nour 1 October–30 November 2013 festival of arts

Contemporary art, film, literature, music and performance from the Middle East and North Africa nour The very best in contemporary Foreword Middle Eastern and North African arts and culture. Nour is a crucial meeting point for East and West.

Welcome to Nour.

Now in its fourth year, the Nour Festival is a celebration of the very best in contemporary Middle Eastern and North African arts and culture. Nour, which means light or illumination in many Middle Eastern languages, springs to life each October and November in venues across the Royal Borough of and Chelsea. The festival’s highly acclaimed programme of art, film, literature, music and performance has established Nour as a crucial meeting point for East and West. With long-term leadership provided by the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, Nour is the ever-exuberant expression of a growing family of partner organisations. Immerse yourself in Nour, and enter a whole new world of creative connections.

This year’s programme offers an amazing array of attractions, boasting six art exhibitions, sixteen film screenings, fifteen thought-provoking talks and debates, fourteen performances across dance and drama, music and poetry, four evenings of special events, three cookery classes, eight workshops, a Souk and a Tour Bus. Explore the Nour Festival programme, find your own highlights, and take an unforgettable journey into the region, its cultures and art forms.

Councillor Timothy Coleridge • Cabinet Member for Planning Policy, Transport and Arts, The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Taking Care of the Roses: Amani AlSaad 1 October–30 November Chelsea Theatre

Amani AlSaad is a 22 year old Saudi Artist and Designer, based in west . www.amanism.com

Exhibitions

1 Oct–30 Nov • Taking Care of the Roses: Amani AlSaad

3–31 Oct • Sultans Are No Sultans: Mourad Salem

4 Oct–29 Nov • Equinox: Lawand The Mosaic Rooms A very personal project began when Chelsea Theatre 5–31 Oct • Hurriyah: Soraya Syed 226 Cromwell Road, SW5 0SW the artist viewed her own MRI scans. 7 World’s End Place, Kings Road, mosaicrooms.org Amani AlSaad remained optimistic SW10 0DR 10–24 Oct • Half of Heaven 020 7370 9990 about her neurological problem, 020 7352 1967 15 Nov–23 Feb 2014 • Ferozkoh: Tradition and [email protected] in Afghan Art which was disturbing her studies. www.chelseatheatre.org.uk Earl’s Court She started planting roses in her Earl’s Court head, welcoming butterflies, adding quotes from the Quran, and being Information true to those things she believes are Tue-Sat 11.00-18.00 Information predestined. These three illustrations, Special Sunday Opening Mon–Fri 9.30–17.30 through MRI printed scans displayed 11 November 12.00-17.00 Sat 10.00–17.00 Free on light boxes, are a reflection on Sun 11.00–16.00 optimism and how things can appear Free better when looked at or treated in a certain way.

Exhibitions | 5 Sultans Are No Sultans: Equinox: Lawand Mourad Salem 4 October–29 November The Mosaic Rooms 3–31 October Born in Aleppo, Syria in 1984, Lawand Leighton House Museum has exhibited widely throughout Europe, as well as in Syria and Egypt. This is the London debut of Salem, a He also creates art books with Tunisian artist based in Paris. He has renowned poets including Adonis, selected eight recent paintings to be Bernard Noël, Antoine Emaz and exhibited in the Drawing Room of Jean-Claude Schneider. He lives and Leighton House. www.roseissa.com works predominantly in Lille, France.

Painting by Lawand

With Tunisian, Turkish and Ottoman The Drawing Room A solo exhibition by Lawand - his The Mosaic Rooms roots, Salem questions Arab world Leighton House Museum first in the UK – featuring paintings 226 Cromwell Road, SW5 0SW leaders of yester-year, which he 12 Road, W14 8LZ and drawings made recently during 020 7370 9990 affectionately portrays as figures 020 7471 9160 a prolonged stay in Beirut. Lawand www.mosaicrooms.org of fun. His Sultans and Sultanas on www.rbkc.gov.uk/museums is a Syrian Kurdish artist who has Earl’s Court canvas are surrounded with fake High Street Kensington lived in France since he was 10 years fur, floral accessories or elaborate old. Concerns with exile, and the frames, emphasising their immaturity relationship with mobility and plurality Information as figures of power. History shows Information of cultures have become central to his Tue–Sat 11.00–18.00 Free that these were mostly leaders who Daily 10.00–17.30 • Except Tuesdays practice. Lawand’s work is dominated Free with entry price to Leighton did not lead but rather abused power by elongated effigies, indistinct House or used religion as a tool for power. from the formless backgrounds they Tickets • £5 | £3 (concessions) Salem’s work hints that old times may [email protected] float in. They appear motionless be returning. and displaced, without place, often solitary or with a child. The artist Exhibition produced by Rose Issa describes his work as optimistic and Projects, London life-affirming, with poetry playing an integral part. Beware of the Orchids by Mourad Salem

6 | Exhibitions Exhibitions | 7 Hurriyah: Soraya Syed Half of Heaven 5–31 October 10–24 October Leighton House Museum Kensington & Chelsea College

Soraya Syed is a London-based A group exhibition of contemporary calligraphic artist, who received art produced by five female Iranian the prestigious icazetname from artists based in Sweden, France, USA Istanbul in 2005. In her practice, and Iran. she celebrates the constant tension Artists • Negar Tahsili, Jila Naimian, between remaining true to her Sanam Aarabi, Sudabe Ardawan, classical training while exploring Mandana Moghadam and Jinoos. further possibilities. She recently co-founded an app and web project called Nuqta. www.artofthepen.com

Hurriyah is an animation installation Leighton House Museum In order to make important Chelsea Centre by Soraya Syed. Exploring the visual 12 Holland Park Road, W14 8LZ contemporary contributions to the rich Kensington & Chelsea College and literal power of words and the 020 7471 9160 artistic heritage that continues from Hortensia Road, SW10 0QS emotive term freedom, Hurriyah www.rbkc.gov.uk/museums Persian antiquity to the present day, 020 7573 3600 is written in an emblematic form, High Street Kensington these challenging artists have found www.kcc.ac.uk personified, standing tall as if a boat varying strategies to circumvent Broadway set out to sea with the wind in her censorship and critique Iran’s sails, unraveling backwards until she Information theocratic dictatorship. Curated by ends as she began – a dot. Daily 10.00–17.30 • Except Tuesdays William Wareing and Hamid Nawim, Information Free with entry price to Leighton Animation by Adam Smith and Soraya Half of Heaven will open at the Edsvik Mon–Thu 12.00–20.00 House Syed, Production by Yeast Culture, Konsthall Museum, Stockholm in Fri 12.00–17.00 Tickets • £5 | £3 (concessions) Free Music by Nitin Sawhney, Video Design www.rbkc.gov.uk/museums Spring 2014. by Nick Hillel. A selection of Soraya’s tools and Panel discussion • Friday 11 October, 15.00–17.00 | With William Wareing (Curator), Sanam Arabi (artist), Matthew Kolakowski (Performance Manager for Fine Art and Photography, KCC), chaired artwork will also be on display. by Roya Arab (Institute of Archaeology, UCL) Free, Booking Required • www.nourfestival.eventbrite.co.uk • 020 7361 3618 • [email protected] Artist Talk • Sunday 20 October, 16.00–17.00 | Accompanying Soraya’s talk, dancer Salah El Brogy will respond to Hurriyah with a specially commissioned solo (see page 61). Free, Booking Required • www.nourfestival.eventbrite.co.uk • 020 7361 3618 • [email protected] Autopsy of an Iranian by Negar Tahsili

8 | Exhibitions Exhibitions | 9 Ferozkoh: Tradition and Continuity in Afghan Art 15 November–23 February 2014 Leighton House Museum

Leighton House Museum Information 12 Holland Park Road, W14 8LZ Daily 10.00–17.30 • Except Tuesdays 020 7471 9160 Free with entry price to Leighton www.rbkc.gov.uk/museums House Tickets • £5 | £3 (concessions) High Street Kensington www.rbkc.gov.uk/museums

Leighton House Museum is the venue for the stunning exhibition Ferozkoh: Tradition and Continuity in Afghan Art, presented by the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA), Doha, as part of Nour and Qatar UK 2013 Year of Culture. Ferozkoh is the result of a collaboration between the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) in Doha, Qatar with students and teachers from Turquoise Mountain Institute for Afghan Arts and Architecture in Kabul, Afghanistan. The unifying ambition of the exhibition is the preservation and continuity of the traditional arts of the Islamic world – in both themes and materials – in the present day, and the role of education in both transmission and translation. Ferozkoh comprises 18 pairs of objects. Half are historical objects from MIA’s collection; the products of four great dynasties with connections to Afghanistan: the Ghaznavids, Timurids, Mughals and Safavids. The other half of the works were created specifically for the exhibition by Turquoise Mountain students in response to, and in conversation with, the historical objects.

Organisers Strategic Partners Qatar UK 2013 Platinum Sponsors

The exhibition will be accompanied by a programme of workshops and activities. Visit www.nourfestival.co.uk for details.

10 | Exhibitions Kurdish Film Season 9 October, 20 & 27 November The Mosaic Rooms

Part of The Mosaic Rooms’ regular and ongoing film screening programme, the London Kurdish Film Festival (LKFF) showcases films by Kurdish and non-Kurdish directors, which highlight the issues and experiences facing not only Kurds, but any minority or migrant community. www.lkff.co.uk Film

9 Oct, 20 and 27 Nov • Kurdish Film Season

17 Oct • Short Film Evening The Mosaic Rooms The Mosaic Rooms is pleased to The Mosaic Rooms 18 Oct • It’s About To Rain – Feature226 Film Cromwell Evening Road, SW5 0SW present a season of films showcasing 226 Cromwell Road, SW5 0SW mosaicrooms.org 020 7370 9990 th contemporary Kurdish cinema. 4–10 Nov • 4 London Iranian Film 020Festival 7370 9990 www.mosaicrooms.org [email protected] 9 October • The acclaimed Yo l by Earl’s Court Earl’s Court the Kurdish director Yilmaz Güney is a portrait of Turkey in the aftermath of the 1980 Turkish coup d’état, with Information Information its people and authorities shown via 19.30 Tue-Sat 11.00-18.00 the stories of five prisoners given a Tickets • £5 • Booking Required Special Sunday Opening week’s home leave. 020 7370 9990 11 November 12.00-17.00 [email protected] Free 20 and 27 November • Two All screenings will have English subtitles. screenings selected from this year’s LKFF submissions.

Still from Yol

Film | 13 Short Film Evening Thursday 17 October Leighton House Museum

Leighton House Museum 12 Holland Park Road, W14 8LZ 020 7471 9160 www.rbkc.gov.uk/museums High Street Kensington

Information 19.00–21.00 Tickets • £7 | £5 (concessions) Still from Al Muqanaa Booking Required www.nourfestival.eventbrite.co.uk Check Point Boy Al Rajeem 020 7361 3618 • [email protected] Palestine/UK (2013) • 3 minutes • Jordan (2012) • 10 minutes • Director: Shireen Abu Hamda Director: Mohammed Jassim Still from Rain A portrait of young Palestinian boys An eery story about a curse that remained who spend their childhood selling bric- dormant for generations until inadvertently a-brac at military check-points in order reawakened by a little girl. 11 short films will be screened with a total running time of 109 minutes. Curated by Yasmin El Derby. to supplement their family’s income. Confronted by daily repression they dream Studio Beirut of a better future. Lebanon (2013) • 14 minutes • Director: Mokhtar Beyrouth Honayn’s Shoe Poet of the Sea Al Muqanaa (The Masked) 1963, Beirut – Toufik, a young Egypt (2009) • 3 minutes • Libya/UK (2012) • 4 minutes • Qatar (2012) • 6 minutes • photographer and studio owner has his Director: Mohamed Ghazala Director: Farag Akwedir Director: Tarek Abu Esber livelihood threatened with the installation A fantasy animation about a nomad who A Benghazi fisherman has spent a lifetime The story of Ahmed Al-Jaber, an eccentric of the town’s first photo-booth. has lost his shoe and goes on an adventure fishing at sea but once in a while the Doha resident who entertains the public with his camel to find it again. verses he catches are bigger than his fish. with his collection of intricately decorated Feeding 500 The distance away from the coast gives UAE (2012) • 18 minutes • Farewell Exile cars. him time and clarity to reflect on what is Director: Rafed Alharthi Morocco/Switzerland/France (2011) • happening in Libya. A Person’s Life A look at one man’s passion, 15 minutes • Director: Lamia Alami Bahrain (2012) • 10 minutes • determination and struggle to feed 500 In her underprivileged Moroccan town, Growing Director: Mohammed Jassim stray cats everyday since 1995. Fatima waits anxiously to join her husband Jordan (2013) • 5 minutes • A look at the life of a migrant worker in in France. Will her husband’s letter secure Director: Tariq Rimawi Bahrain. Rain a brighter future for her and her son or will A child plays with a toy weapon and grows Qatar (2012) • 14 minutes • she have to make a crucial sacrifice? up along with it. Director: Rahab El Ewaly An animated regional folk-tale about desperation and hope.

