REAL YET SURREAL | a review of our recent ‘Burning Blood’ performance | by Kiran Aswani

 

Kiran Aswani

Am very happy to hereby introduce one of the recently adjoined members of our Get in Touch family: Kiran Aswani.

Her professional background is an extraordinary mix of as well finances as psychology. Her interests are wide, her skills are pluriform, her energy (also mum of 2 primary school kids) is great.

Within GiT she is actively involved in all sorts of supportive activities, right from the start. And also outside GiT, Kiran is collaborating with Indigo-Wereld, in various ways.

Her cultural interest made her curious about my recent poetry program ‘Burning Blood’. A poetry & music performance with my dear regular musicians Erik Deckert (didgeridoo) and Arash Mahdavian (tar & setar). Together, we are already for around 5 years the ‘Burning Blood Ensemble’.

For this particular performance though, I had also invited some other artists and production supporters, who crossed my path. Altogether, we shaped it into a mixed media show, co-created and performed in close and warm collaboration as a joint venture: now turned into our ‘Burning Blood Collective’, led by me. The premiere took place in the beautiful and well-equipped auditorium of The Student Hotel, and I am very pleased, that Kiran has been watching us!

Even more, am very thrilled, that she took the initiative to write this article about the show and how she perceived and experienced it. Thanks a lot, Kiran!

Enjoy!

REAL YET SURREAL | BY KIRAN ASWANI

The Burning Blood collective presented an emotional treat with a unique combination of music and visuals centered on spoken word.

As titled aptly, it was truly a show about lost longings, wounded desires and reflections on roots and reality. Carola was raw in her emotions and thoughts yet intricate in the feelings and thoughts she presented. The musicians on setar, guitar and didgeridoo only helped extend those emotions and thoughts she was conveying to the audience. The performance and artwork showcased in the background on a projector interweaved itself beautifully into the sounds of the instruments and spoken word.

It was juxtaposition to a Sunday afternoon, transporting one away on a different vibration!

A few lines from the beginning of the presentation:

lying down, she is, in silence

full of thoughts

gently her arms next to her body 

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Irma Speetjes & her Childbirth Class | Interview by our GiT spouse Irem Bezcioglu

Am very happy to present this interview with Irma Speetjens about her Childbirth Class, initiated and carried out by Irem Bezcioglu!

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Finding your way in a new country is demanding! There are thousands of things to ask, learn and remember. After living in Eindhoven for more than 4 years, I thought I had learnt enough!

Yet I started all over again when I found out I was going to have a baby. Among the many learning experiences during pregnancy, taking a childbirth class was by far the most useful one. I am happy that I contacted Irma Speetjens, a mother of four kids, a nurse, and a childbirth class teacher, to help me facilitate the birth of my son.

In her classes, Irma makes sure couples are well prepared for what expects them before, during and after the labor. This post is all about her; who she is, how she started to work with internationals, what she offers in her classes, etc.

Enjoy! 

Irem

Irma Speetjens with the lovely handsome son Kuzey of Irem Bezcioglu

Could you tell us about yourself?

I’m a mother of 4 children, 3 sons and one daughter. I love biking, like reading books and shop in town and feel relaxed on our boat and enjoy the Netherlands from the water. Besides that there is always something going on in my lovely family.

After being a hospital-based nurse for 12 years I became a mother. Because of these new family commitments, I started the childbirth education of Samen Bevallen. Since 1997 I have worked as a childbirth class teacher and I give classes in Dutch two evenings a week.

I know what it is like to be expecting a baby in a culture other than your own and all the uncertainty and emotions that this can bring. I specialize in prenatal individual or group childbirth classes- information sessions and coaching for international couples expecting a baby in the Netherlands.

I really enjoy working with pregnant women during pregnancy and birth. My aim is to help couples have a memorable and empowering birthing experience in the Netherlands. I hope that every international parent-to-be I support will anticipate their birth with confidence, look back at their birthing experience with contentment and feel prepared and excited about becoming new parents in Holland.

How did you begin with the birth class for internationals?

As a former expat myself, having lived in the United States and also Japan, I have personal experience of what it is like to move countries and find your way in a new totally different system. My husband works at ASML and he knows how many expats are living in Eindhoven. And being pregnant! He motivated me to start my English classes.

This was the inspiration for starting my English spoken classes in 2000.

How can internationals benefit from your classes?

GiT Masterchef Turkish Recipes (4) | Semolina Halva with Ice cream| Ayşe Içaçan

Ayşe Içaçan

Happy to introduce our GiT spouse Ayşe Içaçan, for our last recipe (4) in the small serial of Turkish recipes.

Last but not least .. this time a delicious sweet dessert, called: Semolina Halva with Ice cream.

Enjoy and thanks Ayşe !

 

 

 

SEMOLINA HALVA WITH ICE CREAM

BACKGROUND INFO ABOUT THE DISH 

We eat this dessert generally after kebab. In kebab restaurant serve it end of the meal with Turkish tea. We like to eat sweet thing after meals 🙂 And you can find it in lots of restaurants in Turkey.

PERSONAL MEMORIES OF THE ‘COOK’ ABOUT THIS DISH

I do not have any special memories about the dish. I just really love it, that is why I want you to taste it 🙂