Tag Archives: climate change

Ghoorni, a Bangladeshi play with Climate Justice Impact

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A theatrical play set in both Bangladesh and the UK is touring the North West in May 2026, titled ‘Ghoorni’ which means ‘Disastrous Cycle’. A dramatic narrative which connects with issues of climate justice, migration, heritage, identity and community. We aim to see how, with very limited resources, we can make this a Bangladeshi play with Climate Justice Impact that tackles the issues in a meaningful and action-generating way.

Promotional image from the flyer for Ghoorni split with a powerful image from a rehearsal: a Bangladeshi play with Climate Justice Impact

The play is the creation of AYNA Arts originally commissioned by Crossing Footprints in 2022. Crossing Footprints are again partnering with AYNA Arts as the Impact Producer for the tour, implementing an innovative set of strategies to enhance the ability of the play to generate real-world change. One element of this is a quick-read factsheet within the printed programme, which links (via a QR code) to a more detailed online factsheet about climate change.

Introduction to climate change factsheet
Supporting links and media for GHOORNI – Bangladeshi climate theatre
Download the full leaflet / programme for the show

SYNOPSIS OF THE PLAY:

Ghoorni is a play about two young people piecing together their family history. They discover how their grandfather came to the UK from Bangladesh in the 1970s after losing everything in a devastating cyclone that also played a significant role in the country’s history. The play highlights the climate injustice between Bangladesh and wealthier countries including the UK. Mr Ali left a country with low climate impact to work in a UK industry with high climate impact. It seems ironic that this impact is likely to damage his own home country. The play focuses on the serious issue of the climate crisis and its terrible effects on health and livelihoods across the globe. It also demonstrates the concern over these issues felt by the younger generation. Many are determined to bring about positive change. From this comes hope for the future.

Photo from a previous performance of Ghoorni, a Bangladeshi play with Climate Justice Impact
Photo from a previous performance of Ghoorni, a Bangladeshi play with Climate Justice Impact
Photo from a previous performance of Ghoorni, a Bangladeshi play with Climate Justice Impact
Photo from a previous performance of Ghoorni, a Bangladeshi play with Climate Justice Impact

GHOORNI TOUR 2026:

  • Saturday 9 May 2026, Burnley Youth Theatre, Queen’s Park Road, Burnley, BB10 3LB (Free but booking required)
  • Saturday 23 May 2026, Oldham Library Theatre Space, 35 Greaves Street, Oldham OL1 1AL (£5 tickets)
  • Sunday 24 May 2026, Carlisle Business Centre, 60 Carlisle Road, Manningham, Bradford BD8 8BD (£5 tickets)

Doors open at 12.30pm and shows start 1pm for all tour dates. More information at www.aynaarts.com and also via their Facebook page.

UK’s first theatrical play about climate justice and Bangladesh

Ghoorni byAYNA Arts is probably the UK’s first theatrical play focusing on climate change and Bangladesh. It was first commissioned by Crossing Footprints for the Manchester Histories Festival in 2022, written by Jesmin Chowdhury, directed bu Apu Chowdhury, and then performed as a short drama piece presented at Manchester Central Library’s performance space. It was to be followed by The Final Trumpet, written and produced by Bangladeshi-British artist Tasnim Siddiqa Amin in 2024, by which time a longer full length version of Ghoorni had also been developed. Both plays interwove strong themes of climate justice and together they were performed at the ‘Season of Bangla Drama’ festival in 2024.

Photo (credit: Kooj Chuhan / Crossing Footprints) from a May 2026 rehearsal of Ghoorni, a Bangladeshi play with Climate Justice Impact
Photo (credit: Kooj Chuhan / Crossing Footprints) from a May 2026 rehearsal of Ghoorni, a Bangladeshi play with Climate Justice Impact
Photo (credit: Kooj Chuhan / Crossing Footprints) from a May 2026 rehearsal of Ghoorni, a Bangladeshi play with Climate Justice Impact
Photo (credit: Kooj Chuhan / Crossing Footprints) from a May 2026 rehearsal of Ghoorni, a Bangladeshi play with Climate Justice Impact
Photo (credit: Kooj Chuhan / Crossing Footprints) from a May 2026 rehearsal of Ghoorni, a Bangladeshi play with Climate Justice Impact

above: AYNA Arts rehearsal session for Ghoorni, May 2026
(photos credit: Kooj Chuhan / Crossing Footprints)

A Bangladeshi play with Climate Justice Impact

Now in 2026 Ghoorni has evolved further, with new developments artistically and has also involved a strong and multi-level process for generating for climate justice ‘impact’. Crossing Footprints have partnered with AYNA Arts of integrating a set of strategies with the aim of doing more than simply raising awareness. With issues as urgent as this, we want people to actively do something after seeing the play -that’s what the word ‘Impact’ is about. This is important for both Bangladeshi audiences, who are often left out of many UK environmental and climate action initiatives, but also for the wider range of communities who may be moved to become active after seeing a Bangladeshi play with a central Climate Justice narrative.

