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• What is the purpose of the Poetry Archive?

  To provide access to a collection of poetry and related resources.
• Who is Choman Hardi?

  A poet who discusses her Kurdish background and its influence on her work.
• How does Choman Hardi describe her identity as a poet?

  She identifies as both a British and a Kurdish poet, embracing her dual identities.
• What influences Choman Hardi's poetry?

  Her experiences of living between two cultures and her Kurdish heritage.
• What themes does Choman Hardi explore in her poetry?

  • The past and personal history
  • Living between two cultures
  • Exile and identity
  • Gender inequality
  • Kurdish history and culture
• How does Choman Hardi view the expectations placed on immigrant writers?

  She believes they should not be confined to writing about their refugee experiences alone.
• What does Choman Hardi say about the starting points of her poems?

  They can begin with an idea, a title, or an image.
• How does Choman Hardi describe the musicality of her poetry in different languages?

  She feels her Kurdish poems are more musical than her English poems.
• What does Choman Hardi suggest about writing in a foreign language?

  It can create a form of distancing that helps in writing about personal subjects.
• What is the significance of the poem "Life For Us" according to Choman Hardi?

  It represents a personal journey that reflects her family's and people's experiences.
• How does Choman Hardi relate her poetry to her experiences as an immigrant?

  She expresses that immigrants carry their culture and history with them in their writing.
• What personal experiences influenced Choman Hardi's writing about gender inequality?

  Her experiences growing up under the Islamic Republic of Iran and facing restrictions.
• What event does Choman Hardi mention that highlights gender inequality in her culture?

  The stoning of a Kurdish girl for eloping.
• How does Choman Hardi describe the impact of her childhood experiences on her poetry?

  They instilled a sense of injustice that she expresses through her writing.
• What does Choman Hardi believe about the evolution of a writer's subject matter and style?


  It should develop and change over time, reflecting personal growth and experiences.
• What does Choman Hardi say about the relationship between her poetry and her Kurdish identity?

  Much of her poetry reconstructs Kurdishness in English.
• How does Choman Hardi feel about the labels placed on writers?

  She believes labels are fluid and should not restrict a writer's identity.
• What does Choman Hardi suggest about the role of personal history in her poetry?

  It plays a significant role, especially in her English poetry.
• What does Choman Hardi mean by saying her poetry is a "journey of a family"?

  It reflects the experiences and struggles of her family and the Kurdish people.
• What does Choman Hardi say about the inspiration for her poem "Before You Leave"?

  It was inspired by the idea of physically moving one's culture and language.
• How does Choman Hardi describe the process of writing poetry?

  It can involve various starting points, including ideas, titles, or images.
• What does Choman Hardi suggest about the relationship between poetry and personal experiences?

  She believes poetry can serve as a means to process and express personal and cultural histories.
• What did the speaker have to fight for in their family regarding art classes?

  The speaker had to fight for the opportunity to attend art classes.
• How did the speaker feel about the gender inequality they experienced?

  The speaker was always aware of gender inequality and felt a sense of injustice.
• What tragic event involving a Kurdish girl does the speaker recall?

  A Kurdish girl was stoned to death for eloping with her boyfriend.
• What was the speaker's reaction to witnessing a young couple kissing in Sweden after recalling the stoning incident?

  The speaker felt a sense of sadness and reflection on the couple's fortune compared to the Kurdish girl.
• How does the speaker connect their art and poetry?

  The speaker sees poetry, fiction, and art as different channels of the same creative expression.
• What are the key influences on the speaker's decision to pursue philosophy over fine art?

  • Belief that art can be pursued without formal study
  • Desire to learn more about philosophy and psychology
  • Interest in exploring different creative avenues
• What did the speaker's father advise a young poet regarding writing?

  The speaker's father advised the young poet to memorize a hundred thousand verses before writing.
• Why does the speaker believe education is important for writing poetry?

  Education helps poets understand existing works and avoid clichés in their writing.
• At what age did the speaker start writing poetry?

  The speaker started writing poetry at the age of twenty.
• What inspired the speaker to start writing poetry?

  The speaker was inspired by love and the works of modern Persian poets.
• How does the speaker view their identity as a poet?

  The speaker embraces both their British and Kurdish identities as a fluid aspect of their writing.
• What themes does the speaker explore in their poetry related to their identity?

  • Living between two cultures
  • Experiences of exile
  • The evolution of their writing style and subject matter
• What does the speaker believe about the expectations placed on refugee writers?

  The speaker believes refugee writers should not be limited to writing about migration or being a refugee.
• How does the speaker describe the starting point of their poems?

  The starting point of their poems can be an idea, a title, or an image.
• What does the speaker say about the musicality of their Kurdish and English poems?

  The speaker feels their Kurdish poems are more musical than their English poems.
• Why does the speaker find writing in a foreign language to be a form of distancing?

  Writing in a foreign language allows the speaker to distance themselves from heavy emotional subjects.
• What does the speaker intend to convey through their poetry about Kurdish history?

  The speaker aims to process the past and share personal experiences related to Kurdish history.
• What are the main themes present in the speaker's English poetry?

  • Autobiographical elements
  • Exploration of Kurdish identity
  • Processing personal and cultural history