Storyteller Nadir Nahdi said common stories bring communities together

ISTANBUL (AA) – ÖZLEM LİMON – Founder of the storytelling platform BENI, presenter, filmmaker and producer Nadir Nahdi said that the basis of BENI is the idea of people being able to tell their own stories, and that establishing a common vision of the future is the most important element that brings communities together. Born in London and completing his master’s degree at the London School of Economics, Nahdi adopts a strategic and research-based storytelling approach shaped by his academic education and personal experiences.

Nahdi focuses on identity, belonging and cultural nuances in his narratives inspired by his Yemeni, Pakistani, Kenyan and Indonesian roots, and aims to connect with audiences in different geographies through narratives that bridge heritage and modern identity. – “People needed voices that they could take as an example.” Nadir Nahdi told the AA correspondent about the BENI platform, which focuses on narrative-oriented content and establishing cultural ties.

The basis of BENI is “If you don’t tell your own story, someone else will tell it for you.” Stating that his idea was included, Nahdi said that this is why he felt great passion for expressing experiences. Referring to the fact that he tries to tell the experiences that people with a diaspora background have difficulty expressing, Nahdi said: “It’s all about the story and creating a vision of the future that can bring people together.

I grew up in the West in a multicultural home, but I also had another heritage. I was both Western and Eastern at the same time, and I felt that this experience was not expressed or represented enough on social media. Many people of my generation grew up with difficulties such as exclusion, misrepresentation and marginalization in the mainstream media. People can look up to It needed voices, and I became one of the many people who gave a voice to that generation.

This is very inspiring to me.” Stating that there should be a vision for the future, Nahdi emphasized that people need stories that they can believe in and be inspired by, and that if the future is told only through pessimism and disaster, people cannot come together in a meaningful way. Expressing the importance of a common vision, Nahdi said, “My mother always told me this in the context of relationships: ‘What keeps a marriage alive is not love or money, it is a common vision.’ When you share a common vision with a partner, you can continue the long journey of life together.

I think all relationships are like this, whether it is society, friendship or community. People need to unite around a common story or common vision. The most difficult thing is to define that vision. As humanity, we need to find out why we come together and what we will struggle and sacrifice for.” he said. – “The thing that makes you too niche or difficult may actually be your superpower.” Storyteller Nahdi stated that she was tired of people and institutions representing themselves in ways they could not identify with, and said that this was what made the social media generation powerful.

Underlining that people pay attention to what the people they trust say when there are crises or important events in the world, Nahdi said: “Because they are not a brand face, they are people with a story, family and real life. This makes them strong. But this is also a double-edged sword.” Because when people with great influence do not take responsibility, it can create great disappointments. Having a strong influence brings great power, but also great responsibility.” Nadir Nahdi pointed out that there has been a lot of focus on the issue of representation for a long time and concluded his words as follows: “In recent years, we have seen that being represented only in one room is of no use if you do not take responsibility for the people you represent.

Will they change you when you enter the room, or will you change the room? Own this responsibility. Don’t be afraid of this. Never belittle yourself. What makes you too niche or difficult may actually be your superpower. So never hold back. Don’t be afraid to be bigger, bolder, and be yourself.”