Australian 'democracy stage' gives the world a voice

2 Nov 2012, 12:25 pm   -   Source: Patrick Abboud, SBS
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An Australian theatre project exploring people's perception of democracy is filling stages around the world with a new voice.

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Of the world's 195 (or more, depending on how you count them) countries, most claim to be democratic. But depending on where you live, freedom and equality are not necessarily there for the taking.

For decades the fight for democracy in some parts of the world has seen many  dictators overthrown by their own people.

The Nobel Prize organisation claims more than 100 countries do not provide their citizens with the basic human right of democracy, equating to 4 billion people.

Enter stage left, "The Democratic Set," a custom-built kind of democracy. Albeit somewhat idealistic it's made right here in Australia.

Wadhah is a 17-year-old Australian, originally from Iraq.

"When you ask someone about democracy they gonna say like ‘election’. Democracy is not about election; it’s about having a free life, living in your country without being forced to go to the military,  without being forced to live in a dictator house."

In his early teens Wadhah’s father was conscripted to the military under the Saddam Hussein regime. Adamant he wanted his family to grow up in a democracy he escaped Iraq and so Wahdah’s life on the run began.

"I’m so glad and happy that I’m here in Australia now, he says."

Before arriving in Australia less than 18 months ago the family spent most of their life in refugee camps in Syria, Lebanon and Jordan.

"Finally I have a place to bond with. Here we have democracy in its very deep meaning where we can express about our feelings, express about ourselves without being forced to accept someone else ideas just because he’s above us - just because he’s in control".

Wadhah is one of hundreds around the world that have taken part in "The Democratic Set"  devised by the Australian ‘Back to Back’ theatre company.

"I want the community to be represented in its diversity and their expression of democracy to be represented and seen – that’s my desire. I’m quite excited about it," says Tamara Searle, Artistic Associate of the company.

Participants from diverse communities are invited into this custom made film set, a neutral room with two opposing doors. They’re given 16 seconds to present their opinions on democracy. Contributions are neither restricted nor censored.

Claudia Chidiac is 34. She’s Lebanese Australian.

"The idea of democracy to me is quite basic – it’s being able to feel safe, she says."

She stands in front of the camera inside "The Democratic Set" box holding placards with the names of civilians that were killed last week when a bomb targeting a government official detonated in Beirut.

Ms Chidiac says it’s the "true" fight for democracy in her homeland that can trigger these attacks. "In principle Lebanon and most countries in the world are democratic but in theory I don't think it is."

Although "The Democratic Set" is obviously not going to bring about democracy tomorrow, Ms Chidiac explains it does provide an important platform for debate and freedom of expression.

"It creates conversations. For the viewer that person may see something they haven’t seen before. It may raise a question that they haven’t asked before, she says"

Participants' responses are filmed as rapid live performances which form a series of short video portraits.

The project explores the belief that all people are equal and should enjoy social, political and economic rights and opportunities. Tamara Searle says the responses from the culturally diverse communities she's working with are almost always different.

"Some responses have been movement based. For example in Darwin and Tenant Creek we had a lot of indigenous people dancing – a dance can be an expression of democracy".

"The Democratic Set" has toured to 23 cities and will continue to travel around the world.



                                                                                              

Patrick Abboud SBS , Theatre (Topic) , Democracy

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