Podcast | Culture, Conflict & Mental Health (Part 1)
When conflict hits and healthcare systems collapse, culture and art practices remain essential for communities. How do music, art, and living heritage become primary responses to collective trauma, when formal mental health infrastructure are lacking?
This two-part podcast series is commissioned as part of culture360.ASEF.org's Redefining 'Well-being' through Culture open call. Through a series of articles, video interviews and podcasts, we delve into the multidimensional contribution of culture towards good physical health, mental health, individual and societal well-being.
When communities face conflict and crisis, how does culture become a lifeline for mental health? Despite the growing recognition of culture’s role in mental health initiatives, significant gaps remain, including the urgency of involving and engaging with communities in crisis contexts for arts-based initiatives.
In a joint podcast collaboration with culture Solutions, a social innovation group analysing the place and role of culture in the European Union's external relations, part 1 addresses this gap by centering grassroots and community-led voices and initiatives, using the transmission of music in Myanmar as a case study, and its role in situations of conflict and crisis.
Host Xhesjana Haxhiu from culture Solutions speaks with:
- Maw Hpray Myar (Nene), a Myanmar activist and musician
- Ian Thomas, Head of Arts, Research and Insights at the British Council
- Lora Ksieniewicz, Humanitarian developing ties to bridge resources with those in conflict zones based in the US
Following Myanmar’s 2021 military coup, a young Karenni violinist decided to bring music for youth from her community as an act of resistance. A British Council expert shares how this leads us to rethink cultural protection, and a US-based humanitarian showcases efforts to bridge funding gaps acknowledging the universality of human suffering.
Cover image: Maw Hpray Myar playing the violin. Photo © Maw Hpray Myar.
Listen to the episode on Spotify here:
Episode show notes: