Hussain Manawer at the CoP: a personal honouring of the winners
A popular poet and Leica lover: at this year’s Celebration of Photography, British poet and author Hussain Manawer did the honours, and put on a surprising and very personal performance.
He has long been considered one of the world’s most successful young poets. His image-rich texts have found their counterpart in his work with Leica cameras. In addition to writing intense poems, Hussain Manawer’s performances fascinate his audiences, time and again. During his participation at the CoP, he not only brought along his Leica Q2, but also surprised the audience – and especially the two LOBA winners – with a very special performance: Manawer presented gripping texts, based on the winning series by Ismail Ferdous and Ziyi Le, which he created exclusively for the evening LOBA award ceremony. The audience listened enthusiastically to his powerful words.
The text to the series by Ismail Ferdous, LOBA winner 2023
For a Moment We Are Free
By Hussain Manawer
COASTGUARD
THERE IS NO NEED TO OVERLOOK
TO GET TO THESE SHORES ONE HAS DONE TOO MUCH ALREADY OF
SWIMMING DEEP
MY SISTERS, BROTHERS AND I
TAKE FLIGHT AS ONE
AS THE WATERS RUSH THROUGH THE MILEAGE IN OUR FABRIC, OUR KAMEEZ
IT JUST HAPPENS TO BE
THAT FIRST INITIALLY IT TOUCHES OUR FEET
NO LONGER DO I NEED TO BURY MY HEAD
MY OPEN ARMS
SYMBOLISE MY HEART OUTSTRETCHED
I REACH FOR A CRYSTAL
OR DOES IT REACH FOR ME?
THIS MAGNET PROPELS
THE LOVING UNITY IN OUR SISTERHOOD SYMMETRY
TANGLED WEBS
LAY AHEAD
REMINDERS OF HOME
IN EVERY STEP
BEAUTY WHEN THE EYES ARE COVERED
FOR ALL THE CLARITY OF THE SKIES
IN EVERY MOTION WHICH WE PROTECT
LET'S JUST LAY HERE FOR A SEC
OUR YOUTH STILL PRESENT
IN EVERY BREATH
UNTANGLE THE NETS
MAKE SPACE
MAKE WAY
FOR THIS CHILD IS BLESSED
AS THEY STAND BEFORE US
THEY MIRROR REFLECT
THE LOVE WE PROJECT
ALL OF US THAT BECOME MIDNIGHT ROCKSTARS
OR A MORNING MESS
RUNNING WITH IMAGINATION
OFF WE GO INTO THE SUNSET
YOUNG CHILD, IT’S OK TO LAY DOWN
WE HAVE A LONG ROAD AHEAD OF US
FOR NOW
PLEASE MY BABY,
TAKE A REST
The text to the series by Ziyi Le, LOBA Newcomer award winner 2023
One Million Thoughts
By Hussain Manawer
I STRAP ON MY HELMET
IT’S TO PROTECT MY SOUL
FROM THIS DEEP DIVE OF RE FLECTION
CONNECTED, THEY ARE
CONNECTED, THEY SAY
BUT THIS IS THE FURTHEST WE HAVE EVER BEEN FROM ANY FORM OF CONNECTION
WE’RE SAFE OVER HERE
I KNOW THERE’S CURRENTS RUNNING THROUGH THESE WALLS
THERE’S MANY THINGS THAT MAY MAKE US FALL
BUT IN MY ARMS
NEITHER OF US WILL BE HURT BY THEIR WEAPONS
LEAVE ME ALONE
I DON’T EXPECT YOU TO UNDERSTAND
YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHY
IT’S PIVOTAL FOR ME
IT’S ESSENTIAL FOR ME
IT’S VITAL FOR ME
TO KEEP MY INNER CHILD ALIVE
I’M GOOD
I DON’T NEED YOUR SUGGESTIONS
MANY TIMES
YOU MAY NOT SEE
BUT I’VE TRIED
MANY TIMES
I’VE CAUGHT MY WINGS ON THOUGHTS
THAT I’VE OVERTHOUGHT
AND IN FLIGHT OF THE SKY
WHEN MY FEELINGS COLLIDE
BUT LET ME GUESS
IT’S OK, ISN’T IT
BECAUSE VS THE WORLD
IT’S YOU AND I
YOU CAN’T CATCH IT
STOP IT
BARELY YOU CAN WATCH IT
TIME
TIME GOES ON BY
THAT’S WHY IT’S SPECIAL FOR US TO TRY
TO EMBRACE OUR A FFECTION
NOT TO BE SAD OR SWAYED BY SOCIETAL REJECTION
TO RISE
MY KEYS ENABLE MY OBJECTION
LIGHT
LIGHT MEETS AT THE INTERSECTION
AS IT SHINES A PATH
ON OUR NEW DIRECTION
FROM MOTHER NATURE WE START
TO MOTHER NATURE WE GO
TO MOTHER NATURE WE RUN
TO FEEL HER PROTECTION
Welcome To Wetzlar
Inspired by the success of his CoP performance, Manawar’s next poem emerged during the trip home to England. Titled “Welcome to Wetzlar”, it speaks of the many experiences and encounters he had during the CoP. Listen, see and share his experiences for yourself.
Hussain Manawer
Manawer’s texts are defined by their immediacy and direct approach. Born in Newham, the author draws his inspiration primarily from personal experiences, many of which are touched by loss and sadness. He is therefore an important emotional ambassador, whose programmes are committed to mental health and emotional well-being. The publication of his debut collection, “Life is Sad and Beautiful”, marked him as the first British-Pakistani author to spend two consecutive weeks on the Sunday Times charts. His works and words have been read by millions; he collaborates with numerous celebrities, including the British Royal Family; and, in 2021, he became the first poet to open the BAFTA Awards. Manawer’s debut publication is now part of the national curriculum in British schools, and sold 10,000 copies in the first months alone.