14 | Film Film | 15 It’s About 4th London Iranian To Rain (UK Film Festival Premiere) 2–10 November Ciné Lumière Friday 18 October The London Iranian Film Festival Leighton House Museum is the only annual festival to focus exclusively on the presentation of UK Premiere of It’s About To Rain Iranian cinema in the UK. • • (2013) Rated 15 Italy/Iraq/Kuwait/ www.ukiff.org.uk UAE • 91 minutes • Director: Haider Rashid. A discussion will take place post-screening.

Italian-born second-generation Leighton House Museum The London Iranian Film Festival aims Ciné Lumière Algerian brothers fight authorities to 12 Holland Park Road, W14 8LZ to present the best and most diverse 17 Queensberry Place, SW7 2DT allow them to stay in the country they 020 7471 9160 Iranian film programme in the country, 020 7871 3515 were born in. The brothers and their www.rbkc.gov.uk/museums and to encourage as many people as www.institut-francais.org.uk father are pushed to ‘go home’ to High Street Kensington possible to view Iranian cinema. This Algeria – a country the brothers have is a showcase of both established never even visited. The struggle takes filmmakers and emerging filmmaking the elder brother Said on a journey Information talent, celebrating the best in Information through all levels of Italian society 19.00–21.00 Iranian feature film, documentary, 19.00–21.00 Tickets • £7 | £5 (concessions) and forces him to question his own animation and short film making. It Tickets • £12 | £10 (concessions) Booking Required Booking Required identity and sense of belonging. offers compelling viewing for anyone www.nourfestival.eventbrite.co.uk www.ukiff.org.uk/tickets 020 7361 3618 • [email protected] with an interest in alternative world cinema.

16 | Film Film | 17 Dardasha: A Cultural Evening Thursday 10 October Leighton House Museum

Dardasha began life as an oral history project which documented the migratory experiences of first generation Moroccan women who came to the UK between 1960-1990 and settled in the Portobello area of London. Dardasha at Nour brings the story up to the present day, to include the British-born and raised daughters and grand-daughters of Special Events these pioneering women. www.al-hasaniya.org.uk

10 Oct • Dardasha – A Cultural Evening

22 Oct and 23 Oct • Salon Oman Nour

9 Nov • Nour Tour Bus The Mosaic Rooms This evening showcases a new Leighton House Museum 226 Cromwell Road, SW5 0SW photographic exhibition, the screening 12 Holland Park Road, W14 8LZ 14 Nov • Al Souk @ Nour Festival mosaicrooms.org of the documentary filmDardasha 020 7471 9160 020 7370 9990 www.rbkc.gov.uk/museums 29 Nov • Iranian Nights: A Celebration of Iranian Culture (chi’t-chat) – a 30 minute film in which [email protected] four women recount their experiences High Street Kensington Earl’s Court of migration – and the accompanying book of edited bilingual testimonies. Live music will be provided by Information Information 18.30–21.00 Moroccan Oud player Soufian Saihi Tue-Sat 11.00-18.00 Free • Booking Required and light refreshments will be served. Special Sunday Opening www.nourfestival.eventbrite.co.uk Souad Talsi MBE, Founder of the Al 11 November 12.00-17.00 020 7361 3618 • [email protected] Free Hasaniya Moroccan Women’s Centre, and Rachid Agassim, Consul General for Morocco in the UK, will host a discussion with the audience on issues raised by the film.

Special Events | 19 Salon Oman Nour Nour Tour Bus Tuesday 22 & Wednesday 23 October Saturday 9 November Leighton House Museum Various locations

Salon Oman at Leighton House Museum is a series of paintings, stitched works, weavings and photographs made and inspired by the artist Dillwyn Smith’s residency in Oman. www.dillwynsmith.com

9 NOV

Walk and Talk through the rooms of Leighton House Museum Get on board the special Routemaster Various Locations Leighton House with Dillwyn Smith 12 Holland Park Road, W14 8LZ bus for a unique tour of the Royal Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A)| and Aisha Mazin Stoby, who will be 020 7471 9160 Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. The Ismaili Centre | Leighton House reflecting on Omani contemporary www.rbkc.gov.uk/museums The tour visits venues that have made Museum | Al-Saqi Bookshop | The Mosaic Rooms. creative culture inspired by the High Street Kensington a mission of showing the diversity of intervention of artworks in the house. Arab art. Each visit is private and led South Kensington This is an opportunity to hear, taste by one of the managers of the venue, and smell the uniqueness of Oman Information providing an insider view into these and, through juxtaposing these works 18.30–21.00 jewels of architecture, art and culture. Information Free • Booking Required 10.00–17.00 with the collection of Frederic, Lord A DJ is on board the bus, spinning www.nourfestival.eventbrite.co.uk Tour begins at the V&A Leighton, an echo of journeys made the best in Middle Eastern music. 020 7361 3618 • [email protected] Tickets • £25 (5 private visits and a to Arabia continues. Invited speakers Alongside venue visits, the tour stops complimentary drink and mezze platter include Radhika Khimji, Malik Al at Al Saqi, the leading Arab literature at midday, lunch not included). Hinai and Joachim Deuster. bookshop in London. Booking Required www.nourfestival.eventbrite.co.uk Omani Legends Flags • At Chelsea Theatre, in situ throughout Nour Festival, a project led by 020 7361 3618 • [email protected] Dillwyn Smith with 42 Omani artists and 60 children exploring Omani Legends and personal stories.

