Milk before or after tea?

[Sahand Sahebdivani]

Hi everyone,

Here's a thought I've been sitting on for a while. Or at least, since I saw a particular episode of the TV-series the Diplomat: 

Sometimes a story becomes so powerful it can feel like reality, particularly to those deeply familiar with the story, while completely absurd to those outside of it. The story in question was that those of a particular class should add the tea to the cup after the milk, while other classes should add the milk after. The story of course is not about what the proper way is to drink the tea, the habit was born out of practical consideration: More expensive china could hold the hot brew without cracking, while cheaper cups couldn't stand the heat. It was a narrative that there's a distinction between people, even when one invests in proper drinking wares and etiquette. An invisible line that can't be crossed. 

Another story is that some of us are born into a culture of listening to music and stories. So often I heard, oh, of course you're a storyteller. You're Persian! As if it wasn't a daily choice by my mother to sing songs as she rode her bike through the streets of Amsterdam, or my dad to tell us stories. Quite obviously I worked hard to learn the art and craft of telling stories, Like all the ones you see in Mezrab, regardless of background. If being from Iran was the only requirement to be a storyteller, we would have 60.000 of us in the Netherlands.

No, the distinction between the milk first and milk after class often is that the one has ancestors who spoke French and joined an invading force from Normandy, to settle themselves, through bloody force, as the new rulers of the land. Just like the distinction between those who are storytellers and those who are not (just like any other artform), relies on you investing in it. Go on, tell your friends stories, sign up for that Wednesday night open stage and take some courses at our school here. 

Tonight (Tuesday) we have the political storytelling event Samizdat, where the personal meets the political. I am curious if the host Raffi has anything to say about the stories that keep a firm grip on our realities. Either way, you should come. The event starts at 20.00, entrance is free!

On Thursday we have an intimate music event called Gay & Unplugged. Listen to the sounds and songs of Samuel Andryk and Stemin. Listen to their work here and get your tickets. The night is not limited to the Gay and Unplugged. The straight and/or plugged are also welcome!

Saturday night is party time with another edition of Disco Diaspora. This edition dives into the tracks of Cabo Verde. Wow... Listen! Student tickets available!

Finally on Sunday, on King's night, Mezrab is a refuge for those who want to be outside of the city's madness or partake in the celebration of an imagined upper class. We continue with a special edition of the Orchestre Partout jams! You're welcome to come and listen, and/or play along. Entrance is free!

There's so many more events coming up, especially music, like the living legends of Chile and Lebanon visiting us (yes, we have Nano Stern and Zeid Hamdan doing shows, what??). Don't want to miss out? Go to mezrab.nl and click on the button full program.

That's it for now, see you at the events!

Sahand & Team

www.mezrab.nl

PS, what makes the tea/milk story so absurd is that as an Iranian I believe no civilized person would ever ruin a perfectly good cup of tea by adding milk to it. 

PPS. Look! The amazing Mary dropped another heartbreaking Armenian folk song. And I was allowed to accompany her on strings! Give it a like and a share if you enjoy it!