Erivan’s Story
Since childhood, a recurring dream has haunted me: a rainy day, a woman sheltering two twin girls under an umbrella amidst the rising waters, the relentless wave of water flooding the scene. As I grew up, this memory aroused unease, its complexity deepening with each resurgence, blurring the lines between reality and imagination. One fateful night, my girlfriend's anguish woke me up, beside her two surreal figures in our bedroom, their imposing presence and authoritarian demeanor inducing panic and confusion. Dressed in uniforms, they interrogated me about my identity and the date, each question seeming a cruel reminder of my own disorientation. As they carried me away on a stretcher to an unknown destination, the uncertainty was overshadowed by the chilling realization that perhaps I was falling into madness, destined for a fate from which there would be no return. Rushed to hospital, surrounded by electrodes, I had a déjà and that same dream came back to me. The diagnosis of epilepsy provided an explanation for my inexplicable dreams and also a harsh condition that I couldn't deny.
After being discharged from hospital, I struggled to understand the seriousness of my condition, initially resisting medication in the hope of returning to normalcy. However, that "normality" didn't come. In the midst of sleepless nights filled with frantic thoughts, I put my energy into artistic expression, creating five compositions that formed an entire album called "Collectif Rouge". Each track serves as a record of the flow of ideas that period brought me. From the somber introspection of "Saudade" to the triumphant melody of "Deja vu", "Collectif Rouge" embodied the full spectrum of emotions that accompanied my first encounters with epilepsy. Despite the turmoil, music became my solace, serving as a reminder of beauty in the midst of chaos. However, the seizures persisted, I adopted medication and found tranquillity in composing music. Now, each melody represents a new chapter of resilience and growth, a blueprint for a new album.
The courage of those living with epilepsy,
inspires us and fuels our journey.
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