I never met Mira personally. But now, after reading the answers she wrote to my questions below, I can’t wait for June 12th, so I could hug her with all my heart. Deeply touched and honored to host Mira Awad in our festival:
Mira Awad is a Palestinian-Israeli award-winning Singer, Songwriter, Actress, TV Creator, Stage Performance Coach, Storytelling Consultant, Artist & Activist promoting compassion and solidarity through the Arts. Currently living in London.
- Mira, what makes you feel homesick?
The question folds a bigger question, which is: Where is home for me?
If we are talking about my childhood home, then certain smells, like Jasmine or trees in bloom, or the smell of the earth after rain, these immediately transport me to my childhood home, and to the little girl I was.
But as a citizen of the world, home is also wherever the life I create is happening, it is a place in my heart, I carry with me at all times. There are moments, when I feel a lack of alignment with my true self, that I miss that home, and I know I have to do something to realign and recenter.
- What makes you feel better if/when you are homesick?
When I miss my childhood home I make a big pot of Frikeh, or Maqlubeh and invite friends over. There’s a special pride I feel when my guests fall in love with these Palestinian dishes.
- What makes you feel sick of home?
Whenever I feel I’m doing more of the same, I go out on a journey outside of my comfort zone, and expand the barriers of my physical and metaphorical home.
- Why do you do/practice music?
I don’t feel like I practice music, I feel like I AM music. We all are.
- What inspires you / what is your inner drive for creation?
Creation is simply a way of communicating. Some people communicate with words, some with action, some with tunes, some with movement, some by touch, some by sound. I experience life, I feel things, I process my feelings, and I express my thoughts. It’s as natural as eating and drinking and having a chat with a friend.
- We are living in a very difficult and challenging time. If you could give one piece of advice to yourself, your fellow artists or the audience – what would it be?
Stay your course, be true to your inner voice, all the rest is noise and interference. Remember everything passes, just like clouds, the good and the bad alike, they come and they go, nothing remains, so no point in getting sucked into the turmoil, maintain your center and breathe and the clouds will move on.
- What do you expect from your upcoming performance at FRAMED FEST? / What is your wish for this specific show?
I come with no expectations, just a humble hope that our music and stories will open eyes, ears and hearts. That we leave the space after managing to create a feeling of inter-connectedness.
Interview by Yael Nachshon Levin
Photos by Daniel Tchetchik
