary story takes you on a personal tour of the places he knows best: his village in the Syrian mountains\, Za’atari camp in Jordan\, Gateshead and inside his mind\, a place full of music\, dancing\, fantasies and marbles. Hamzeh invites the audience to be his childhood friends\, to hold up the moon to light his way into his dreams\, brushing the dust from his clothes…and taking the stage. \n“From dodging bombs to dancing in nightclubs\, Syrian theatre-maker Hamzeh Al Hussien enacts the story of his life.”\n★★★★ The Guardian \nCreative Team\nPerformed and co-created by Hamzeh Al Hussien \nDirected and co-created by Amy Golding \nDramaturg : Lindsay Rodden \nMovement Director : Nadia Iftkhar \nLighting and Creative Caption Designer : Simon Cole \nStage Manager : Andrea Scrimshaw \nAssistant Director/Translator : Olivia Furber /Yasmeen Ghawri \nSound design : Hamza Arnaout \nSet and costume design : Jida Akil \nCostume Superviser : Lou Duffy \n​Access\n​The show is captioned in both English and Arabic. \n​The set has 2 screens on stage – the English subtitles are on the left (as you look at the stage) the Arabic on the right. \nReviews and Feedback\n​The Scotsman **** “An extraordinary solo show” \n​The Observer **** “A genuine encounter” \n​The Guardian **** \n​The Stage **** “Uplifting tale of finding self-acceptance and joy” “Golding directs with a lightness of touch that never allows the piece to feel voyeuristic” \n​I Love Manchester **** “It is truly charming and an extremely wonderful reflection of a life touched and changed but not entirely uprooted by war.” \n​West End Best Friend **** “A joyous and uplifting story of hope in the face of adversity\, and of celebrating the individual”. \n​The Reviews Hub **** “A born storyteller\, Hamzeh effortlessly performs..the show brilliantly directed by Amy Golding combines moments of delightful comedy.. alongside chilling and harrowing moments”. \n​Theatre and Tonic **** “Hamzeh is a charismatic and engaging performer…The piece moved with pure ease on stage due to the capable direction of Amy Golding.” \n​Disability Arts Online “an extraordinary tale\, told with beautiful simplicity” \n​North East Theatre Guide “A wonderful piece of storytelling”. \n​North East Bylines “Hamzeh in Arabic means lion\, steadfast\, strong – and so he is.” \n​NARC Magazine “Hamzeh is charismatic and compelling\, and his enduring sense of optimism is so present in the writing and in his performance” \n​Live Theatre Young Reviewer “a triumph for modern theatre… This show leaves you feeling immensely privileged for having seen it. It’s radical\, it’s heart breaking\, it’s Penguin.” \nAwards\nHamzeh Al Hussien – North East Culture Awards 2023 \, Best Newcomer for PENGUIN
URL:https://counterpoints.org.uk/event/penguin-the-garage-norwich/
LOCATION:The Garage\, 14 Chapel Field North\, Norwich\, NR2 1NY\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Platforma,Theatre
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://counterpoints.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Penguin.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20251010T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20251010T130000
DTSTAMP:20260430T193557
CREATED:20250831T102254Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250831T102254Z
UID:10000563-1760090400-1760101200@counterpoints.org.uk
SUMMARY:Creative Writing Workshop with Amanda Hodgkinson
DESCRIPTION:Join award winning writer Dr Amanda Hodgkinson for a creative writing workshop taking inspiration from stories of arrival\, community\, and belonging. As well as from the stories of migration within her novel 22 Britannia Road. \nPresented by Suffolk Archives as part of the Platforma Festival (October 2025) produced by Counterpoints Arts. \nFree booking \nAge 16+
URL:https://counterpoints.org.uk/event/creative-writing-workshop-with-amanda-hodgkinson/
LOCATION:The Hold\, Ipswich\, IP4 1LN\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Literature & Spoken Word,Platforma
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://counterpoints.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Amanda-Hodgkinson-creative-writing.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20251010T193000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20251010T211500
DTSTAMP:20260430T193557
CREATED:20250820T145931Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250820T150452Z
UID:10000551-1760124600-1760130900@counterpoints.org.uk
SUMMARY:Sami Abu Wardeh - Palestine: Peace de Resistance
DESCRIPTION:A historical collage of conflict\, colonialism and clowning from multi-talented Sami Abu Wardeh.\nThe rockstar voice of the Palestinian Diaspora’ – Alexei Sayle \nFresh from his award-winning run at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe\, Sami Abu Wardeh brings his new show to the Ballroom in Diss\, presented in partnership with No 8 @ The Ballroom as part of Platforma 2025\, produced by Counterpoints Arts. \nFull details and booking \nYou can run from resistance but it will always catch up with you – as Sami finds out in his latest show. Join his open call for mass civil disobedience\, equitable distribution of hand puppets and more! Find out once and for all: can resistance be funny? \n“An absurdist response to an abominable situation … a compelling collage of historical storytelling\, jokes about colonialism\, and a silent-comedy style that remains defiantly goofy in the face of abomination.” ★★★★ The Guardian \n“Irish-Palestinian comic Sami Abu Wardeh’s densely layered Fringe comeback roars with defiance” ★★★★ FestMag \n“The show is thoughtful\, very visually funny and constantly has the audience laughing” ★★★★ British Theatre Guide \n“Charm\, humour\, and a presence that lingers long after he leaves the stage” ★★★★ The Wee Review \n“It just may be the most vital show you could and should see” ★★★★ The Comic’s Comic \nWinner of the Heart Award\, Edniburgh Festival Fringe 2025 \nWritten and Performed by Sami Abu-Wardeh\nDirected by Sam Beale\nProduced by Qasim Salam
URL:https://counterpoints.org.uk/event/sami-abu-wardeh-peace-de-resistance/
LOCATION:The Ballroom\, No 8 Marketplace\, Diss\, IP22 4AB\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Comedy,Platforma
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://counterpoints.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/sami-diss-1.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20251011T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20251012T170000
DTSTAMP:20260430T193557
CREATED:20250815T152353Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251001T083911Z
UID:10000547-1760176800-1760288400@counterpoints.org.uk
SUMMARY:DIASPORA
DESCRIPTION:Cambridge Black Creatives annual exhibition: DIASPORA. \n11th – 12th Oct. 10am – 5pm\nPrivate View Fri 10th 6pm -8pm \nCo-commissioned and presented as part of the Platforma Festival (October 2025) produced by Counterpoints Arts. \nCambridge Black Creatives is a unique arts collective supporting black and brown creative people in Cambridge. They host imaginative workshops for art making and honest discussion on racial issues. Non-artists and allies are always welcome\, and we hold a yearly exhibition to celebrate the artwork of our community. This year’s show\, DIASPORA explores our experience of migration. The show displays a diverse range of creative talent from oil painting to installation\, and textile art to sculpture. \nAt the opening we will be launching a new collection of poetry “An Outsider Inside – Verse and Rhymes from Post-Truth Times” by Lee Codrington. \nWorkshop: Sunday 12th 2.22pm: Asim Khairdean will be running his 2-hour workshop DETOURNE DEFACE DECOLONISE a flag-making workshop looking\nat the history of the diaspora in decolonial art movements and an opportunity to try out their techniques.
