Saturday 7 – Sunday 15 June 2014
Liverpool Arab Arts Festival
As culture becomes more globalised, Arab artists play an important role in how we understand and interpret the world. Their imagination and personal views inspire us to look afresh at what we think we know. Their approach can be playful, personal, meditative or provocative. The 2014 festival programme
celebrated this diversity. With events ranging from music programmes to story-telling theatre, thrillers to new play readings, bold graphic design to informative panel discussions, LAAF offered plenty to enjoy, learn from and participate in.
Events included The BIG Saturday at the Bluecoat, an eagerly anticipated event for all the family, An exciting day of music, food and more featuring DJ Funky Pharaoh with a mix of Arabic and house rhythms, Amira Kheir with an enchanting blend of jazz and soul and fresh from the Royal Albert Hall,
Maya Yousseff. The Al Awadhel Band also brought their sound to the day and Danah Abdulla gave two curator-led guided talks.
Award winning playwright Hassan Abdulrazzak presented an exclusive reading of scenes from his new play, A Fire Blazing Brightly.
Marking the publication of Syria Speaks: Art and Culture from the Frontline, a unique anthology of literature, art and culture, self publishing Syrian writers and artists presented readings, screenings and discussions from their anonymous artists’ collectives.
Farah Siraj performed at St George’s Hall and the Family Day returned to Sefton Park Palm House.