Aizen – Part 1: I Hate Wednesdays
Kerning Cultures
Kerning Cultures Network
4.9 • 529 Ratings
🗓️ 19 January 2023
⏱️ 35 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
‘Aizen’ says he’s the most unlucky person in the world. This football-obsessed teenager from Afghanistan grew up in the chaos of Kabul, and at 15, was imprisoned in one of the worst adult prisons in the world. All for a crime he didn’t commit. In this four part series, we’re following Aizen’s journey as he leaves his childhood in Afghanistan behind for what he hopes will be a better life in Europe.
This episode was produced by Al Shaibani and edited by Alex Atack and Dana Ballout, with editorial support from Heba El-Sherif. Fact checking was by Eman Elsherif and Deena Sabry, and sound design was by Monzer El Hachem and Paul Alouf. Artwork by Ahmad Salhab. Our team also includes Zeina Dowidar, Nadeen Shaker and Finbar Anderson.
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | And one story that always kind of captures my imagination. |
| 0:07.8 | The street's lost culture. And you're listening to Kearning cultures. |
| 0:19.5 | Before we start, there's strong language and mentions of sexual assault in this episode. |
| 0:24.3 | If you're around kids or would rather not hear that, consider skipping this one. |
| 0:32.3 | The music of love, The Football Champions League semi-final in 2015 was a huge game. |
| 0:52.3 | Barcelona versus Bayern Munich. Millions of fans were tuning in from around the world. |
| 0:58.7 | In the stadium, the pitch was dry, the night was clear, and the seats were full. |
| 1:07.1 | It was an evening game, 7.45 p.m. kickoff in Barcelona. And both teams were giving it their all. |
| 1:14.4 | There were plenty of fouls and yellow cards during the first half, but 45 minutes in, still zero-zero. |
| 1:21.7 | Barcelona fans were depending on their team's leader, Lionel Messi, to get the team to the semifinals. |
| 1:28.0 | One person hoping for Messi to make a move was a teenager sitting in Kabul, Afghanistan. |
| 1:33.3 | It was midnight his time, and he was watching in secret on his family TV in the kitchen. |
| 1:38.4 | I used to say Leonardo. |
| 1:40.9 | I couldn't say Leonardo. |
| 1:42.2 | He called him Leonardo |
| 1:45.3 | Yeah I do know his real name and my parents never allowed me to watch football they hate |
| 1:50.0 | football any sport not just football any sport I mean they all far asleep I just go and take the TV |
| 1:54.9 | Take it man and then when they find out in the morning they they just start shouting. Why he did this again? |
| 2:01.6 | I don't know, I just did. |
| 2:04.6 | I know it's weird, but when I watch football, like, I feel kind of itchiness in my legs. |
| 2:10.6 | Like, cause I just want to go and join and play. |
| 2:13.6 | And it's just a feelings, you know, like you just enjoy. |
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