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Behrouz Boochani and Arnold Zable on the radical act of friendship

Jul 8, 2025

Guest

Arnold Zable

Guest

Behrouz Boochani

Kurdish-Iranian writer Behrouz Boochani and Australian author Arnold Zable dive into the transformative power of friendship as an act of resistance. They discuss how their bond, forged through shared hardships, highlights storytelling's role in nurturing creativity and resilience. Personal anecdotes reveal the significance of connection in overcoming trauma and displacement. Their reflections on cultural symbols, like the oak tree, showcase how stories unite us, emphasizing the importance of kindness and understanding across borders.

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ANECDOTE

Friendship from Detention to Brotherhood

Behrouz Boochani and Arnold Zable met through a mutual friend in 2014 during Behrouz's detention on Manus Island.
Their friendship quickly evolved from urgent human rights campaigning to deep creative collaboration and brotherhood.

insights

INSIGHT

Friendship Seen in a Smile

Friendship is recognized by a joyful smile shared between friends, distinct from acquaintances.
Friendship enriches perception of a city and deepens connection through shared stories and places.

insights

INSIGHT

Trust Grows in Crucial Moments

Moments of presence in times of crisis build trust and deepen friendships.
These critical shared moments become foundational for enduring creative collaboration.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

The Ties That Bind: Friendship and Creativity

02:18 • 26min

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The Power of Storytelling: Connecting Lives

28:21 • 8min

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The Symbolism of Oak Trees and Shared Stories

36:43 • 2min

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Belonging Beyond Borders

38:21 • 8min

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Bridges of Friendship

John Berger and Me: A Migrant's Eye, authored by Nikos Papastergiadis, explores themes of art, migration, and cultural identity through the lens of personal experience and critical analysis. The book examines how encounters with the work of John Berger, a renowned art critic and writer, have influenced Papastergiadis's own perspectives as a migrant. Through essays and reflections, the book delves into questions of belonging, displacement, and the role of art in shaping our understanding of the world. It provides insights into the complexities of cultural exchange and the challenges of navigating multiple identities.

The fig tree

Arnold Zable

The Fig Tree, penned by Arnold Zable, explores displacement, memory, and identity. The novel follows characters whose lives intertwine against a backdrop of migration and historical upheaval. Zable's narrative depicts the search for belonging and the complex relationship between past and present. The book resonates with themes of resilience and cultural preservation, highlighting the challenges faced by those navigating new landscapes. It captures the essence of human connection amid adversity, reminding us of the power of storytelling to shape our understanding of ourselves and the world around us.

Jewels and Ashes

Arnold Zable

Jewels and Ashes is a novel written by Arnold Zable. The story follows the journey of a young man as he delves into his family's past, uncovering the secrets and traumas that have shaped their lives. Set against the backdrop of historical events and cultural shifts, the novel explores themes of memory, identity, and the search for meaning. Zable's evocative prose brings to life the characters and their struggles, highlighting the enduring impact of the past on the present. The book ultimately celebrates the resilience of the human spirit and the power of connection to heal and transform.

A Friendly Hand

Arnold Zable's father

A Friendly Hand, penned by Arnold Zable's father, is about overcoming alienation through friendship. The poem explores feelings of isolation in a new place and highlights the transformative power of human connection. Zable's father's verses depict a protagonist walking through unfamiliar streets, feeling like a stranger in a foreign land. The poem illustrates the universal longing for belonging and the profound impact a simple act of kindness can have. The poem reminds us of the importance of reaching out to others and the potential for friendship to bridge divides.

The Watermill

Arnold Zable

The Watermill, written by Arnold Zable, delves into history, secrets, and the search for meaning. The novel unravels complex relationships against a backdrop of cultural shifts and personal transformation. Zable explores intergenerational dynamics and the echoes of the past in shaping individual identities. The book highlights the characters' resilience and their quest for understanding in the face of adversity. It invites reflection on the human spirit and the enduring power of connection to transcend time and circumstances, echoing the importance of compassion and empathy in navigating life's currents.

Café Scheherazade

Arnold Zable

Cafe Scheherazade is a collection of interconnected stories written by Arnold Zable. The book explores themes of memory, loss, and cultural identity within Melbourne's Jewish community. Each narrative offers a glimpse into the lives of individuals shaped by historical events, migration, and the search for belonging. Zable's rich prose evokes a sense of nostalgia and reflects the complexities of intergenerational relationships. The stories capture the essence of a community grappling with its past and finding solace in shared experiences. Ultimately, the book celebrates the resilience of the human spirit and the power of storytelling to bridge divides.

No Friend But The Mountain

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Patrick Burroughs

Patrick Burroughs' "No Friend But The Mountain" offers a powerful and intimate account of life in Manus Island's refugee detention center. Through vivid storytelling and personal reflections, Burroughs sheds light on the harsh realities faced by asylum seekers. The book explores themes of displacement, resilience, and the human spirit's capacity to endure in the face of adversity. Burroughs' writing is characterized by its raw honesty and emotional depth, creating a deeply moving and unforgettable reading experience. The book serves as a testament to the strength and perseverance of those seeking refuge.

On Freedom

Timothy Snyder

In 'On Freedom', Timothy Snyder argues that the concept of freedom has been misunderstood in modern America. He distinguishes between negative freedom (freedom from state power) and positive freedom (the freedom to thrive and take risks for chosen futures through collective effort). Snyder draws on the work of philosophers, political dissidents, and his own experiences to identify the habits of mind and practices necessary for designing a government that allows future generations to flourish. He emphasizes the importance of traditions, institutions, and a politics of abundance, generosity, and grace. The book also critiques libertarianism, exposes injustices in the penal system, and advocates for a culture of solidarity and strong government focused on human flourishing.

The Kurdish poet Behrouz Boochani and the Australian writer Arnold Zable explore the power of friendship as an act of resistance, nourishment and healing.

This event was recorded with the Faculty of Arts at the University of Melbourne 29 April 2025.

Speakers

Behrouz BoochaniKurdish-Iranian writer, journalist, scholar, cultural advocate, filmmaker, and public advocate for human rightsAuthor, No Friend But the Mountains: Writing from Manus Prison, and Freedom Only FreedomAdjunct Associate Professor in Social Sciences at the University of New South Wales, McGeorge Fellow, University of Melbourne

Arnold ZableAuthor, Jewels and Ashes, Café Scheherazade, The Fig Tree,The Watermill and moreWinner, Australia Council Award for a Lifetime Achievement in Literature, 2021

Nikos Papastergiadis (host)Cultural critic, essayist and author, John Berger and Me: A Migrant's EyeFormer Director of the Research Unit in Public Cultures at the University of Melbourne

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