Illustration by Danah Abdulla

20 | Special Events Special Events | 21 Al Souk @ Nour Festival Iranian Nights: 14 November–1 December A Celebration of Iranian Culture London West Bank & The Tabernacle Friday 29 November Al Souk @ Nour Festival is on for two weeks. The opening night is Thursday Leighton House Museum 14 November at London West Bank in Ziba Tabrizi is a specialist in Persian, Westbourne Grove. Afghan and Azeri dance and is www.thesouk-nourfestival.tumblr.com committed to increasing public awareness of these lesser-known forms of dance. www.persiandance.co.uk Light of Music is a London-based ensemble and academy that promotes Iranian and Western arts through music, art, language classes, seminars and workshops. www. lightofmusic.com Yasmine Taherbeig is a visual artist; this is her first exhibition since graduating.

Nour is proud to host a pop-up Arab London West Bank Enjoy a night of Persian Culture at Leighton House Museum Art and Design Boutique, featuring 133-137 Westbourne Grove, w11 2rs Leighton House Museum, with a 12 Holland Park Road, W14 8LZ upcoming artists, designers and 020 7221 2847 dance performance, poetic musical 020 7471 9160 crafters from the Middle East and www.londonwestbank.com recital, contemporary art and a mini www.rbkc.gov.uk/museums North Africa, many shown for the bazaar. The Tabernacle (Gallery) High Street Kensington first time in the UK. A showroom 35 Powis Square, W11 2AY halfway between an art exhibition 18.30–19.00 • Classical Iranian music 020 7221 9700 in the Arab Hall Information and an open air market common to www.tabernaclew11.com the region, Al Souk @ Nour Festival 19.00–19.30 • Persian dance 18.30–22.00 Gate Tickets • £10 | £5 (concessions) showcases design, fashion, jewellery, performance Westbourne Grove 19.30–20.00 • Classical Iranian music Booking Required visual art, photography, music, in the Arab Hall www.nourfestival.eventbrite.co.uk literature, illustrated books, furniture 020 7361 3618 • [email protected] and stationery. Find out more on 20.15–21.30 • Light of Music brings our website and on Facebook: Information alive ancient Iranian poems TheSoukatNourFestival for exclusive 10.00–19.00 information and offers. London West Bank • 14–21 Nov The Tabernacle • 25 Nov–1 Dec Free Photograph by Emad Sadr

22 | Special Events Special Events | 23 An Evening with Lamees Ibrahim: Dishes from The Iraqi Cookbook Thursday 17 October Books for Cooks

Dr. Lamees Ibrahim was born in Baghdad and now lives in London. The Iraqi Cookbook is her first collection of recipes. www.theiraqicookbook.com

Food

17 Oct • An Evening with Lamees Ibrahim: Dishes from the Iraqi Cookbook

7 Nov • An Evening with Sami Tamini: Dishes from Jerusalem The Iraqi Cookbook is full of authentic Books for Cooks 19 and 20 Nov • Evenings with Mariam al-Abdalla and Aisha Al-Tamimi: recipes handed down through the 4 Blenheim Crescent, W11 1NN generations, developed and enriched www.booksforcooks.com Dishes from Qatar over time, and infused with cultures Notting Hill Gate of different eras. The book is a rich Ladbroke Grove fusion of history, health, culture and storytelling. Throughout, Lamees Information singles out only those ingredients 18.30–21.00 available to a Western reader, and Ticketed • For more information, visit suggests plausible alternatives where www.arabbritishcentre.org.uk necessary. Celebrating the launch of 020 7832 1310 the paperback version of The Iraqi [email protected] Cookbook, Lamees Ibrahim presents a feast of delicacies to coincide with Eid Al-Adha. This event is hosted by Lamees Ibrahim in collaboration with The Arab British Centre and Books for Cooks.

Food | 25 An Evening With Sami Tamimi: Evenings with Mariam al-Abdalla Dishes from Jerusalem and Aisha Al-Tamimi: Thursday 7 November Dishes from Qatar Books for Cooks

Sami Tamimi was born in Palestine Tuesday 19 & Wednesday 20 November and now lives in London. Sami holds Books for Cooks the helm in the heat of the Ottolenghi kitchens since opening day. Sisters Mariam al-Abdalla and www.ottolenghi.co.uk Aisha al-Tamimi are prominent culinary figures in Qatar, where Mariam is one of the first women TV chefs. Both have published bestsellers across the Gulf. Anissa Helou is a London-based cookbook author, teacher and chef specialising in the cuisines of the Mediterranean, Middle East and North Africa.

Sami Tamimi and Yotam Ottolenghi Books for Cooks Mariam al-Abdalla, Aisha al-Tamimi Books for Cooks opened the original Ottolenghi in 4 Blenheim Crescent, W11 1NN and the team from the Food Forum 4 Blenheim Crescent, W11 1NN Notting Hill in 2002. Since then, Sami www.booksforcooks.com in the National Museum of Qatar join www.booksforcooks.com has been at their helm. This unique Notting Hill Gate Anissa Helou for two nights exploring Notting Hill Gate event showcases a selection of the Ladbroke Grove the culinary traditions and influences Ladbroke Grove finest dishes from Jerusalem, cooked of Qatari cuisine, from dishes such as by Ottolenghi’s renowned Head Chef. Information Marguga, a delightful Qatari ‘pasta’ Information With an inimitable cooking style, 18.30–21.00 dish with vegetables and Mashkhul, 18.30–21.00 Sami Tamimi creates vibrant and bold Ticketed • For more information, a spicy rice dish layered with Booking Required dishes that are simple and true to the visit www.arabbritishcentre.org.uk vegetables and chicken. For ticket enquiries, please essence of Mediterranean cuisine. 020 7832 1310 visit www.nourfestival.co.uk [email protected] This event is hosted by Sami Tamimi in collaboration with The Arab British Centre and Books for Cooks.

