Kids’ Own Publishing and MACHID (Music and Culture of Hazara Identity – Dandenong) Inc. launch a picture book created by children and families of Hazara background in Dandenong, alongside artist and book designer Farzana Rahimi and storyteller John Gulzari.
Taking the embroidery of the Hazara people of Afghanistan as their inspiration – diamond shapes, almond flowers and lions’ tails – to name just a few, artwork and words in both Hazaragi and English were created by the children in a series of workshops.
The book was co-created as part of Kids’ Own Languages, a movement that acknowledges children as the experts of their own multilingualism, and recognises that all their languages, and the way that they use them, are an integral part of Australia’s diverse, strong and vibrant cultural landscape. This project in Dandenong was made possible through an Australia Council for the Arts project grant. There will be an exhibition of the original artwork from the book as well as embroidery, handicrafts and Hazara cultural items.
This event will be conducted in Hazaragi and English.
Dandenong Library has accessible parking bays on Thomas Street.
Farzana Rahimi Lead Artist
Farzana Rahimi is a graphic designer and artist who came on board with Kids’ Own Publishing in 2022 to bring her unique combination of art, design and Hazaragi language to the Kids’ Own Languages children’s community publishing program. Farzana is Lead Artist and book designer on this project.
John Gulzari Language Support
John Gulzari comes from the central region of Afghanistan, a region called Hazarajat – the land of Hazaras. He fled Afghanistan in 1999 and became an Australian citizen in 2007. Since settling in Australia he has established the group MACHID (Music Arts Culture of Hazara Identity – Dandenong). The group promotes cultural music in Hazara language, and also exhibits cultural items. He is dedicated to sharing his knowledge of the Hazaragi language and has partnered with Kids’ Own Publishing on several Hazaragi language projects for children.
Annasophia Larsen Artist Coordinator
Annasophia Larsen has been a Lead Artist on Kids’ Own Publishing programs and publications for the past 8 years, including bilingual and multilingual books with Karen, Hakha Chin and Afghan families. She has taught children about all sorts of fun things at the Melbourne Museum and was a guest artist at the City of Melbourne’s ArtPlay in 2022. She is currently Artistic Coordinator of the Kids’ Own Languages program and is a mentor and guide for the Kids’ Own artist team.
Hazaragi Language Book by Children Past Event
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Kids’ Own Publishing and MACHID (Music and Culture of Hazara Identity – Dandenong) Inc. launch a picture book created by children and families of Hazara background in Dandenong, alongside artist and book designer Farzana Rahimi and storyteller John Gulzari.
Taking the embroidery of the Hazara people of Afghanistan as their inspiration – diamond shapes, almond flowers and lions’ tails – to name just a few, artwork and words in both Hazaragi and English were created by the children in a series of workshops.
The book was co-created as part of Kids’ Own Languages, a movement that acknowledges children as the experts of their own multilingualism, and recognises that all their languages, and the way that they use them, are an integral part of Australia’s diverse, strong and vibrant cultural landscape. This project in Dandenong was made possible through an Australia Council for the Arts project grant. There will be an exhibition of the original artwork from the book as well as embroidery, handicrafts and Hazara cultural items.
This event will be conducted in Hazaragi and English.
Dandenong Library has accessible parking bays on Thomas Street.
Farzana Rahimi Lead Artist
Farzana Rahimi is a graphic designer and artist who came on board with Kids’ Own Publishing in 2022 to bring her unique combination of art, design and Hazaragi language to the Kids’ Own Languages children’s community publishing program. Farzana is Lead Artist and book designer on this project.
John Gulzari Language Support
John Gulzari comes from the central region of Afghanistan, a region called Hazarajat – the land of Hazaras. He fled Afghanistan in 1999 and became an Australian citizen in 2007. Since settling in Australia he has established the group MACHID (Music Arts Culture of Hazara Identity – Dandenong). The group promotes cultural music in Hazara language, and also exhibits cultural items. He is dedicated to sharing his knowledge of the Hazaragi language and has partnered with Kids’ Own Publishing on several Hazaragi language projects for children.
Annasophia Larsen Artist Coordinator
Annasophia Larsen has been a Lead Artist on Kids’ Own Publishing programs and publications for the past 8 years, including bilingual and multilingual books with Karen, Hakha Chin and Afghan families. She has taught children about all sorts of fun things at the Melbourne Museum and was a guest artist at the City of Melbourne’s ArtPlay in 2022. She is currently Artistic Coordinator of the Kids’ Own Languages program and is a mentor and guide for the Kids’ Own artist team.