Narratio is a global platform for youth empowerment through creative expression, publishing content from over 18 countries across three continents.
Narratio is a global platform for youth empowerment through creative expression, publishing content from over 18 countries across three continents.
Narratio Fellowship Class of 2019
Launched in 2019 in collaboration with the Syracuse University Humanities Center and the North Side Learning Center (NSLC) in Syracuse, NY, the inaugural Fellowship class focused on a multidisciplinary approach to self-expression which included workshops, guest speakers, and site visits, culminating in a week-long trip to New York City and a performance at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, meetings at the United Nations, Squarespace, and The New York Times.
The first cohort of Fellows were guided by Ahmed Badr, the program’s first Artist in Residence, and an amazing team of program facilitators (listed below). Together, they explored and articulated the full range of their own experiences and those of their communities through various modes of artistic expression and delivery.
The final project materialized into Intertwined Journeys, poems re-imagining the stories behind objects chosen from the Ancient Near East Department at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Intertwined Journeys also includes a photography exhibit capturing the Fellows throughout the program.
Join us in commemorating the wonderful accomplishments of the inaugural Fellowship class.
WATCH: Intertwined Journeys: Poems by the Narratio Fellows at the Metropolitan Museum of Art
— Nidaa Aljabbarin — Abdirizak Noor — Fidaa Aljabbarin — Eid Ahmed — Alfahad Tabrizi —
— Istarlin Dafe — Khadija Mohamed — Ibraheem Abdi — Nurallah Alawsaj — Abshir Habseme — Jamal Oromo —
THE FELLOWS
The inaugural class consisted of 11 Fellows, aged 17-21, representing 6 countries, all with different goals, aspirations, and storytelling backgrounds.
Alfahad Tabrizi finds his chosen object for the first time
The Fellowship at the Met
The Fellowship in New York City
Istarlin Dafe at the New York Times HQ
Abdirizak Noor and Executive Director of the Northside Learning Center Mark Cass
Khadija Mohamed during a photography workshop, Brooklyn, NY
“Every time I perform I realize how much of an impact words can have on people including myself. Every time I perform I feel like I want to do more, to speak my mind in ways that would make a difference.”
THE OBJECTS
The pilot program was focused on poetry under the guidance of Artist in Residence Ahmed Badr.
The Fellows chose objects from the Metropolitan Museum of Art Ancient Near East Galleries, and rewrote their labels as poems, tracing their own personal experiences, memories, and histories.
THE WORKSHOPS AND GUEST SESSIONS
The Fellows participated in four-week intensive storytelling and leadership workshops including sessions at The New York Times, The Office of the United Nations Secretary General’s Envoy, Squarespace and the North Side Learning Center.
Squarespace staff led the Fellows in a hands-on site-building workshop to create their own platforms
Fellows met with Jeff Brez, Chief of Civil Society at the UN Department of Information
Podcast workshops hosted at the North Side Learning Center, Syracuse
Fellows participating in a site-building workshop, Squarespace
The Fellowship traveling to their performance at the Metropolitan Museum of Art
THE PERFORMANCE
Only July 31st, 2019, the Fellows debuted their pieces from Intertwined Journeys at the Metropolitan Museum’s Royal Assyrian Court. Each poem reimagined the label of an object in the Museum’s Ancient Near East collection. Following the performance, guests had the opportunity to speak with the Fellows and learn about their creative process, their participation in the program, and the inspiration behind their pieces.
Fellow Eid Ahmed a few moments before the performance
Fidaa Aljabbarin finds her chosen object for the first time
Sarah Graff, Associate Curator, Ancient Near East Dept, Metropolitan Museum of Art
Post-performance, Abshir Habseme introduces his chosen object to a member of the audience
““Throughout this journey, I met many people who became such an inspiration in my life. Also, I got to express my experiences as a refugee from Syria, and share it with people who want to get a better understanding of what it means to be a refugee. After the Fellowship, I got inspired to write more, and express my feelings through writing.””
INTERTWINED JOURNEYS EXHIBIT AND PERFORMANCES
In addition to poems, Intertwined Journeys is also made up of a photography exhibit, capturing moments throughout the program. Fellows have peformed and exhibited their work at Christie’s New York, Syracuse University’s Community Folk Art Center, United Way, Artrage Gallery, Writing Our Life Conference, and the United Nations x Comic Relief 17on17 Summit.
The performance at Christie’s New York for Educate, a charity exhibition supporting the Luminos Fund
Narratio Managing Director Edward Grattan, Fellow Ibraheem Abdi, and Founder Ahmed Badr
Fellows Nidaa Aljabbarin, Fidaa Aljabbarin, Khadija Mohamed, Nurallah Alawsaj, Istarlin Dafe, and program facilitators Adiba Alam and Gemma Cooper-Novack
Fellows share excerpts from Intertwined Journeys and participate in discussions at the United Nations for The 17on17 Summit to End Child Hunger
Intertwined Journeys is introduced at Syracuse University’s Community Folk Art Center
Ahmed Badr, Founder & Executive Director, Narratio
Brice Nordquist, Associate Professor of Writing & Rhetoric, Dean’s Professor of Community Engagement, Syracuse University
Gemma Cooper-Novack, Writer, Poet, Ph.D Candidate at Syracuse University
Elang Basadi, Instructor, Northside Learning Center
Mark Cass, Executive Director, Northside Learning Center
Adiba Alam, Student, Syracuse University
Edward Grattan, Photographer & Managing Director, Narratio
Wilson Lai, Filmmaker
Get in touch:
