Burhan's Layers of Identity

By Ōtepoti He Puna Auaha | Dunedin UNESCO City Of Literature | Posted: Monday Oct 06, 2025

Ōtepoti Dunedin’s creative rangatahi explore their whakapapa through powerful stories of their identity, culture, and belonging through poetry and essays on ‘Layers of Identity’.

PODCAST Burhan Alsaad

"When my grandmother cried as we left Iraq (for Indonesia), I didn’t understand. She told me I would not come back again. She was right - I only returned after twelve years, and she was gone.”

Burhan, a foundation year student in health sciences, reflects on his essay My Life Through Three Cultures. Born and raised in Iraq , he spent a decade as a refugee in Bogor, Indonesia , before settling in Aotearoa . His writing explores how memories from each country shaped his identity and inspired his dream of becoming a doctor.

Layers of Identity Broadcasts Fridays 3.30pm on 105.4 FM, 1575 AM

and Layers of Identity - Otago Access Radio
Spotify | Layers of Identity | Podcast on Spotify

Apple Podcasts | Layers of Identity - Podcast - Apple Podcasts

Proudly supported by Dunedin City Council Arts Grant, Dunedin Public Libraries, Dunedin UNESCO City of Literature, Athenaeum Library & Mechanics Institute - Dunedin, CAMA - Community Access Media Alliance and NZ On Air.