Now I become death, the destroyer of worlds

[Sahand Sahebdivani]

Hi everyone,

A few years ago I had a storytelling troupe with which we played national epics for Dutch kids. One of the stories we tackled was that of the Mahabharata, the ancient Indian epic. The stories follows five kingly brothers who are caught up in an epic battle with their cousins. The climax of the story is a battle that will kill millions, but just before the attack is started the warrior brother Arjun falters. In this moment his charioteer reveals himself as the divinity Krishna himself. It is Krishna who convinces him to attack in a lengthy theological and philosophical conversation. His vision of the world is revealed when he shows his divinity with the lines, I am Time, the destroyer of worlds. It is this line that Oppenheimer remembers, when he witnesses the destructive power of the bomb he helped to create: Now I become Death, the destroyer of worlds. 

What do we do with these stories? In the telling and retelling, the characters die, but we can start them over, bringing to life the characters and armies to the moment they were healthy and unharmed by the destructive narrative of life.

I am happy tonight, in a night we call Mythos, we can dive into these conundrums in the shape of ancient myths and folktales. Stories that need to be told again and again because the world shows us how relevant they still are. Doors open at 19.00! Irina will host the night! 

- On Thursday we have a night of Greek Rebetiko music. Come enjoy the tunes! There are student discount tickets available!

- Saturday we have our monthly Mezrab Comedy Night! Tix here.

- On Sunday the warm music host Babak brings us together in a jam. You are welcome to join or simply to listen. Free entry.

For next week consider the following events:

- Monday (March 9) storytelling in Persian (very boring if you don't speak Persian, so don't come unless you do).

- Tuesday (March 10) a new and experimental night in which the talented Fer Rodil shows us how storytelling and theater intersect! Free night, don't miss it.

- Thursday (March 12) we have a very special international guest. The famous british storyteller Shonaleigh, who carries ancient Jewish tales, brings us a very current story: The Fool of the Warsaw ghetto. I would love for you to see this. More info and tickets.

- On Friday (March 13) we have a special night in which students work for one full day with a teacher, to show their work in the same night: The Story Lab. A cosy experiment in learning and sharing. Teacher and host on this night will be Raphael. This takes place in the OTHER Mezrab (de Wittenstraat 27). You can also join this evening as a student, there's a few slots left. More info on the school site. 

- Saturday (March 14) is time for music. This weekend with a Tropical Cumbia party starring live band (Baby Jaguars!) and DJ Baher. Look, listen and buy tix here.

That's it for now, enjoy!

Sahand & Team

www.mezrab.nl

PS, what, a Persian night and no Dutch? Well, we did start a monthly Dutch event in de Kring sociëteit. This month's edition will take place on March 19 and will be hosted by Joost. More info here.

PPS, obviously you have to still reserve your agenda for the World Storytelling Day which will take place on March 22! That's Sunday between 12.00 and 24.00 for a marathon!