Global Arts Central

Shubbak: A Window into Contemporary Arab Culture

admin — Sun, 17 Jul 2011 07:34:11 +0000

A Girl in her room by Rania Matar

Shubbak, London’s first ever celebration of Arab contemporary art, visual media, music and literature is the event we at GAC have been waiting for. At last we have a festival which has shunned the stereotypes and clichés of the Middle East and actually extols its diversity and richness of culture. Over the next two weeks around one hundred artists will showcase their works in over seventy events in more than thirty key cultural venues.There will be numerous opportunities to experience and savour both the established and the emerging arts scene from various regions ranging from Algeria to Turkey.

Shubbak (the Arabic word for ‘window’) features visual arts, film, music, theatre, dance, literature, architecture, lectures and discussion, many of them free.

Of particular interest to us is the “A Girl in her room” photo exhibition by the highly acclaimed Lebanese/American artist, Rania Matar. This event is taking place until 23rd July at the Mosaic Rooms one of London’s leading centres for Arab contemporary arts.

Munira Mirza, Advisor for Arts and Culture to the Mayor of London, said “We are absolutely delighted at the response we’ve received so much interest from cultural organisations all over London and across the Arab world. There is a real sense of excitement and collaboration amongst artists and I believe the festival will demonstrate the power of culture in bringing people together.”

We at GAC share these sentiments too, so don’t miss out on this wonderful event.

For more information on the events taking place please visit the Shubbak website

http://www.london.gov.uk/shubbak

words by India Blair

Acknowledgements

admin — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 11:56:48 +0000

I would like to thank my team of talented writers in no particular order, Salem Hanna, Serafima Serafimova and William Mathieson for all their support and hard work in realising this project.

I would like to thank This Week In Palestine for the use of their article “Palestine: The Land of Rich Flavours”

I would like to thank Chef Sufian for the use of his article ” The Essence of Palestinian Flavour” and Anas for translating the arabic greetings.

My family and friends have been a great support to me, including Neil D, Lola, Ani and Malcolm.

Lastly by no means least Mohammad Bakri and Suheir Hammad for their generosity and willingness to talk to GAC.

“On this earth is what makes life worth living” by Mahmoud Darwish -Shadia Mansour

admin — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 22:24:39 +0000

Audio and clips taken from Symphony Arabica and MusicInMe

Naomi Shihab Nye reading two poems at the Dodge Poetry Festival 9/26/08 “Letters My Prez Is Not Sending” and “Ted Kooser Is My President”

admin — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 22:23:41 +0000

Def Poetry Suheir Hammad – “What I Will”

admin — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 22:22:29 +0000

Flamenco Dabkeh Dance

admin — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 22:11:17 +0000

Hadilli Dance

admin — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 22:09:46 +0000

Sisim Dance

admin — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 22:08:05 +0000

Cocktail Dabkeh Dance

admin — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 22:06:46 +0000

The Olive Harvest directed by Hanna Elias

admin — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 21:52:44 +0000

Upon his release from an Israeli prison, older brother Mazen ( Mazen Saade ) develops romantic feelings for his childhood friend, Raeda ( Raeda Adun ). However, Raeda is already engaged to Mazen’s younger brother Taher ( Taher Najeeb ), their love kept a secret because of the tradition for the eldest brother to wed first.