26 | Food Food | 27 From Sindbad to Sci-Fi: Reimagining Arab Science Fiction Wednesday 2 October The Science Museum

Talks Science fiction has continually evolved, reflecting the impact of science, technology and socio- 2 Oct • From Sindbad to Sci-Fi: Re-imagining Arab Science Fiction political change on ourselves and our globalised societies. For hundreds 15 Oct • A Concise History of the Arabs – John McHugo of years, epic writers such as Ibn al-Nafis have explored new ideas by 19 Oct • Art and Poetry – Lawand and Pascale Petit In Conversation posing ‘big questions’ such as What’s out there? Are we alone? Who are 21 Oct • The Effect of the Arab Spring on Egypt’s Culture – Tarek Osman we? www.sindbadscifi.com

24 Oct • Kurdish Prospects in Turbulent Times

24 Oct • Short Stories from the Arab World

31 Oct • The Wall – Selma Dabbagh and William SutcliffeThe Mosaic In Conversation Rooms A Sci-Fi salon to to explore the Dana Centre 226 Cromwell Road, SW5 0SW transition of science fiction narratives Science Museum 6 Nov • Does the Arab Spring need a Summer of Love? mosaicrooms.org between East and West, unravelling 165 Queen’s Gate, SW7 5HD 12 Nov • Banipal 48 – Writing Marrakech Book Launch020 7370 9990 its uncharted journey from the past to 020 7942 4040 [email protected] present to discover what might lay www.danacentre.org.uk 16 Nov • Style Cities: Beirut Earl’s Court ahead. What are the trends in South Kensington 20 Nov • The Difficult Situation of Antiquities in Egypt – Sandro Vannini contemporary science fiction from the Arab world compared with works Information 21 Nov • The Lady from Tel Aviv – Raba’i al-Madhoun emerging from Middle-Eastern Information Tue-Sat 11.00-18.00 diasporas living in the West, and how 19.00–21.00 28 Nov • Shadow Lives – Victoria Brittain and HaifaSpecial Zangana Sunday In Conversation Opening Free • Booking Required does it interconnect with mainstream 11 November 12.00-17.00 020 7942 4040 Sci-Fi? This event is produced by Free [email protected] Yasmin Khan and chaired by BBC Radio 4’s Quentin Cooper, with a panel of luminary speakers discussing why a revival of Arab Science Fiction is more important than ever. Star Wars depicted as an Ottoman miniature by Murat Palta

Talks | 29 A Concise History of the Arabs – Art and Poetry – Lawand and John McHugo Pascale Petit In Conversation Tuesday 15 October Saturday 19 October Kensington Central Library The Mosaic Rooms

John McHugo is an international Pascale Petit runs special poetry lawyer and Arabist, with over forty workshops in museums and years’ experience of the region. He galleries, using art to reflect on has worked as a lawyer in many Arab how to give shape to poems and countries, notably Egypt, Bahrain and make images with words. She has Oman. www.johnmchugo.com published five poetry collections and been shortlisted for the TS Eliot Prize. Lawand has exhibited widely throughout Europe, as well as in Syria and Egypt. He also creates art books, with several renowned poets including Adonis, Bernard Noël, Antoine Emaz and Jean-Claude Schneider.

John McHugo talks about his recently Lecture Theatre Reflecting on the links between art The Mosaic Rooms published work A Concise History Kensington Central Library and poetry, Lawand – as the Mosaic 226 Cromwell Road, SW5 0SW of the Arabs, which deals with the Phillimore Walk, W8 7RX Rooms’ exhibiting artist for Nour – is 020 7370 9990 political, social and intellectual history 020 7361 3010 in conversation with the French/Welsh www.mosaicrooms.org of the Arabs, from the Roman Empire www.rbkc.gov.uk/libraries poet Pascale Petit. Lawand’s paintings Earl’s Court to the present day. His talk covers High Street Kensington and drawings are often inspired by the mission of Prophet Muhammad, poems and he directly collaborates the expansion of Islam, medieval with leading poets by creating art Information 12.00–13.30 and modern conflicts, the interaction Information books. Lawand and Pascale have Free • Booking Required with Western ideas, the struggle to 18.30–20.00 worked on a special collaborative 020 7370 9990 Tickets • £5 | £3 (concessions) publication produced especially for escape foreign domination, the rise [email protected] of Islamism and end of the era of Booking Required the exhibition to be launched at the On sale at all Kensington and Chelsea dictators. A Q&A session will follow. talk. libraries, cash or cheques only. Payments by credit or debit card via This talk is part of the London History Equinox: Lawand • 4 October–29 November | Libraries line 020 7361 3010 Lawand’s first UK solo show is also showing at Festival. The Mosaic Rooms (see page 7).

What the Water Gave Me-Poems After Frida Kahlo book cover (2010)

30 | Talks Talks | 31 The Effect of the Arab Spring on Kurdish Prospects in Egypt’s Culture Turbulent Times – Tarek Osman Thursday 24 October The Mosaic Rooms Monday 21 October David McDowall is the author the Leighton House Museum acclaimed A Modern History of the Kurds. Charles Tripp is a Professor of Tarek Osman is the author of the Politics with reference to the Middle internationally acclaimed Egypt East at SOAS, University of London, on the Brink, which Foreign Policy and an expert on Iraq. Patrick selected in the top ten most Cockburn has been a Middle East important international relations correspondent since 1979 for the books for 2011 and The Guardian Financial Times and the Independent. selected as best non-fiction read on Professor Gareth Stansfield is the Egypt. Director of the Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies at the University of Exeter, and an expert on the Kurdish regions.

Anthony Sattin, the British journalist, Leighton House Museum The Mosaic Rooms presents a panel The Mosaic Rooms broadcaster and author, is in 12 Holland Park Road, W14 8LZ discussion on the issues facing the 226 Cromwell Road, SW5 0SW discussion with Tarek Osman on 020 7471 9160 Kurds and the question of Kurdish 020 7370 9990 the future of the Arab world, the www.rbkc.gov.uk/museums nationalism. The discussions will be www.mosaicrooms.org intersections between politics, High Street Kensington in the light of the current political Earl’s Court economics and demographics, situations in Iraq, Syria and Turkey and the emerging new regional where the Kurds form large minority geopolitical order. Information groups. The panel comprises regional Information 19.00–20.30 experts, including Gareth Stansfield, 19.00–20.30 Tickets • £5 | £3 (concessions) Free • Booking Required Charles Tripp, Patrick Cockburn Booking Required 020 7370 9990 and the talk will be chaired by David www.nourfestival.eventbrite.co.uk [email protected] 020 7361 3618 • [email protected] McDowall. There will be a Q&A session at the end.