More about how Crossing Footprints has partnered as an Impact Producer for this production will be published on this website in the near future. Anyone interested to know more can also get in touch via our Contact page.

Finalist for the Manchester Culture Awards

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Kooj Chuhan & Crossing Footprints: culture arts and climate justice work in Manchester 2022

A quick snapshot of work by Kooj Chuhan and Crossing Footprints showing brief excerpts of five creative projects dealing with climate justice. These were highlighted in Kooj’s nomination by Community Arts North West for the #ManchesterCultureAwards 2022 (sustainability category). Featuring collaborations with Manchester Art Gallery , Amani Creatives , Emmanuela Yogolelo, Manchester Histories and Ayna Arts.

Now Kooj is a finalist for the Manchester Culture Awards. Results are to be announced at the awards ceremony 24th Nov 2022.

Bangladesh Independence with Climate Connections

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Oldham Libraries and Crossing Footprints present an event which celebrates the final victory day for Bangladesh Independence along with a Climate Connections Women’s Group cultural presentation.

Bangladesh Independence Victory Day Celebration

বাংলাদেশের ৫১তম বিজয় দিবস উদযাপন

Artists for Bangladesh Independence with Climate Connections

featuring a programme by Ayna Arts and Climate Connections Women’s Group

জলবায়ু সংযোগ মহিলা গ্রুপ

at Northmoor Library, Wednesday 7th December 2022 4.30-6.30pm

With music and songs by Nuruzzaman Ahmed, Mitra Kabir and Luthfur Rahman

Discussion, poetry and drama by Ayna Arts

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Climate Connections Women’s Group in Oldham

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Translation of title in Bengali - Climate Connections Women's Group at Northmoor Library

Climate Connections Women’s Group
at Northmoor Library

Every Monday 10am-12noon from 7th November 2022

Social media flyer for the activities - Climate Connections Women's Group at Northmoor Library

Education, Arts and Action against Climate Change

with Jesmin Chowdhury from Ayna Arts

  • Meet  other women
  • Learn about climate change
  • Use your skills
  • Improve your English
  • Make something creative and artistic
Some things we hope to support:
  • improve buses and transport
  • reduce air pollution
  • have less litter on our streets
  • help for Bangladesh
  • influence local officials

FREE – refreshments will be provided
Northmoor Library, Chadderton Way, Oldham OL9 6DH

Climate Connections Women’s Group at Northmoor Library is organised by Crossing Footprints in partnership with Hope For The Future, Ayna Arts and Oldham Libraries

Training to Fight Climate Change

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FREE TRAINING TO FIGHT CLIMATE CHANGE
CAN THE FUTURE FOR BANGLADESH, THE UK AND THE WORLD BE BETTER?

at Northmoor Library, Chadderton Way, Oldham OL9 6DH.

Monday 3rd October, 12-2pm:
THE PROBLEM WE FACE
by Kooj Chuhan
• Understanding Climate Change
• How does it affect Bangladesh and the UK?
• What we can do about it?

Monday 10th October, 12-2pm:
LOCAL ACTION
by Arran Rangi
• Can we push our Council to do more to fight Climate Change?
• What are they doing already?
• What more should they do?

All welcome, lunch provided!
If you know people who live in the area please pass on this training to fight climate change or tell them about it.
Organised by Oldham Libraries in partnership with Crossing Footprints and Hope For The Future,with support from the Community Fund (National Lottery).

Climate Connections Community Festival at Northmoor Library

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It’s finally here, the Climate Connections Community Festival is happening outdoors at the back of Northmoor Library, Oldham on Saturday 24th Sept 2022, 12 noon – 3pm. Also coming up, free training to better understand and fight climate change on 3rd and 10th October.

Climate Connections Community Festival at Northmoor Library - banner image

So much is and has been happening due to climate change in Bangladesh over the years but so few know about it. There’s so much to say that needs to be out there and much louder than it is. Crossing Footprints are pleased to have co-developed and be supporting this Saturday’s Festival at Northmoor Library Oldham a great event with songs, stories and craftivism connecting with the Climate Emergency and a strong Bangladeshi viewpoint from some amazing artists. If you’re anywhere nearby come on down, and pass the word on.

Climate Connections Community Festival at Northmoor Library - Kayes and Ahad singing

What’s on at the Climate Connections Community Festival?

The event features Ahad Ullah Shah and Kayes Muktadir singing Bangla songs about climate change co-written with Murad Chowdhury who will also give some musical support. Then there is Apu Chowdhury from Ayna Arts who will deliver some storytelling and drama, and will also be the MC for the day. Also we have the amazing visual and craft climate activist Rabia Begum running a craftivism workshop. The local street will be closed off to be a play street so families and kids can bring their outdoor toys to play with.

