Event

Here I Stand

Combining choral singing, movement, spoken word, video footage, and theatrical presentation, Xara Youth Ensemble will focus on issues of access to education and the rights of girls and children everywhere. Inspired by the story of Malala Yousafzai and her campaign for girls' education in Pakistan, Here I Stand follows a group of Canadian girls as they struggle to make sense of the issues surrounding access to education worldwide and at home. In contrast to the "far-away" troubles that Malala faced in Pakistan, the performance will also draw attention to barriers to education in Canada, including the recent struggles of Attawapiskat First Nation to establish a safe elementary school for children, and the challenges faced by youth who struggle with literacy.

Set between 2012 and 2013, Here I Stand puts the spotlight on teenage girls through their discoveries and reactions to Malala's story as well as the issues facing Nova Scotian children and teens. The title "Here I Stand" is drawn from the text of Malala's iconic speech to the United Nations in July, 2013, her first public appearance after being shot by the Taliban for her advocacy of girls' rights to education. While confronting these larger issues put forth by Malala's story, the girls discover that there are also glaring educational inequalities in our Canadian school systems. They are shocked to learn about the living conditions in places like Attawapiskat, and are shocked when their own school's breakfast program is cut. Faced with these issues, the girls are forced to confront a shift in perspective in how they engage with the world and each other.

Here I Stand will be performed at Bethany United Church in Halifax on Saturday, June 6th at 7:30 pm. In addition to beautiful choral singing, the show features a professional lighting design by Matthew Downey and by video footage of news reports, edited to interplay with the story by emerging audio/video artist Aviv Dror.