• Having a conversation about the artworks and important issues such as climate change is everywhere in the globe. It's important for us also in the Horn of Africa region to talk about it through art, not politics necessarily. I feel like it opens a little bit of a door, a little bit more than the politics.

Dawit Seto is an Ethiopian performing artist specializing in contemporary dance and choreography who is currently based in Switzerland and whose artistic work intricately weaves together the stories of migrant histories from East Africa and engages in vigorous advocacy for climate justice in all of his artistic pursuits. And you’ll hear him talk with passion about the role of art in his life and for his communities. 

Through his dedication to storytelling via movement, Dawit transcends physical borders, amalgamating diverse influences and social consciousness into his creations, rendering them both captivating and socially impactful. And I experienced this when I saw his videos. 

Immersing in the intricate exploration of movement language within Ethiopia's vibrant traditional dance heritage, Dawit infuses his artistic works with an authentic cultural richness that resonates with global audiences. 

It certainly resonated with me when I first heard Dawit at a creative climate leadership alumni meeting on February 18th, 2024 where he spoke about the impact of climate change in eastern Africa.

I spoke with Dawit on June 12th, 2024 by Zoom. Here’s an excerpt from our conversation that positions why he participates in meeting like the creative climate network: 

• I have witnessed the disaster of what climate change can do. I see it in my age and it was also in my grandfather's age. For me, whenever international seminars or meetings are happening to talk about a future, it just makes me scared. And because I saw it in my age. It was not for future for me, climate. Climate was about yesterday. It was about today. Because of that I want to be a part of any conversation as much as I can handle because of resources. We are working on mobilizing and having a conversation and witnessing the disaster that we face.

Our conversation helped me understand the impact of the climate crisis in the Horn of Africa and how artists, such as Dawit, are engaging with these issues through artistic creation and cultural leadership.

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END NOTES FOR ALL EPISODES

Hey conscient listeners, 

Thanks for your presence. Season 5 of this podcast is now completed. I'll be back with season 6 on art and culture in times of crisis and collapse (see trailer for details) sometime in 2025. 

Background on the conscient podcast 

I’ve been producing the conscient podcast as a learning and unlearning journey since May 2020 on un-ceded Anishinaabe Algonquin territory (Ottawa). It’s my way to give back and be present.

In parallel with the production of the conscient podcast and it's francophone counterpart, balado conscient, I publish a Substack newsletter called ‘a calm presence' which are 'short, practical essays about collapse acceptance, adaptation, response and art’. To subscribe (free of charge) see https://acalmpresence.substack.com. You'll also find a podcast version of each a calm presence posting on Substack or one your favorite podcast player.

Also, please note that a complete transcript of most conscient podcast and balado conscient episodes from season 1 to 5 is available on the web version of this site (not available on podcast apps) here: https://conscient-podcast.simplecast.com/episodes.

Your feedback is always welcome at claude@conscient.ca and/or on conscient podcast social media: Facebook, X, Instagram or Linkedin. 

I am grateful and accountable to the earth and the human labour that provided me with the privilege of producing this podcast, including the toxic materials and extractive processes behind the computers, recorders, transportation systems and infrastructure that made this production possible. 

Claude Schryer

Latest update on November 6, 2024