Bonus 002: Open Sesame

حلقة اليوم هي حلقة هدية من أصدقائنا في بودكاست “كيرنج كلتشرز” واللي كان ضيف معاهم فيها عمار الصبان. وأتكلموا في هذه الحلقة عن برنامج افتح ياسمسم وتأثيره التعليمي على الشرق الأوسط. الحلقة باللغة الإنجليزية لأن البودكاست موجه للجمهور في بقية العالم والهدف منه  تعريفهم بالثقافات العربية عن طريق سرد قصص من المجتمع العربي باللغة الإنجليزية. وممكن تتابعوا برنامجهم على الرابط التالي: https://soundcloud.com/kerning-cultures In 1979, Iftah Ya Simsim – the Arabic version of Sesame Street – aired for the first time. Over the next ten years, the show was loved by children across the Arab world, until 1990, when the show was pulled off the air as a result of the Gulf War. But Ammar Al Sabban, a young boy growing up watching the show in Jeddah, never forgot the impact his favourite characters had on him. In this episode, a little boy’s dream to become his favourite Muppet, and the making of a show that revolutionised children’s television. Produced by Hebah Fisher and Alex Atack, with help from Alexandra Chaves, and with editorial support from Dana Ballout. Sound design by Mohamed Khreizat. Thank you to everybody who sent us their memories of Iftah Ya Simsim: Bader Alfarsy, Ltein Alfarsy, Lilian Yasser, Sallah Al Yasser, Rym Ghazal, Hayat Abdel-Saheb, and Lina Bharnawi. Thank you also to Cole del Charco for helping us record Michael’s book, which chronicles the story of Sesame Street, is called Street Gang.