URL:https://counterpoints.org.uk/event/diaspora/
LOCATION:Artworks and Artspace\, 5 Green's Road\, Cambridge\, CB4 3EF\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Platforma,Visual Arts
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://counterpoints.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/DIASPORA-poster-crop.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20251011T123000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20251011T133000
DTSTAMP:20260430T193557
CREATED:20250830T192656Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250830T195653Z
UID:10000555-1760185800-1760189400@counterpoints.org.uk
SUMMARY:Roots & Rhythm: An Afro-Jazz and Poetry Workshop
DESCRIPTION:62 Gladstone Street present a workshop led by Oloyede Michael: participants will blend improvisation\, storytelling\, and performance to create original pieces that celebrate us!\nCo-commissioned and presented as part of the Platforma Festival (October 2025)\, produced by Counterpoints Arts. \nDiscover the powerful synergy of sound and word in Roots & Rhythm\, a vibrant workshop exploring the soulful world of Afro-Jazz and Poetry. This immersive experience invites musicians\, poets\, and curious creatives to explore the rhythm of African jazz traditions alongside the lyrical depth of spoken word. \nLed by Peterborough-based poet Oloyede Michael\, participants will blend improvisation\, storytelling\, and performance to create original pieces that celebrate identity\, heritage\, and self-expression. Whether you’re a budding poet or a seasoned saxophonist\, come ready to vibe\, write\, and jam. \nNo prior experience needed—just bring your voice and your rhythm. \nFull information and booking \nOloyede Michael Taiwo is a poet\, storyteller\, copywriter\, scriptwriter\, screen-writer spoken-word artiste\, playwright\, producer and philomath. Based in Peterborough\, the Lagos-born artist wrote and produced the play\, ‘Wrinkles\, dimples\, naira and bets’\, during the Lagos Theatre Festival\, 2020\, in partnership with the British council. He has performed in several literary events and one of the largest gospel concert in Lagos – Cross Concert. He curates diverse didactic and literary events\, such as: Learning with celebrities’ conference\, Lagos poetrython\, Fireflies & Bumblebees and the Lagospoetrython spoken word academy. He has been shortlisted for the Etisalat prize for Flash fiction and long listed for the Quramo writer’s prize for literature and was a Peterborough Poet Laureate finalist. \nAbout Platforma in Peterborough \nPlatforma 2025 in Peterborough is produced by 62 Gladstone Street\, a community-rooted arts space in the heart of Peterborough with a particular focus on supporting South Asian and MENA artists. Through exhibitions\, residencies\, and public programmes\, it provides a vital platform for underrepresented voices and fosters meaningful dialogue between artists and the wider community. \nPartners: Counterpoints Arts\, Landmark Theatres\, Peterborough Cultural Alliance\, Metal Peterborough\, Peterborough Presents\, Peterborough Museum\, HELP Charity & the Aziz Foundation \nDedication: “Our programme is dedicated to the innocent men\, women\, and children who have lost their lives\, those who have been displaced by war\, and all those seeking a safe place to call home.” \n62 Gladstone Street’s Platforma programme is supported by Arts Council England as and presented as part of the wider Platforma Festival across the East of England\, produced by Counterpoints Arts.
URL:https://counterpoints.org.uk/event/roots-rhythm-an-afro-jazz-and-poetry-workshop/
LOCATION:Peterborough Museum and Art Gallery\, 51 Priestgate\, Peterborough\, PE1 1LF\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Music,Platforma
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://counterpoints.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/roots.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20251011T133000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20251011T153000
DTSTAMP:20260430T193557
CREATED:20250830T185011Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250830T194546Z
UID:10000552-1760189400-1760196600@counterpoints.org.uk
SUMMARY:Slidefest
DESCRIPTION:62 Gladstone Street presents Slidefest: a workshop featuring four photographers whose powerful visual storytelling explores first-generation migration.\nArtists: Hicham Gardaf\, Kalpesh Lathigra\, Amak Mahmoodian\, Chris Neophytou \nCurated by Aisha Zia & Mohamed Somji \nCo-commissioned and presented as part of the Platforma Festival (October 2025)\, produced by Counterpoints Arts. \nFull details and free booking \nSlidefest spotlights the work of four photographers whose powerful visual storytelling explores first-generation migration—both economic and conflict-related. \nThrough image-led presentations\, each photographer will share stories of migration that begin with departure: Why do people leave? What do they encounter along the way? And how do they build lives in unfamiliar places? \nThis intimate event will trace personal and collective journeys from displacement to arrival\, offering a deeper look into the lived experiences of those who have shaped diverse communities. Through photography and conversation\, Slidefest invites audiences to reflect on the stories behind the images—and the people behind the stories. \nF(I/U)GUE by Hicham Gardaf  \nA fig plant’s perspective. Uprooted from its homeland\, offered by the family\, we follow it crossing borders\, adapting and becoming\, in a new environment. What is it like to be foreign? To live in a state of constant waiting and delay\, in a perpetual quest of home? Hicham Gardaf (b. in Tangier\, Morocco) works across photography and moving image\, often engaging with ideas of time\, place and transformation. He is drawn to sites that carry social or spatial tension\, such as landscapes shaped by displacement\, urbanisation or quiet forms of resistance. Through slow\, observational processes\, he explores how environments reflect broader political and temporal conditions. Gardaf approaches these mediums not only as tools for documentation but as spaces for speculation\, perception and re-interpretation. His practice is concerned with what images hold and what they fail to reveal\, how they shape memory\, suggest presence or absence\, and shift meaning over time. Recent screenings and exhibitions include the 74th Berlinale in Berlin\, Kettle’s Yard in Cambridge\, Frac MÉCA in Bordeaux\, MACAAL in Marrakech\, and Fondazione MAST in Bologna. \nOne Hundred and Twenty Minutes (2019-2023) by Amak Mahmoodian \nIn One Hundred and Twenty Minutes (the amount of time we dedicate to dream every night)\, I have worked with 16 individuals who are exiled from their native countries. Through photography\, poetry\, drawing and video\, I examine the emotional and psychological landscapes of dreams in exile\, the new lives we create with these dreams\, and the ways in which they keep returning us to our past. “Amak Mahmoodian is a multidisciplinary artist and educator. She began her career as a research-based photographer in Iran in 2003. Since 2010\, she has been living in the UK\, unable to return to Iran. She practices as a visual artist at the intersection of conceptual image-making and documentary photography\, working with photographs\, text\, video\, drawing\, archives and sound. Her practice explores the presentation of gender\, identity and displacement\, bridging a space between personal and political across platforms and formats including installation\, books and films. Mahmoodian’s work has been shown internationally\, including the Carnegie Museum of Art. Pittsburgh; Fototeca Latinoamericana\, Buenos Aires; the Benaki Museum\, Athens; Arnolfini\, Bristol; Rencontres d’Arles\, Arles; and Peckham 24\, London. Her works are held in collections such as the Tate\, and the British Library in London. She has published two books\, Shenasnameh (RRB- ICV Lab\, 2016)\, and Zanjir (RRB\, 2019) which was the winner of The Best Photo Text Book award at Rencontres Arles\, 2020. Her work appears in key titles on photography such as Photography – A Feminist