BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION
PROGRAMME FOR A KING In celebration ot' the seventh birthday of King Faisal II the 8.8. C. broadcast a special programme in its Arabic Service. The young King was asked to choose the items he would like to hear. He sent a letter to a British Official in Iraq, which read: “Will they act ‘Advice from a Caterpillar’ from ‘Alice in Wonderland’? I would like some riddles to be said slowly so that I can take them down; and 1 would like some fierce music, please; and a surprise if there is time.” Postscript: “I have drawn you some pictures on the other side.” The picture, a spirited sketch of German aircraft attacking British tanks and a British fighter shooting them down, the 8.8. C. hopes to publish in its journal “The Arabic Listener.” King Faisal was able to hear himself broadcasting as the programme began with a brief address which he had recorded in Baghdad, the disc being flown to London for the purpose. The English translation of his message is: “This is my seventh birthday, and on this occasion I am very happy to talk on the wireless for the first time from Qasr al-Zuhur (Palace of Flowers) in Baghdad, the capital of Iraq, to my friends in the Arab countries. I send you my best wishes, and I hop- that many of you will be able to visit my country. 1 shall be pleased to see you. In conclusion I should like to wish all health and happiness to my countrymen and to all my friends wherever they may be. May God keep Iraq and the other Arab countries in his care. A 1 salam ‘alaikum (Peace be upon you.)” The reading from “Alice in Wonderland’’ in Arabic embodied a translation into Arabic verse of “You are Old Father William, the Young Man said,” by the great Cambridge Orientalist, E. H. Palmer, who died in 1382. The riddles also were duly included. At the end of the programme came the “surprise.” The 8.8. C. broadcast a clue—in Arabic rhymes —to lead the King to a certain hiding place. In a stork’s nest on the Palace chimney wav to be found a model Hurricane, bearing the name King Faisal II in Arabic. This had been specially made l'or him by Ii.A.F. mechanics in Iraq.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NEM19420812.2.41
Bibliographic details
Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 12 August 1942, Page 3
Word Count
388BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 12 August 1942, Page 3
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