On Wednesday, 29 May, a relatively quiet part of the historic old town in Geneva came alive with a flurry of people making their way to the Salle Centrale de la Madeleine to come and see Beyond Borders – Stories of Feminist Resistance. Organised by WILPF, this event promised an evening of powerful storytelling performances highlighting feminist resistance from Ukraine, Iran, Afghanistan, and Palestine. It aimed to bring attention back to long-standing conflicts often forgotten amidst shifting global focus. And indeed, it was a remarkable evening.
The event featured a range of impressive acts from the Geneva area, including songs, poetry, dance, and music.
WILPF’s Secretary-General, Madeleine Rees, opened the evening with a speech about the WILPF’s founding in 1915, the vision of its foremothers, and its ongoing work towards a peaceful world where everyone can thrive. She also underscored the dangers of patriarchy and militaristic thinking.
The Line Up
The performances began with Habibitch, a dancer, choreographer, and activist, who captivated the audience with her provocative dance choreography and presentation on challenging norms through the dancefloor in France and globally.
The Ukraine Segment
The concert’s first segment transported the audience to Ukraine, where the Ukrainian choir “Kalynovyi Tsvit” performed touching hymns. Formed in July 2022, just a few months after the invasion of Ukraine, the choir was initiated by the Carouge Theatre with support from the Salvation Army. Their folk songs and poetry convey stories of resistance and cultural preservation.
Next was Ksanti, a Geneva-based Ukrainian singer and peace ambassador for Genius Space Ukraine. She performed two energetic pop songs in Ukrainian, delighting the audience.
To highlight trafficking as one of the many gendered impacts of conflict, Katrina Syran, a Geneva-based singer-songwriter, actress, author, director, and activist, delivered a powerful monologue on the harsh realities of conflict.
The Afghanistan Segment
The audience then learned about the dire situation in Afghanistan and the plight of those forced to flee through a touching interview with Nasima Zirak and Musawer Khanzai. They shared their journey as refugees and former members of the Afghan official snowboarding team. Musawer reflected on the day the Taliban took over: “It was seeing all your dreams in life, just falling apart in a matter of nights. The city I used to live in, known as the ‘City of Love,’ turned into a shadow of darkness with an uncertain future.”
They recounted how French snowboarders from Snowboarders of Solidarity helped them find safety in Annecy, rebuild their lives, and use snowboarding as a tool for social integration and resilience. Nasima has started a Tribee page to fund her dream of attending university. Donations can be made here.
The Iran Segment
Marianne Herjean and Arman Rashid transported the audience to Iran with a mesmerizing dance of the whirling dervishes, a form of meditation practiced since the 13th century, traditionally performed by men. Arman Rashidi, a renowned musician from Tehran, accompanied her on the Santour, a traditional Persian instrument.
And finally – the Palestine Segment
“WILPF has been working for a long time trying to find pathways for peace. In this specific segment, we’re going to highlight culture and tradition and through it the importance of recognition, protection, justice and liberation” – introduced Sara Dominguez and Camille Coquoz. The evening’s final portion showcased traditional Palestinian attire from different regions of Palestine, each piece telling a unique story through its embroidery and stitches of resistance. The show, curated by Rania Almadi with narration by Béatrice Leresch, was a poignant end to the night.
To officially conclude the evening, Madeleine Rees, WILPF Secretary-General, expressed her gratitude:
“Language matters. The way we tell our stories, as we’ve seen tonight, shapes reality. By creating new narratives through our chosen forms of resistance, we can move away from constant conflict and towards peace. This has been WILPF’s mission for 109 years and will continue to be. Thank you to absolutely everybody who has been a part of this.”
With a great turnout and diverse audience, the evening received overwhelmingly positive feedback. For WILPF, one of the oldest peacebuilding organisations based in Geneva for over 100 years, this event was a unique opportunity to showcase its work and highlight key feminist issues in a new and compelling way, emphasising the ongoing importance of its movement.
The event was hosted by Camille Coquoz and Sara Dominguez from WILPF’s International Secretariat.
More information about the performers can be accessed here.