32 | Talks Talks | 33 Short Stories from The Wall – Selma Dabbagh and the Arab World William Sutcliffe In Conversation Thursday 24 October Thursday 31 October Kensington Central Library The Mosaic Rooms

Banipal Books was established in William Sutcliffe is the author 2004 to strengthen and expand of: the international bestseller Are the work of Banipal Magazine, the You Experienced?. His other works magazine of Modern Arab Literature, include The Love Hexagon; New Boy; by publishing in book form works by Bad Influence and, most recently, contemporary Arab authors. Whatever Makes You Happy. He lives www.banipal.co.uk in Edinburgh. Selma Dabbagh is a British Palestinian writer of fiction based in London. Her first novel, Out of It, set between Gaza, London and the Gulf was chosen as a Guardian Book of the Year in 2011 and 2012.

Banipal Book Club hosts three Meeting Room The Mosaic Rooms hosts a talk with The Mosaic Rooms 20-minute story-telling circles, each Kensington Central Library William Sutcliffe, the author of the 226 Cromwell Road, SW5 0SW with a different story from a different Phillimore Walk, W8 7RX recent critically acclaimed novel, The 020 7370 9990 Arab country, published in recent 020 7361 3010 Wall. A political fable that powerfully www.mosaicrooms.org Banipal issues and books. These www.rbkc.gov.uk/libraries evokes the realities of life on the West Earl’s Court interactive performances begin with High Street Kensington Bank, it tells the story of a settler different members of the Banipal child who finds there are two sides Book Club leading each circle and to every story. The novel is about Information introducing each story with a short Information the devastating effect of occupation 19.00–20.30 Free • Booking Required reading, complemented by a variety 18.30–20.00 and segregation on ordinary lives. 020 7370 9990 of Moroccan refreshments available Free • Booking Required Selma Dabbagh will join the author [email protected] throughout the evening. www.nourfestival.eventbrite.co.uk in conversation, followed by a Q&A 020 7361 3618 • [email protected] Stories • Mordechai’s Moustache and session. his Wife’s Cats by Mahmoud Shukair, No knowledge of Arabic is needed, all texts Black Kohl...White Heart by Mona al- are in English, with all three publications Shammari, Ali the Red by Luay Hamza available on the night for free Abbas.

The Wall book cover

34 | Talks Talks | 35 Does the Arab Spring need a Banipal 48 – Writing Marrakech Summer of Love? Book Launch Wednesday 6 November Tuesday 12 November The Mosaic Rooms Kensington Central Library

Shereen El Feki, author of Sex Banipal Books was established in and the Citadel: Intimate Life in 2004 to strengthen and expand a Changing Arab World. Brian the work of Banipal Magazine, the Whitaker, author of Unspeakable magazine of Modern Arab Literature, Love: Gay and Lesbian Life in the by publishing in book form works by Middle East. Daniel L. Newman, contemporary Arab authors. Professor of Arabic at Durham www.banipal.co.uk University, translator of works of Mediaeval Arabic Erotica. Malu Halasa is the co-author of The Secret Life of Syrian Lingerie: Intimacy and Design.

Syrian Lingerie still life by Gilbert Hage

An evening of discussion on taboos The Mosaic Rooms The launch of Banipal 48 invites the The Lecture Theatre and changing sexual mores in the 226 Cromwell Road, SW5 0SW audience to enjoy and revel in writings Kensington Central Library Arab World with Shereen El Feki, 020 7370 9990 and recipes from inside Marrakech, Phillimore Walk, W8 7RX Brian Whitaker, Daniel L. Newman www.mosaicrooms.org Morocco’s Red City at the foot of the 020 7361 3010 and Malu Halasa. Sex is entwined in Earl’s Court Atlas mountains. In Banipal 48, this www.rbkc.gov.uk/libraries politics and economics, religion and holiday destination for thousands High Street Kensington tradition, gender and generations, of tourists takes on another life making it a powerful lens to examine Information through the writings of Marrakechi the Arab region’s complex landscape. 19.00–20.30 author and painter Mahi Binebine, Information Free • Booking Required As political change sweeps the poets and writers Yassin Adnan, Saad 18.30–20.00 020 7370 9990 streets and squares, parliaments and Sarhan, Abu-Youssef Taha, Rajae Free • Booking Required [email protected] presidential palaces is a sexual shake- Benchemsi, Mohamed Nedali, Karima www.nourfestival.eventbrite.co.uk up next in line? Join the panelists Nadir, the renowned Spanish author 020 7361 3618 • [email protected] to explore the rich history of Arabic Juan Goytisolo, and many others. erotica, today’s troubled sexual They open up Marrakech’s secrets, climate, and what the future holds at and request your attendance at this this pivotal time of transition. singular literary celebration of the Red City. Saad Sarhan and Yassin Adnan

36 | Talks Talks | 37 Style Cities: The difficult situation of Beirut Antiquities in Egypt – Sandro Saturday 16 November Vannini Victoria & Albert Museum Wednesday 20 November Speakers include • Professor George Arbid (American University of Beirut), Leighton House Museum Viviane Ghanem and Asma Freiha (Writers) and Carole Corm (Journalist) A professional photographer, Sandro Vannini lives between Viterbo, Italy and Cairo, Egypt where he continues to document the archaeological heritage of Egypt. www.sandrovannini.com

Once known as the ‘Paris of the Victoria & Albert Museum The Egyptian Heritage has long been Leighton House Museum Middle East’, Beirut in the 1950s Seminar Room 1 (Sackler Centre) in danger, despite the efforts of the 12 Holland Park Road, W14 8LZ and 1960s was a playground for Cromwell Road, South Kensington, Supreme Council of Antiquities to 020 7471 9160 the rich and famous. A rising SW7 2RL improve the conditions of the huge www.rbkc.gov.uk/museums generation of local and international 0207 942 2000 corpus of monuments spread over the High Street Kensington architects and designers capitalised www.vam.ac.uk country’s vast desert areas. Coupled on the new social, political and South Kensington with the period of instability following economic dynamics which turned the Arab Spring, monuments, Information the city into an avant-garde capital. archaeological sites, museums and 19.00–20.30 Tickets • £5 | £3 (concessions) Discover Beirut during its Golden Information antiquities storages have become 14.00–17.00 Booking Required Age, the cultural, commercial and targets and present a major problem Tickets • £25 | £20 (concessions) | www.nourfestival.eventbrite.co.uk entertainment centre of the Middle- to be solved: What does the future £10 (students) • Booking Required 020 7361 3618 • [email protected] East. www.vam.ac.uk/courses hold for Egyptian Antiquities, and 0207 942 2211 how do we protect and celebrate the The Wind Portal • 14 September–3 November| country’s cultural heritage? Sandro An installation by Lebanese designer Najla El Vannini considers these and other Zein, is on view at the Victoria & Albert Museum similar issues. There will be a Q&A (Gallery 64B) ‘Wonder Beirut #13, Modern Beirut, International Centre of Water-skiing’ by Joana session at the end. Hadjithomas and Khalil Joreige