History (Tate Publishing\, 2021)\, Photography Now: Fifty Pioneers Defining Photography for the Twenty-First Century (Octopus Publishing\, 2021)\, and How We See: Photobooks by Women (10×10 Photobooks\, 2019). \nThe Planting of a Fig Tree by Chris Neophytou \n“I don’t know whether there are an infinite number of reasons why people leave home or whether they are all just many different versions of the same thing. Whatever the impulse or circumstance might be that propels us to travel in one way or another it is inevitably linked to our notion of home\, and what home should be. There always seems\, at least to me\, to be this undulating degree of tension between the place we have set out from and the place we arrive at; always this balance between expectation and doubt\, the unknown and the familiar\, the memory and the moment. The people and places captured in these images form a record of a particularly itinerant period in my life. Made in a number of different towns\, cities and countries\, the images that now congregate here suggest a narrative where disparate experiences and observations are unified by a persisting sentiment. My practice focuses on themes of place and is rooted in a documentary approach to photography. Growing up in rural England as a second-generation Cypriot\, navigating between two cultures\, helped inform my interest in place and connected themes surrounding history and identity. My process\, almost archaeological in nature\, involves collecting and recording material fragments and interrogating them for meaning about the past\, in the hope of better understanding the present.” \nDiscarded Fruit by Kalpesh Lathigra \nKalpesh Lathigra is a British Indian artist born in 1971 in Forest Gate\, a suburb of East London. He is a documentary photographer\, concerned with the democratisation of both the real and the ‘staged’ image. In 2000 he received the 1st prize of the “World Press Photo”\, a prestigious award for photojournalism\, and in 2003 he undertook a project documenting the lives of widows in India\, receiving the “W.Eugene Smith Fellowship” and the “Churchill Fellowship”. In 2014 he was awarded a ‘Lightwork Residency’ by the Brighton Photo Biennial to produce\, in collaboration with South African artist Thabiso Sekgala\, a cycle of photographs entitled A Return to Elsewhere. A project aimed at investigating Indian communities in Marabastad and Laudium in South Africa and Brighton in the UK\, studying their history\, memory and loss of civilisation. His first book ‘Lost in the Wilderness’\, published in 2015\, contains a corpus of photographs dedicated to the Oglala Sioux and Pine Ridge Indian reservations\, and has been defined by critic Sean O’Hagan as ‘one of the photographic books of the year’. \nImage: Chris Neophytou \nAbout Platforma in Peterborough \nPlatforma 2025 in Peterborough is produced by 62 Gladstone Street\, a community-rooted arts space in the heart of Peterborough with a particular focus on supporting South Asian and MENA artists. Through exhibitions\, residencies\, and public programmes\, it provides a vital platform for underrepresented voices and fosters meaningful dialogue between artists and the wider community. \nPartners: Counterpoints Arts\, Landmark Theatres\, Peterborough Cultural Alliance\, Metal Peterborough\, Peterborough Presents\, Peterborough Museum\, HELP Charity & the Aziz Foundation \nDedication: “Our programme is dedicated to the innocent men\, women\, and children who have lost their lives\, those who have been displaced by war\, and all those seeking a safe place to call home.” \n62 Gladstone Street’s Platforma programme is supported by Arts Council England as and presented as part of the wider Platforma Festival across the East of England\, produced by Counterpoints Arts.
URL:https://counterpoints.org.uk/event/slidefest/
LOCATION:Peterborough Museum and Art Gallery\, 51 Priestgate\, Peterborough\, PE1 1LF\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Photography,Platforma
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://counterpoints.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/ChrisNeophytou_002.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20251011T180000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20251011T193000
DTSTAMP:20260430T193557
CREATED:20250812T161610Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250831T092925Z
UID:10000544-1760205600-1760211000@counterpoints.org.uk
SUMMARY:Hearts\, Bodies & Words: Migration Stories with Sulaiman Addonia 
DESCRIPTION:A fascinating in-conversation event about writing the refugee experience with Eritrean-Ethiopian-British novelist Sulaiman Addonia\, whose acclaimed novels offer an insider’s view of life\, love\, and language through the lens of displacement.\nIn partnership with the National Centre for Writing. Presented as part of the Platforma Festival (October 2025) produced by Counterpoints Arts. \nPay what you wish. Suitable for ages 18+ \nFull details and booking \nDrawing on his darkly poetic novels The Seers and Silence Is My Mother Tongue\, Addonia will reflect on the role of intimacy and agency in narratives of migration\, the healing power of art\, and how writing has shaped his personal journey\, from arriving as an unaccompanied minor seeking asylum to becoming a celebrated author and activist. \nSulaiman Addonia’s third novel\, The Seers\, follows the first weeks of a homeless Eritrean refugee in London. Set around a foster home in Kilburn\, in the squares of Bloomsbury where its protagonist sleeps\, and against the backdrop of the labyrinthine bureaucracy of the UK asylum system\, the novel considers intergenerational histories and colonial trauma alongside the psychological and sexual lives of refugees\, insisting that the erotic and intimate side of life is as much a part of someone’s story as land and nations are. \nAbout the author \nSulaiman Addonia is an Eritrean-Ethiopian-British novelist. He spent his early life in a refugee camp in Sudan\, and his early teens in Jeddah\, Saudi Arabia. He arrived in London as an underage unaccompanied refugee without a word of English and went on to earn an MA in Development Studies from SOAS and a BSc in Economics from UCL. \nHis first novel\,  The Consequences of Love (Chatto & Windus\, 2008)\, was shortlisted for the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize and was translated into more than 20 languages. His second novel\, Silence is My Mother Tongue (Indigo Press\, 2019; Graywolf\, 2020)\, was a Finalist for the Lambda Literary Awards 2021\, the Firecracker (CLMP) Awards\, the inaugural African Literary Award from The Museum of the African Diaspora (MoAD) in San Francisco\, and longlisted for the 2019 Orwell Prize for Fiction. The Seers (Prototype\, 2024) was longlisted for the Republic of Consciousness Prize 2025 and the Royal Society of Literature Ondaatje Prize 2025. \nHis essays appear in LitHub\, Granta\, Freeman’s\, The New York Times\, De Standaard and Passa Porta. He is a contributor to Tales of Two Planets (Penguin\, 2020) and Addis Ababa Noir (Akashic Books\, 2020). A lifelong advocate of the value of creative writing for refugees\, Addonia is also the founder of the Creative Writing Academy for Refugees and Asylum Seekers and the Asmara-Adiss Literary Festival in Exile (AALFIE). \n‘The Seers is an incandescent howl of anti-colonial rage and insatiable desire; a powerful and taboo-breaking love letter to a London made of stories\, and a scathing indictment of the UK asylum system’s ability to break hearts and bodies to pieces again and again.’ — Preti Taneja\, author of Aftermath \n‘The Seers is a knockout. A complex novel of generational history\, trauma\, eroticism…Not only is this a novel that needs to be read now\, its ambition\, humanity\, anger and an unforgettable narrator mark it out as a classic.’ — Niven Govinden\, author of Diary of a Film \nPhoto: Fred Debrock \nAbout the National Centre for Writing \nNational Centre for Writing is a National Portfolio Organisation for Arts Council England and the literature development agency for the East of England based in Norwich\, England’s first UNESCO City of Literature. NCW promotes\, commissions\, and supports new writing\, writers\, and underrepresented voices; inspires communities through the power of writing\, reading and literary translation; nurtures literary talent and has a year-round creative writing learning programme of courses\, workshops\, and resources. Find out more \n  \n \n \n 
