Composed by Layale Chaker in 2023, “Radio Afloat”, the vision of a radio lost at sea, evokes a reflection on the intertwined destinies of people and the natural world, which manifest even louder in times of collective pain; a commentary on the ebb and flow of politics of power, conflict and dominance that exacerbate the vulnerability of the land and those who tend to it.

Conceived as a suite of intersecting movements, it echoes “The Trace of Blue Passion”, a poem by Lebanese author Ounsi el-Hage:

“... And just as birds flock wisely I trekked from ocean to ocean From peak to branch From night to night to night Until I was hit With the prestige of sweet madness. After we witnessed the extent of birds' wisdom I remind you that it is in the nature of creatures To harm themselves. I was a turtle on the rocks Engraved on tree trunks and bolsters Engraved on rings Engraved on the ankles of mountains. And I saw space So I saw space And when I saw its beauty, I fell in love with a dove who carried me. And when she smelled, adoringly, the earth on me She laid me down in the soil And from the dove, I raised myself...”

(translated from Arabic by Sara Elkamel)