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Climate Justice at Manchester Histories Festival!

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Crossing Footprints has developed a set of events focusing on Climate Justice at Manchester Histories Festival 8-12 June 2022. This year’s theme for the Festival is the history of climate change, for which Manchester has played a pivotal role as the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution.

Climate Change is a Race and Migration Is for Climate Justice at Manchester Histories Festival 2022
photo credit: Joe Brusky

We’ve organised four events in solidarity with low income and racially marginalised communities, including a panel discussion ‘Climate Change is a Race and Migration Issue‘ followed by a powerful Bangladeshi theatre piece ‘GHOORNI‘ by Ayna Arts, both at Manchester Central Library on Friday 10th June from 6pm. Then on Saturday 11th June at 6.15pm the singer-songwriter Emmanuela Yogolelo from DR Congo will perform a music set focused on Climate Justice at Angel Meadow. Finally, throughout the Festival the ‘Climate Connections‘ set of short video films made mostly by low income and diverse communities in Oldham responding to climate change will be exhibited on a screen at Oldham Art Gallery, with an informal talk by project director Kooj Chuhan at 1pm, Saturday 11th June.

Video still from video by Emmanuela Yogolelo for Climate Justice at Manchester Histories Festival

More details about our events for Climate Justice at Manchester Histories Festival below:

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Making Climate Connections

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Can words, pictures and social media empower people to protect our environment?
A project exploring some ways in which local libraries, communities and artists in Oldham and Bremen are making climate connections using educative methods and creative media.

Making Climate Connections

An online event Weds 19th May, 6.30pm (UK) / 7.30pm (Germany)

Register your place
  • Announcing the winning entries from the Climate Connections competition
  • Presenting the work produced by diverse groups in Oldham (UK) and Bremen (Germany) in the first phase of the Climate Connections project

How do local people relate to and voice their feelings about climate change? Can this expression combine with social media to have some impact on climate change? This event brings together artists, activists, libraries and community members to explore these questions. If you are interested in communities and climate change, also the arts and social media, then this informal sharing event is for you.

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Climate Migration and DR Congo – where do we go?

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A thought provoking discussion exploring the topic of Climate Migration and DR Congo, illustrated with music performed online. An event exploring the ways in which colonialism, conflict, race and migration connect with climate change, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) and people arriving from there to the UK.

Thursday 12 November 2020, 6pm – 8pm (GMT)

Image of deforestation - Climate Migration and DR Congo

How does climate change affect DR Congo and the chain of migration, what is the colonial context for this and what does it mean for how both People Of Colour and Europeans understand Climate Change / Justice?

The first event involving Crossing Footprints since we have now just begun operation as a CIC, in collaboration with Amani Creatives and the Radical Lates programme of People’s History Museum (PHM). The event involves a brief performance by singer-songwriters Emmanuela Yogolelo and Samuella Ganda, and a key discussion with Kooj Chuhan from Crossing Footprints and Alex Randall from the Climate and Migration Coalition.

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Tyneside Cinema Climate Migration weekend screens Footprint Modulation film

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'Climate Refugees' feature documentary at Tyneside Cinema

‘Climate Refugees’ feature documentary

Tyneside cinema is to screen the ‘Footprint Modulation‘ documentary followed by a showing of the feature film ‘Climate Refugees’ on 17th March 2017, 8.15pm.  Full details at https://www.tynesidecinema.co.uk/whats-on/films/view/climate-refugees .

They are hosting a bold weekend of films on climate change, migration and the refugee crisis titled ‘Gimme Shelter’.  Here is the blurb from Tyneside Cinema’s own website:

“It is predicted that climate change will have a big impact on human migration in the next 50 years, with millions set to be displaced by shoreline erosion, coastal flooding, intensifying drought and further agricultural disruption.

Tyneside Cinema aims to inform and spark discussion through a curated programme focusing on the urgency of action on climate change as well as its very real connection to the current refugee crisis. The programme contextualises these issues and will cultivate a better understanding of the reasons behind human displacement and will see filmmakers joined by leading experts to discuss the connection between climate change, natural disasters and migration.

Gimme Shelter at Tyneside CinemaJoin us after the screening for a special panel discussion with;
– Filmmaker and artist Kooj Chuhan, whose recent films have focused on climate-linked migration
– Professor Tahseen Jafry, whose work in Glasgow focuses on climate and international development aid
– Durham University-based Professor Andrew Baldwin, one of the world’s leading academics on climate change and migration.”

More about the Gimme Shelter weekend festival at https://www.tynesidecinema.co.uk/whats-on/gimme-shelter  and at http://climatemigration.org.uk/climate-migration-film-festival/ . Continue reading →