URL:https://counterpoints.org.uk/event/hearts-bodies-words-migration-stories-with-sulaiman-addonia/
LOCATION:National Centre for Writing\, Dragon Hall\, 115-123 King Street\, Norwich\, NR1 1QE\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Literature & Spoken Word,Platforma
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://counterpoints.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Sulaiman-Addonia_credit-Fred-Debrock-e1754562374760.jpeg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20251013T140000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20251013T150000
DTSTAMP:20260430T193557
CREATED:20250922T153730Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251008T073734Z
UID:10000576-1760364000-1760367600@counterpoints.org.uk
SUMMARY:Embers of Care by Yayen
DESCRIPTION: Embers of Care by Yayen – Online Presentation\n\nPlease email hello@counterpoints.org.uk to receive the online link \nPresented in association with Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust as part of the Platforma Festival (October 2025) produced by Counterpoints Arts. \n“Embers of Care” is a 100-artwork series by Yayen\, a nurse\, migrant\, and artist\, dedicated to honouring the journeys\, resilience\, and contributions of migrant healthcare workers in the UK. This project sheds light on the often-overlooked everyday realities within the healthcare system. \nEach artwork tells a unique story. There’s the nurse from Zimbabwe\, who arrived with excitement\, only to be met by Britain’s “summer” chill at 15°C. A Burmese medical student\, a refugee\, adding a layer of loss while losing a loved one to war while striving to rebuild her life here. A Nigerian physiotherapist\, who spent months familiarizing himself with British television\, only to struggle with the many regional accents that left him not understanding anything during his first handover. Similarly\, a mental health nurse from Turkey discovered that the diversity of international accents—such as British-Indian\, British-African\, and British-European among many—made learning a new language all the more challenging. \nAmong these stories are the unsung heroes like Fred\, who answers emergency calls at night. He reminds his colleagues that in countries like Kenya or the Philippines\, they don’t have heaters and its something that most people should understand. \nThis 2025\, Yayen has collaborated with 19 NHS Trusts\, gathering narratives from migrant healthcare workers across England\, informing him and giving inspiration to his artwork. Through these portraits and stories\, he illustrates the ways in which migrants navigate cultural shifts\, isolation\, and personal sacrifices as they cross borders and build bridges to new communities. His goal is to celebrate these experiences\, fostering empathy and solidarity among all.
URL:https://counterpoints.org.uk/event/embers-of-care-by-yayen/
CATEGORIES:Platforma,Visual Arts
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://counterpoints.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Embers-of-Care-3.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20251014
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20251017
DTSTAMP:20260430T193557
CREATED:20250902T160615Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250924T165759Z
UID:10000568-1760400000-1760659199@counterpoints.org.uk
SUMMARY:The Table
DESCRIPTION:THE TABLE \nA new play written by Aisha Zia. \nA version for Platforma Festival directed by Suba Das\, with Musical Direction by Rob Green and Movement Direction by Miguel Hernando Torres Umba. \nWhat does it take to become a refugee\, migrant\, or asylum seeker today? \nDeveloped from real interviews with first-generation economic and war migrants in Bournemouth and Peterborough\, this bold new play is made to change. Every production of The Table is uniquely put together by each performance company using 40 scenes written by Scotsman Fringe First & Amnesty International Award-winning playwright\, Peterborough-born Aisha Zia\, and based on three years of research with migrant communities across the UK. \nThis production as part of Platforma Festival has been made by a company of three professional actor-musicians living in the UK and born in Turkey\, Iran and Zimbabwe. Directed by Suba Das (whose diverse credits include the world premiere production of Ravi Shankar’s only opera Sukanya for The Royal Opera House and London Philharmonic Orchestra)\, with musical direction by Rob Green(an Ivor Novello “In The Making” artist) and Movement Direction from Miguel Hernando Torres Umba (Rumble In The Jungle: Rematch\, Secret Cinema\, Terminal 1 @ Glastonbury); this version of The Table threads together deeply humane scenes about the challenging and joyous shared experiences of migrants in the UK with haunting folk music and songs from across the world. \nWriter: Aisha Zia \nDirector: Suba Das \nMusic Director and Composer: Rob Green \nMovement Director: Miguel Hernando Torres Umba \nStage Manager: Laura Whittle \nCast: Didem Atasoy\, Tara Fatehi\, Taku Mutero \nCasting: Jenkins McShane Casting CDG \nProducer: Matthew Schmolle for Matthew Schmolle Productions \nPresented by 62 Gladstone Street in partnership with Landmark Theatres. \nSupported by Counterpoints\, Arts Council England\, Peterborough Cultural Alliance and The Aziz Foundation.
URL:https://counterpoints.org.uk/event/the-table/
LOCATION:Key Theatre\, Peterborough\, Embankment Road\, Peterborough\, PE1 1EF\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Platforma,Theatre
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://counterpoints.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Landscape.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20251014
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20251026
DTSTAMP:20260430T193557
CREATED:20250818T094751Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250819T082830Z
UID:10000550-1760400000-1761436799@counterpoints.org.uk
SUMMARY:Gaza Remains The Story
DESCRIPTION:Created by The Palestine Museum: “In loving memory of the late Hikmat Maher Kaddoura\, may his soul rest in eternal peace” \nPresented by Diss Palestine Solidarity as part of the Platforma Festival (October 2025) produced by Counterpoints Arts. \nGaza Remains the Story exhibits the cause and context of the Palestinian experience\, focusing on the land\, places\, and people of Gaza. The exhibition strives to inform\, educate\, and narrate stories of historical locations and cultural practices in Gaza\, providing a glimpse into Gaza’s arts\, aspirations\, and uniqueness—what remains of it in these harsh times. \nWhile the deafening noise of never-ending bombardment drowns out the daily life\, heritage\, artistic expression\, and creativity of the people of Palestine\, this exhibition strives to look behind the curtains of the theatre of war and conquest. By narrating the stories of Gaza and countering misinformation\, “Gaza Remains the Story” aims to provide a global audience with information and references to contextualise Gaza within Palestine\, the region\, and the world. This exhibition employs text\, drawings\, and audiovisual material to explore historical\, economic\, geographic\, demographic\, and creative aspects of life in Gaza. \n \n \nArtist: Malak Mattar\nTitle: When Family is the Only Shelter\, 2022 \nOil on Canvas\, 60 x 50cm\nCourtesy of the Ghiath and Nadia Sukhtian Collection
URL:https://counterpoints.org.uk/event/gaza-remains-the-story/
LOCATION:The Ballroom\, No 8 Marketplace\, Diss\, IP22 4AB\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Platforma,Visual Arts
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=application/pdf:https://counterpoints.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Platforma-Landscape-Artwork-Image.pdf
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20251014