38 | Talks Talks | 39 The Lady from Tel Aviv – Shadow Lives – Victoria Raba’i al-Madhoun Brittain and Haifa Zangana Thursday 21 November In Conversation The Mosaic Rooms Thursday 28 November Raba’i al-Madhoun was born in Palestine in 1945, and grew up The Mosaic Rooms in the Gaza Strip. The author of several literary works, including The Victoria Brittain is a journalist and Palestinian Intifada and The Taste of former editor at The Guardian, who Separation. has authored and co-authored two www.almadhoun-novel.com plays and four books, including Enemy Combatant with Moazzam Begg. Haifa Zangana’s works include City of Widows, Dreaming of Baghdad and The Torturer in the Mirror. She is also a regular contributor to al-Quds.

A discussion on bilingual readings The Mosaic Rooms Shadow Lives: The Forgotten Women The Mosaic Rooms with Raba’i al-Madhoun, author of 226 Cromwell Road, SW5 0SW of the War on Terror explores the 226 Cromwell Road, SW5 0SW The Lady from Tel Aviv and Elliot 020 7370 9990 at-times shocking but often moving 020 7370 9990 Colla, its translator into English, www.mosaicrooms.org stories of the impact of the ‘9/11 www.mosaicrooms.org chaired by journalist Rosie Goldsmith. Earl’s Court Wars’ on the wives and families of Earl’s Court The Lady of Tel Aviv is a bestselling men incarcerated in Guantanamo, in novel in the Arab world, both a prison or under house arrest in Britain meditation on the nature of fiction, an Information and the US. A discussion with Victoria Information incisive exploration of the effects of 19.00–20.30 Brittain, author of Shadow Lives, 19.00–20.30 Free • Booking Required Free • Booking Required occupation on a people, and what it is and Iraqi novelist, artist and political 020 7370 9990 020 7370 9990 to be Palestinian. Shortlisted for the activist Haifa Zangana. [email protected] [email protected] International Prize for Arabic Fiction 2010 and recipient of an English PEN Writers in Translation award, this new translation brings it to English-reading audiences for the first time.

40 | Talks Talks | 41 Royal Albert Hall and Nour Festival Present Natacha Atlas Saturday 12 October Royal Albert Hall

Born in Brussels of Anglo-Egyptian parentage, Atlas’s multi-cultural background and experiences have helped shape her trademark sound, which seamlessly bridges musical and cultural divides. www.natacha-atlas.com Music

12 Oct • Natacha Atlas

18 Oct • Oxford Maqam Ensemble

19 Oct • Borderless Beats featuring 47 SOUL and guests

25 Oct • Maya Youssef Natacha Atlas exploded onto the Elgar Rooms music scene in the 1990s, gaining Royal Albert Hall 26 Oct • Iran: An Overview of Classical and Popular Music Developments recognition for her pioneering meld of Kensington Gore, SW7 2AP 29 Oct • Sajaya: Oud concert by Georges Kazazian Western and Eastern musics, and use www.royalalberthall.com of cutting-edge electronic beats with South Kensington 16 Nov • Jah Wobble in concert with El Maâlem Mahmoud Arabic melodies. She has worked with an eclectic group of artists including Peter Gabriel, David Arnold, and Nitin Information Sawhney. She has just co-composed 20.30–22.00 the music for French choreographer Tickets • £16.50 Booking Required Angelin Preljocaj’s latest ballet Les www.royalalberthall.com/tickets Nuits with long-term collaborator 0845 401 5045 Samy Bishai. She is performing in the Royal Albert Hall’s Elgar Rooms with her 7-piece band.

Music | 43 NatachaOxford Maqam Atlas One Taste Presents Borderless Beats featuring 47 Ensemble SOUL and guests Friday 18 October The Tabernacle Saturday 19 October Flyover Portobello Oxford Maqam is a Middle Eastern musical ensemble like no other. 47 SOUL span the divides from Comprising the traditional takht Amman to Ramallah to the Galilee. combination of instruments, they This brand new act have amassed perform in a contemporary style fans in the Middle East and the UK but with an ear for the more bringing the energy of a Palestinian cosmopolitan and improvisatory wedding to underground music practices from the turn of the 20th scenes.www.onetaste.co.uk century – a period of great cultural vitality and innovation. www.oxfordmaqam.com

This concert is a rare treat for those Main Auditorium 47 SOUL is a newly formed Flyover Portobello who enjoy authentic performances The Tabernacle Palestinian and Jordanian band that 3-5 Thorpe Close, Portobello, of early twentieth-century Arab song 35 Powis Square, W11 2AY played their first UK gig in London W10 5XL and improvisation. Maqam presents a 020 7221 9700 as part of the Shubbak Festival this 0795 640 6913 collection of songs, muwashahat and www.tabernaclew11.com summer. 47 SOUL was formed in www.theflyover.co.uk instrumental pieces by some of the Westbourne Park 2012 when four inspiring young Ladbroke Grove most celebrated musicians of the last Ladbroke Grove Palestinian solo artists joined forces century, including Zakariyya Ahmad, from different regions: El Far3i (MC, Mohammed Abdel Wahab, Oum darbouka), Z The People (keys, vocals), Information Information 20.00–02.00 Kolthoum, Fairouz and the Rahbani 20.30–22.15 Walaa Sbeit (MC, daf) and El Jihaz Tickets • £10 (advance) brothers. Tickets • £10 | £8 (concessions) (guitar, vocals). It is rare to see a band £12 (on the door) Booking Required gain such a passionate following so www.theflyover.co.uk www.tabernaclew11.com rapidly, a testament to their music 020 7221 9700 making and the message behind the music. Laying down Arabic Reggae, Hip Hop, and Mijwez solos overtop of Debka, Rai, and Afrobeat grooves, this is real revolution party music. Sketch by Weimin He Photograph by Fabrice Bourgelle

