Liverpool Arab Arts Festival: Celebrating Arab Culture in the UK
The Liverpool Arab Arts Festival, the UK’s longest-running celebration of Arab arts and culture, is currently in full swing until July 21. The festival offers a vibrant mix of art, theater, music, literature, and workshops, showcasing the rich and diverse heritage of the Arab world.
A Cornerstone of Liverpool’s Cultural Calendar
Founded in 1998, the Liverpool Arab Arts Festival has become a cornerstone of Liverpool’s cultural calendar, attracting artists and audiences from across the UK and beyond.
A Dynamic Lineup of Artists
This year’s program features a diverse lineup of artists from Egypt, Morocco, Lebanon, Tunisia, Syria, Yemen, and Somalia, offering a dynamic interplay between traditional and contemporary Arab art forms.
Laura Brown, the creative producer of the festival, highlighted the importance of the themes explored by the artists, such as migration, identity, and conflict, which resonate with Arab communities.
A Tribute to Palestine
One of the highlights of the festival is a special tribute to Palestine, with events like a screening of “At Home in Gaza and London” and a wordless play titled “Oranges and Stones,” depicting 75 years of occupation and settlement in Palestine.
Marina Barham, the general director of Al-Harah Theater in Bethlehem, will also speak about the therapeutic role of theater in addressing community trauma.
Diverse and Multicultural Communities in Liverpool
As a port city, Liverpool has fostered diverse and multicultural communities, with Arabic being reported as the city’s second most-spoken language.
Laura Brown emphasized the importance of community involvement in the festival, ensuring that everyone feels represented and connected to the cultural celebration.
A Proud National Portfolio Organization
As an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organization, the Liverpool Arab Arts Festival is part of the 2023-26 investment program, securing its place in the arts landscape for years to come.
Laura Brown expressed the team’s pride in being an NPO and the opportunities it provides for building relationships with venues and creatives to develop innovative programs and projects.