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20251027
DTSTAMP:20260430T193557
CREATED:20250721T141103Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251003T100517Z
UID:10000539-1760400000-1761523199@counterpoints.org.uk
SUMMARY:Confluence
DESCRIPTION:Confluence: a place where ideas merge or flow together\nAn exhibition curated and co-ordinated by Shathy Bano exploring cultural influence\, identity and belonging in the community with a two-week programme of collaborative artwork\, interactive workshops & conversations. \nCo-commissioned and presented as part of the Platforma Festival (October 2025) produced by Counterpoints Arts. \nCommunity gathering 18 October\, 1-4pm \nThis year community artist Shathy Bano has facilitated a series of 20 art sessions involving a total of over 40 participants with experience of migration in various small group settings. The sessions involved conversations exploring cultural influence\, memory\, identity and language\, using visual art as a tool for expression. \nThe exhibition at Anteros Arts Foundation brings all of the artwork together from different sessions and includes a programme of workshop activities that a free and drop-in. \nThe community gathering on the 18th is a celebration of the connections made by everyone who has participated in the projects. \nShathy Bano is a Bengali British visual artist with an extensive background in social work and therapeutic community art. Shathy focuses on cultural identity\, transformation and loss. As a child migrant herself\, her art practice draws on her life experience to create visual expressions of intersectional identity and cultural exchange through the generations\, representing how this relates to the evolving\, yet transitory notion of home and place. \nShathy has worked with Norfolk libraries and other community groups for several years leading art sessions. The creative sessions explores the links between culture\, language and place to explore belonging and connection working collaboratively with groups. \nThe exhibition is a collation of the various artwork undertaken over the past year through different projects and the connections and networks made. There is an opportunity to view the artwork\, and the two week programme provides a variety of art sessions and time and space for creativity and conversation. \n 
URL:https://counterpoints.org.uk/event/confluence/
LOCATION:Anteros\, 11-15 Fye Bridge Street\, Norwich\, NR31LJ\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Platforma,Visual Arts
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://counterpoints.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/20250620_134133.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20251014T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20251014T140000
DTSTAMP:20260430T193557
CREATED:20250922T142355Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250922T142808Z
UID:10000575-1760436000-1760450400@counterpoints.org.uk
SUMMARY:Kurdish Cookery
DESCRIPTION:Three excellent home cooks will demonstrate how to make the extremely delicious Kurdish dish of dolma\, which consists many different vegetables stuffed with rice\, lamb\, herbs and spices. \nAfterwards\, you are invited to share the food that has been prepared. \nThe demonstration will begin at 10:00 am on 14 October at the Suffolk Food Hall Cookery School\, and the meal should be finished by 14:00. \nIf you would like to come\, please email rozhgarahmedcook@gmail \nPlaces are limited\, so email as soon as you can. \nPresented with support from Suffolk County Council as part of the Platforma Festival (October 2025) produced by Counterpoints Arts.
URL:https://counterpoints.org.uk/event/kurdish-cookery/
LOCATION:Suffolk Food Hall\, Suffolk Food Hall Ltd Wherstead\,\, Ipswich\, IP9 2AB\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Learning,Platforma
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://counterpoints.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/47fdd84f-ad23-495e-a82c-1e5e6f8e0b85.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20251014T110000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20251014T120000
DTSTAMP:20260430T193557
CREATED:20250701T160907Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250902T140404Z
UID:10000531-1760439600-1760443200@counterpoints.org.uk
SUMMARY:Grow Your Digital Reach
DESCRIPTION:Grow Your Digital Reach: A guide for freelance artists with Samia Malik and the Digital Culture Network.\nPresented as part of the Platforma Festival (October 2025) produced by Counterpoints Arts. \nFree booking via Eventbrite \nSamia Malik is British Pakistani singer songwriter artist activist producer teacher based in Norwich. She recently won a Digital Culture Network Award ‘for her dedication to exploring new digital platforms to engage fresh audiences’ with spectacular and transformative results. \n\nSamia will share details of her latest ACE funded project ‘Azaadi – A Journey To Freedom’ which has a significant and ambitious digital access focus and discuss practical achievable ways in which freelancers can grow their digital reach.\n\nArts Council England’s Digital Culture Network offers free digital skills advice and training to artists\, creatives and anyone working with or for a creative or cultural organisation in England. Their digital experts – Tech Champions – can help you learn new skills\, fix problems\, or grow your audience through areas such as social media\, websites\, ticketing\, data capture and analysis\, and improving the accessibility of your online content. \n\nNicola Barratt – Social Media Tech Champion for the Digital Culture Network – will explain more about their work and how you can connect with them for support. She\, along with Samia\, will also answer questions.\n\nImage credit: Fiona Dale
URL:https://counterpoints.org.uk/event/grow-your-digital-reach/
CATEGORIES:Digital,Platforma
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://counterpoints.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Screen-Shot-2025-07-01-at-17.07.54.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20251014T110000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20251014T150000
DTSTAMP:20260430T193557
CREATED:20250914T074617Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250914T074851Z
UID:10000570-1760439600-1760454000@counterpoints.org.uk
SUMMARY:Artist Salon Saxmundham
DESCRIPTION:Are you a creative practitioner or professional working\, or wanting to work\, in diversity? \nEssex Cultural Diversity Project’s Artist Salons are free workshop and networking opportunities for creative practitioners and community organisers. Come along to share and develop ideas for art projects which celebrate diversity. There will be hands-on advice about engaging with communities and applying for public funds for community art projects. The day includes a complimentary lunch. \nPresented as part of the Platforma Festival\, produced by Counterpoints Arts\, this Artist Salon will be focussed on intercultural arts provision for migrant\, refugee and asylum seeker communities. \nFree\, but places are limited so booking is essential. \nDate: Tuesday 14 October 11am-3pm\nVenue: The Art Station\, 48 High Street\, Saxmundham\, Suffolk\, IP17 1AB \nFull details: https://essexcdp.com/event/artist-salon-saxmundham/ \nWho Should Attend? \nThe event is open to emerging or more established artists/arts organisations\, or representatives from organisations who want to develop creative projects within diversity settings. \nEssex Cultural Diversity Project’s core mission is to energise diversity in arts and heritage. \n“We know that diversity is different for everyone. Diversity for us means: cultural diversity | different ethnic backgrounds | low socio-economic backgrounds | LGBTQ+ | disability | neurodiversity | or an intersection of these. We often support artists and projects that engage with: deprived communities | marginalised voices | communities with little or no access to the Arts | those who are culturally curious or want to connect with where they live in different ways.” \nGuest Speakers\nAngie Lee-Foster is Programme Manager for Creative Health at Britten Pears Arts. Britten Pears Arts is a pioneering cultural charity which uses music to transform people’s lives\, to bring communities together and enhance daily life. \nTor Cooke is Programme Manager for The Art Station. The Art Station is a dynamic\, ambitious\, arts charity\, developing and supporting culture and creativity in East Suffolk through a free Arts and Learning programme. \nHosts and Partners\nThis Artist Salon is developed in partnership with Britten Pears Arts and Snape Maltings\, with Angie Lee-Foster\, Programme Manager for Creative Health at Britten Pears Arts. Britten Pears Arts is a pioneering cultural charity which uses music to transform people’s lives\, bringing communities together and enhancing daily life. \nThe Art Station is a charity arts organisation providing a new creative hub in Saxmundham\, a rural market town in coastal Suffolk. Having completed a major refurbishment of the first floor of a former 1950’s telephone exchange and post office\, The Art Station’s unique venue has become a base for a dynamic and engaging arts and community programme. They aim to unlock potential and effect real change – enabling people to come together to form communities around the creative industries and tech. By providing affordable creative space for local artists\, makers and tech developers\, alongside exhibition and event spaces\, The Art Station is developing new networks in the region and provides access to unique creative opportunities. \n \n \n                    
URL:https://counterpoints.org.uk/event/artist-salon-saxmundham/
LOCATION:The Art Station\, 48 High Street\, Saxmundham\, P17 1AB\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Learning,Platforma
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://counterpoints.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Artwork-625x425-1.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20251015
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20251020
DTSTAMP:20260430T193557
CREATED:20250902T120721Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250902T120829Z
UID:10000567-1760486400-1760918399@counterpoints.org.uk
SUMMARY:Back To Where We Came From
DESCRIPTION:Emanuela Cusin & Sarah Wood\nOpen: 11-5pm \nCo-commissioned and presented as part of the Platforma Festival (October 2025) produced by Counterpoints Arts. \nBack to Where We Came From is an installation made in response to St Peter’s\, Cambridge – an ancient church whose history is rooted in the idea of sanctuary. The church was not only a site of welcome for travellers arriving in the north of the city but was also\, until the early 17th century\, a site in which a fugitive could temporarily rest\, immune from arrest\, a space apart from the legal process of the state. \nNow in a time of closing borders\, when the idea about who belongs and who doesn’t is at the forefront of the world’s right-wing ideological preoccupation Back To Where We Came From will inhabit this historical space to ask how sanctuary today can operate to provide containment and enable reparation in the wider world. \nTaking the artist Gustav Metzger’s aesthetic response to the aftermath of WW2 deportation as a shared starting point artists Emanuela Cusin and Sarah Wood will create an installation that will offer visitors not only the space to imagine future possibilities that counter exclusionary political rhetoric but also to consider how art itself can model hospitality. \nKey works: \nBREAKING POINT \nEmanuela Cusin \nMixed media\, 2025 \nIn a time characterised by economic crises\, political conflict and natural disaster\, we find ourselves caught in a prolonged state of anticipation where anxiety about the future is born from our seeming inability to prevent further catastrophes. \nBreaking Point not only mobilises but also critically interrogates this dark presentiment and perceived powerlessness. Taking inspiration from the ever-changing nature of materials exposed to physical and environmental processes\, Gustav Metzger’s auto-destructive art manifesto and trauma studies\, the work creates a visual and poetic parallelism between the physical and psychological impact of destructive events.\nemanuelacusin.com \nLAND OF THE FREE \nSarah Wood \nMulti-media installation\, 2025 \nAlmost 3000 years ago the Assyrian empire deployed the policy of deportation for the very first time. 4\,000\,000 people were forcedly resettled over 250 years\, in the service of colonisation. \nFast-forward to the 21st century. In a time of spluttering political soundbite deportation continues to be the most common form of immigration enforcement across the world. It’s a policy that couples a fantasy of origin with the idea that resettlement is an action without consequence for the world’s settled populations. \nOut of sight\, out of mind? Land of the Free – will bring into focus the ethics and aesthetics of this economy of visibility/invisibility. Using family archives\, lessons from history and contemporary stories of forced removal\, Land of the Free will offer viewers the space to think about a process more usually elided from wider cultural view. \nsarahwoodworld.com \nThank you: \nAndrews Nairne\, Guy Haywood\, Tom Noblett and all the team (Kettle’s Yard\, Cambridge) \nKaren Moore (Churches Conservation Trust) \nTom Green and all the team (Counterpoints) \nRuth Campbell – Ekins and Sarah Steenhorst (METAL\, Peterborough)
URL:https://counterpoints.org.uk/event/back-to-where-we-came-from/
LOCATION:St Peter’s Church\, Castle St\, Cambridge\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Platforma,Visual Arts
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://counterpoints.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Land-of-the-Free-Sarah-Wood-1-BW-square.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20251016T130000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20251016T140000
DTSTAMP:20260430T193557
CREATED:20250830T195240Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250830T195240Z
UID:10000556-1760619600-1760623200@counterpoints.org.uk
SUMMARY:Food from Home: An Exploration of Food Memories and Identity
DESCRIPTION:From Peterborough Presents: A creative\, participatory workshop exploring connections between food\, memory\, and migration with artist Madhu Manipatruni.\nCo-commissioned and presented as part of the Platforma Festival (October 2025)\, produced by Counterpoints Arts. \nJoin artist Madhu Manipatruni for a creative\, participatory workshop exploring connections between food\, memory\, and migration. Through storytelling we’ll reflect on how food evokes identity\, belonging\, and home. Participants are invited to bring a recipe with personal or cultural significance to share. Together we will create a simple pop-up book that captures memories of food\, recipes and journeys. \nWheelchair accessible room (Howe Room). \nAge 18+ \nFree tea\, coffee and biscuits available \nDelivered by Peterborough Presents and Migrefhealth \nYou can that the opportunity to visit the free Bridging Landscapes II exhibition as part of Platforma Festival \nFull details and free booking \nAbout Platforma in Peterborough \nPlatforma 2025 in Peterborough is produced by 62 Gladstone Street\, a community-rooted arts space in the heart of Peterborough with a particular focus on supporting South Asian and MENA artists. Through exhibitions\, residencies\, and public programmes\, it provides a vital platform for underrepresented voices and fosters meaningful dialogue between artists and the wider community. \nPartners: Counterpoints Arts\, Landmark Theatres\, Peterborough Cultural Alliance\, Metal Peterborough\, Peterborough Presents\, Peterborough Museum\, HELP Charity & the Aziz Foundation \nDedication: “Our programme is dedicated to the innocent men\, women\, and children who have lost their lives\, those who have been displaced by war\, and all those seeking a safe place to call home.” \n62 Gladstone Street’s Platforma programme is supported by Arts Council England as and presented as part of the wider Platforma Festival across the East of England\, produced by Counterpoints Arts.
URL:https://counterpoints.org.uk/event/food-from-home-an-exploration-of-food-memories-and-identity/
LOCATION:Peterborough Museum and Art Gallery\, 51 Priestgate\, Peterborough\, PE1 1LF\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Literature & Spoken Word,Platforma
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://counterpoints.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/peterborough-presents.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20251017
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20251020
DTSTAMP:20260430T193557
CREATED:20250914T075757Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251015T121705Z
UID:10000572-1760659200-1760918399@counterpoints.org.uk
SUMMARY:Refugees Welcome Here
DESCRIPTION:Refugees Welcome Here: Cambridge Artworks welcomes refugees and asylum seekers.\nPresented as part of the Platforma Festival 2025\, produced by Counterpoints Arts. \nFriday 17 th October to Sunday 19 th October\n12 to 6pm\nPreview Friday 17 th October 7pm to 9pm \nThis show brings together the work of studio artists based at Cambridge Artworks and refugees in Cambridge. \nSeveral of the Artworks studio artists have been working alongside refugees and creating art about displacement for many years\, some are migrants or refugees themselves. This exhibition enables us to demonstrate our solidarity and continued\nsupport for refugees in Cambridge and the UK. \nContributing Artists\nJan Ayton\nAnna Brownsted\nRachel Dormor\nJill Eastland\nAli Hunte\nKiarash Khazaei\nSusan Mealing\nIdit Nathan\nMohammad Noureddini\nDell Olsen\nMojgan Rajabpour\nSally Todd\nSarah Wood\nRachel Wooller\nJohn Yayen\nSanam Yousef\nAdditional women refugees attending Cambridge Women’s Resources Centre \nMain image: “Sanam’s Journey”
URL:https://counterpoints.org.uk/event/refugees-welcome-here/
LOCATION:Cambridge Artworks and Artspace\, 5 Green's Road\, Cambridge\, CB4 3EF\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Platforma,Visual Arts
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://counterpoints.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Sanams-Journey.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20251017T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20251017T130000
DTSTAMP:20260430T193557
CREATED:20250831T101550Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250831T101550Z
UID:10000562-1760695200-1760706000@counterpoints.org.uk
SUMMARY:Home from Home Poetry Workshop
DESCRIPTION:Join local writer Sue Wallace-Shaddad for a poetry workshop reflecting on the challenges of belonging and consider what makes us who we are\, and how our identities are influenced by others.\nPresented by Suffolk Archives as part of the Platforma Festival (October 2025) produced by Counterpoints Arts. \nFree booking \nAge 16+ \nBeing part of a community and feeling you belong are foundational aspects of human life; they provide stability and a sense of identity. Too often\, reality is rather different. A person may become separated from their community because of personal circumstance\, conflict or war and have to learn how to belong in a different place. People may have links to more than one community through their heritage and feel they have to negotiate who they are\, where they belong. \nIn this workshop you will read and discuss poems and respond to writing prompts drawing on your own experience and that of others. \nPlease bring a photograph or small object to help stimulate your writing.
URL:https://counterpoints.org.uk/event/home-from-home-poetry-workshop/
LOCATION:The Hold\, Ipswich\, IP4 1LN\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Literature & Spoken Word,Platforma
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://counterpoints.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/the-hold.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20251017T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20251026T170000
DTSTAMP:20260430T193557
CREATED:20250815T154755Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251009T072043Z
UID:10000548-1760695200-1761498000@counterpoints.org.uk
SUMMARY:MAS(S)
DESCRIPTION:MAS(S) is a new Sound Art Project created by artists Tristan Shorr and Rae Champion (CONCRETE) in collaboration with Scottish artist Lomond Campbell\, exploring migration\, refugees\, war and loss through the human voice. \nA series of generative sound sculptures turn the audio testimonies of refugees into a multi-channel sound experience\, culminating in a voice siren that will call out along the British coastline\, allowing audiences to actively walk the siren call together\, mapping our borders. \nCo-commissioned an presented in Great Yarmouth in partnership with Yarmonics and Original Projects as part of the Platforma Festival (October 2025) produced by Counterpoints Arts. \nVoice Siren Walks (approx 45 mins):\n– Friday 17th 2pm > free booking\n– Sunday 19th 2pm + 4pm > free booking\n\nMeet:\n\nUnderneath Britannia Pier\, Marine Parade\, Great Yarmouth NR30 2EH\n\n\n\nhttps://counterpoints.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/VIDEO-2025-10-01-21-27-58.mp4\n\nCONCRETE are two artists that come together to create political and social art. Their works look to highlight\, provoke and ignite conversation\, providing ways for audiences and participants to interact and explore the common landscape individually and collectively\, being held within sensory and sonic expansions. \nMAS(S) is an acronym taken from the works orginal title Make A Stand. MAS(S) represents an uprising of people\, voices\, protests\, and the power of song in the form of a choral mass. “The very form of sound itself can be disruptive since it can transgress borders\, barricades and blockades.” Christopher Cox
URL:https://counterpoints.org.uk/event/mass/
LOCATION:Voice Siren Walks\, Underneath Britannia Pier\, Marine Parade\,\, Great Yarmouth\, NR30 2EH
CATEGORIES:Platforma,Sound Art
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://counterpoints.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Main-Press-image.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20251017T193000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20251017T203000
DTSTAMP:20260430T193557
CREATED:20250912T095750Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250930T065455Z
UID:10000569-1760729400-1760733000@counterpoints.org.uk
SUMMARY:No Direction Home x Platforma
DESCRIPTION:The No Direction Home stand-up comedy collective comes to East Bergholt for one night only!\nA fun night of comedy featuring a fresh collective of stand-up comedians from refugee and migrant backgrounds. Produced by Counterpoints Arts as part of the Platforma Festival 2025. \nHosted by Laith Elzubaidi. Featuring Selam Amare\, Alaa Shasheet and Victor Rios \nOld Hall\, Rectory Hill\, East Bergholt\nFriday 17th October\n£5 entry on the door\nDoors open 7pm\nArrive early to ensure entry\nBar available\n07990802766\neastbergholtglobal@gmail.com \nFundraising for Medical Aid for Palestinians\n(MAP registered charity: 1045316) \nLaith Elzubaidi is a British-Iraqi Comedy and Drama Screenwriter\, Director and Producer based in London. His recent play Insane Asylum Seekers was a sell-out hit at the Bush Theatre in London. \nA proud Ethiopian\, Selam Amare is an entrepreneur and comedian. Selam is the founder of Selam Le Ethiopia and Azmari Bet – an initiative that promotes Ethiopian culture through music\, performance and food. Selam has created a very funny and charming storytelling persona of her own\, sharing experiences of both Ethiopia and England. \nAlaa Shasheet is a newcomer to the comedy scene\, making appearances at open mics and gigs events in London. His material often touches on race and cultural differences\, drawing from his experiences as a Syrian refugee living in London. Through humour\, he shares relatable stories from life. \nNominated for the TV Collective’s Breakthrough Leaders Programme 2025\, Victor Rios is a performer\, artist\, theatre facilitator and filmmaker. Victor is the co-founder of LatinX Actors UK\, a database of Latin-American actors and performers based in the UK. He has worked with organisations including the Royal Festival Hall\, Red Cross\, Young Roots and Brixton House.
URL:https://counterpoints.org.uk/event/no-direction-home-x-platforma/
LOCATION:Old Hall\, Rectory Hill\, East Bergholt\, Colchester\, CO7 6TG\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Comedy,Platforma
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://counterpoints.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/0H9A0163.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20251018
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20251019
DTSTAMP:20260430T193557
CREATED:20250723T160640Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250905T121516Z
UID:10000541-1760745600-1760831999@counterpoints.org.uk
SUMMARY:Welcome
DESCRIPTION:Welcome is an interactive\, site-responsive performance by Belén Yáñez that invites audiences to reflect on their interactions with people they don’t know in new contexts.\nWearing full-face masks and headphones\, participants are guided through a sound-based narrative that offers a reimagined perspective on their surroundings.\nSet in unconventional locations and facilitated by performers\, Welcome transforms everyday spaces into immersive landscapes\, encouraging participants to engage with their environment and each other in new ways. \nThis is a fully interactive experience. All participants will be required to wear headphones and a full-face mask for the duration of the performance. There is no speaking involved\, but active engagement through movement. \nGreat Yarmouth Beach (2 durational performances)\nSaturday 18th October: 10:00–13:00 & 15:00–18:00 \nCo-commissioned by Counterpoints Arts. Presented in partnership with Yarmonics\, as part of the Platforma Festival (October 2025) produced by Counterpoints Arts. Supported by Arts Council England. \nhttps://www.belenlyanez.com/welcome \nAge Recommendation 12+ (for participation) \nConceived & Directed\nBelén Yáñez \nOriginal Music and Sound Design\nMike de Lis \nPiti Varela \nChris Murphy \nPerformer\nBelén Yáñez \nJosé Gonçalo Pais \nMasks\nCarmen Triguero \nCostumes\nRocio H. Valentín \nBelén Yáñez\nBelén is an interdisciplinary artist whose participatory practice blends performance\, installation\, sound\, and visual art.\nHer work explores how social conventions shape behaviour and perception\, using immersive spaces rooted in everyday experiences to foster shared understanding and collective action. Her pieces are designed to stimulate the imagination of those who engage with them\, fostering a sense of connection and\nco-creation.\nhttps://www.belenlyanez.com/\nhttps://www.instagram.com/belenlyanez/
URL:https://counterpoints.org.uk/event/welcome-2/
LOCATION:Original Projects\, Market Gates Shopping Centre\, PRIMEYARC\, Great Yarmouth\, NR30 2BG\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Performance,Platforma
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://counterpoints.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Welcome_2.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20251018T120000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20251018T133000
DTSTAMP:20260430T193557
CREATED:20250830T200427Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250830T201712Z
UID:10000557-1760788800-1760794200@counterpoints.org.uk
SUMMARY:Lunch with the Aziz Foundation
DESCRIPTION:Join the Aziz Foundation for lunch and hear about their support for British Muslim communities in the media\, the arts\, and public life.\nCo-commissioned and presented as part of the Platforma Festival (October 2025)\, produced by Counterpoints Arts. \nJoin the Aziz Foundation for an informal lunch and introduction to their philanthropic work supporting British Muslim communities in media\, the arts\, and public life. Learn about their Masters scholarships\, offered in partnership with leading UK universities\, as well as traineeship opportunities designed to help develop the next generation of cultural leaders and creatives. Enjoy food\, conversation\, and practical insights into how the Foundation is helping to increase access\, representation\, and opportunity in the creative and public sectors. \nFree entry | Young people 15+ \nFull information and booking \nAbout Platforma in Peterborough \nPlatforma 2025 in Peterborough is produced by 62 Gladstone Street\, a community-rooted arts space in the heart of Peterborough with a particular focus on supporting South Asian and MENA artists. Through exhibitions\, residencies\, and public programmes\, it provides a vital platform for underrepresented voices and fosters meaningful dialogue between artists and the wider community. \nPartners: Counterpoints Arts\, Landmark Theatres\, Peterborough Cultural Alliance\, Metal Peterborough\, Peterborough Presents\, Peterborough Museum\, HELP Charity & the Aziz Foundation \nDedication: “Our programme is dedicated to the innocent men\, women\, and children who have lost their lives\, those who have been displaced by war\, and all those seeking a safe place to call home.” \n62 Gladstone Street’s Platforma programme is supported by Arts Council England as and presented as part of the wider Platforma Festival across the East of England\, produced by Counterpoints Arts.
URL:https://counterpoints.org.uk/event/lunch-with-the-aziz-foundation/
LOCATION:Gladstone Connect Ltd\, 157 Cromwell Road\, Peterborough\, PE1 2EL\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Community & Participation,Platforma
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://counterpoints.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/aziz-foundation.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20251018T120000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20251018T170000
DTSTAMP:20260430T193557
CREATED:20250714T132305Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251003T112807Z
UID:10000536-1760788800-1760806800@counterpoints.org.uk
SUMMARY:Community Takeover @ Jerwood DanceHouse
DESCRIPTION:Platforma Community Takeover at the Jerwood DanceHouse\nA day of sharing and celebration\, giving space to artists and arts made by and with migrant and refugee communities to tell stories and highlight the important role of the arts and the fantastic work that takes place across Suffolk and the East of England. The Jerwood DanceHouse will come alive with performances\, artwork\, films\, poetry\, spoken word and much more. An enriching day of arts and culture not to be missed! \nPresented as part of the Platforma Festival (October 2025) produced by Counterpoints Arts\, supported by Suffolk County Council. \nVibrant. Courageous. Uplifting. \nFrom midday onwards. \nView the full programme \nA day of sharing and celebration\, giving space to artists and arts made by and with migrant and refugee communities to tell stories and highlight the important role of the arts and the fantastic work that takes place across Ipswich. The Jerwood DanceHouse will come alive with performances\, artwork\, films\, poetry\, spoken word and much more. An enriching day of arts and culture not to be missed! \nTheatre\nThe studio theatre will showcase a vibrant programme of dance\, theatre and music brought to you by local Bollywood group\, Dance Folks\, Norwich Theatre’s Being Migrant group\, and Status Creative’s young refugee musicians\, to name a few. There will also be a range of films and presentations\, showcasing some amazing projects from The Hold’s Arrivals project to Addictive TV’s Orchestra of Samples global music project. Ipswich Windrush Society\, Ipswich Romanian Community and This is Ipswich join forces to highlight stories of resilience and migration through film and Hannah Aria will present a virtual gallery for her Window to the Soul exhibition\, sharing artwork\, poetry and creative writing from women and girls from Afghanistan. \nArt\, Textile & Photography\nA range of local artists and photographers will exhibit their work in our Whistler Gallery and throughout the building\, including one of the photographers behind the brilliant Portrait of Norwich Road exhibition. In the Wellbeing Studio\, you will find Colchester-based RAMA (Refugee\, Asylum seeker & Migrant Action) sharing some of the artwork made by the individuals they work with and Suffolk Refugee Support’s Women’s Sewing Group with an exhibition of their textile creations. \nWorkshops & Activities\nCatch Gecko Theatre’s Associate Director\, Helen Baggett\, for a movement workshop in the Ashton Studio delving into the companies practice and work with refugees and migrant groups. The Hold will be running family-friendly arts & crafts activities in the Wellbeing Studio alongside a range of other stands and stalls. Join Future Female Society’s Woman 2 Woman Radio live sessions and listen to the 1SAF podcasts sharing personal stories of migration. \nFood\nWe’re excited to be working with The Hive and their incredible group of community cooks to offer an array of delicious food for all to enjoy throughout the afternoon. \nImage Credit: Norwich Theatre workshop – Credit Malachy Luckie
URL:https://counterpoints.org.uk/event/community-takeover-jerwood-dancehouse/
LOCATION:DanceEast\, Jerwood DanceHouse\, Foundry Lane\, Ipswich\, IP4 1DW\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Platforma
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://counterpoints.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Norwich-Theatre-of-Sanctuary-Malachy-Luckie-5-2-1024x683-1.jpg
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