44 | Music Music | 45 Maya Iran: An Overview of Classical and Youssef Popular Musical Developments Friday 25 October Saturday 26 October Royal Albert Hall The Mosaic Rooms

Syrian kanun player Maya Youssef’s Jane Lewisohn is a research musical appreciation started as associate at SOAS, University of a child, studying at Sulhi Alwadi London, Music Department and Music Institute in Damascus. She Research Fellow at the University of is a recipient of the best Musician Exeter, UK. Dr Malihe Maghazei is Award in Syria’s Youth National a research fellow at the LSE Middle Music Competition, and performs East Centre, working on the New all over the world. In 2012, Maya Trend of Intellectuals in Iran. Laudan was recognised as an Exceptional Nooshin is Senior Lecturer in Talent by Arts Council England Ethnomusicology at City University www.mayakanunplayer.com London.

Maya’s performance is part of the Café Consort A panel of specialists discuss The Mosaic Rooms Royal Albert Hall’s Ignite lunchtime Royal Albert Hall elements of musical development in 226 Cromwell Road, SW5 0SW music series, taking place in the Kensington Gore, SW7 2AP Iran over the past century. The panel www.mosaicrooms.org relaxed atmosphere of the Hall’s Café 0845 401 5045 is chaired by Roya Arab, archaeologist, 020 7370 9990 Consort, where you can turn up and www.royalalberthall.com musician and Honorary Research Earl’s Court enjoy fantastic music for free whilst South Kensington Assistant, Institute of Archaeology, enjoying great food and drink. UCL. Information Information Panels: Persian Music from the 11.00–13.00 12.00–13.30 Earliest Days to the Mid-20th Century Free • Booking Required Free • No Booking Required (Jane Lewisohn) • Looking at the www.insideoutfestival.org.uk Socio- Cultural Situation of Iran through Music: An Overview (Malihe Maghazei) • Beyond the Radif: New Forms of Improvisational Practice in Iranian Music (Laudan Nooshin).

This is part of Inside Out Festival 2013

46 | Music Music | 47 Sajaya: Oud concert by Jah Wobble in Georges Kazazian concert with Tuesday 29 October El Maâlem Leighton House Museum Mahmoud The Egyptian composer and musician Georges Kazazian has recorded 12 albums, performed at some of the Saturday 16 November most prestigious festivals around the The Tabernacle world, and composed soundtracks for several films. www.oud-sajaya.com Mahmoud Guinia is a Moroccan Gnawa musician, singer and guembri player, who is traditionally regarded as a Maâlem, i.e. master. Jah Wobble is an English bass guitarist, singer, poet and composer. www.30herzrecords.com

With his own distinctive style yet Leighton House Museum Experience an authentic Lila (night of Main Auditorium steeped in Egypt’s musical traditions, 12 Holland Park Road, W14 8LZ trance) with one of Morocco’s finest The Tabernacle Georges Kazazian has journeyed 020 7471 9160 performers El Maâlem Mahmoud 35 Powis Square, W11 2AY through several traditions of the www.rbkc.gov.uk/museums on his first-ever visit to the UK. A 020 7221 9700 world. Travelling through musical High Street Kensington performance with a master who can www.tabernaclew11.com expression seems to be an inner goal turn up the music to a breakneck Westbourne Park and a way to create diversity and speed, while the metal castagnettes Ladbroke Grove richness of colours and tonalities. Information of his musicians have the intensity 19.00-20.30 Kazazian will perform pieces from his of monsoon rain on a tin roof. This Tickets • £7 | £5 (concessions) Information album Sabil. ancient form of music shares its roots Booking Required 19.00-21.00 www.nourfestival.eventbrite.co.uk with the Blues and resonates with a Tickets • £16.50 020 7221 9700 • [email protected] longing for the tropical forests of Sub- Booking Required Saharan Africa. And, as the musical www.tabernaclew11.com journey continues, bass guitarist, 020 7221 9700 singer, poet and composer Jah Wobble will join the set with fellow UK-based musicians to create a fusion of dub and Gnawa music.

48 | Music Music | 49 Calligraphy and Tazhib Master Class Saturday 12 October Kensington & Chelsea College

Sam Hematian is an ostad (master) of calligraphy, tazhib and Persian art, and currently teaches at Light of Music and Ferdowsi language school. Workshops

12 Oct • Calligraphy and Tazhib Master Class

14 Oct • Poetry from Art: Writing the Body

19 Oct • Classical Iranian Instrument Workshop with Light of Music

26 Oct • Geometry in Persian Art Master Class

26 Oct • History, Stories and Song WritingThe Workshop Mosaic Rooms Sam Hematian will teach workshop Kensington & Chelsea College 226 Cromwell Road, SW5 0SW participants to write in the ancient Hortensia Road, SW10 0QS 29 Oct • Traditional Persian Dance for Children mosaicrooms.org Persian script and create a beautiful 020 7573 3600 29 Oct • Introduction to the Art of Arabic020 Calligraphy 7370 9990 setting for their name with the use www.kcc.ac.uk [email protected] of tazhib – an ancient Iranian art Fulham Broadway 31 Oct • Persian Art for Children Earl’s Court form of creating intricate patterns to

2 Nov • Traditional Persian Dance for Adults encase the written word. Fine pens and special paper will be provided for Information Information students. 10.00–12.00 Tue-Sat 11.00-18.00 Free • Booking Required Special Sunday Opening www.kcc.ac.uk 11 November 12.00-17.00 Free

Workshops | 51 Poetry From Art: Classical Iranian Writing the Body Instrument Workshop Monday 14 October with Light of Music The Mosaic Rooms Saturday 19 October Pascale Petit has published five poetry collections, three have been Chelsea Theatre shortlisted for the TS Eliot Prize. She has been Poetry Editor of Poetry Light of Music is a London-based London and was a founding tutor ensemble and academy that of The Poetry School. She was a promotes Iranian and Western arts Royal Literary Fund Fellow at the through concerts, art, music and Courtauld Institute of Art and tutor language classes, workshops and on the Master of Studies in creative seminars. They specialise in classical writing at Oxford University. She runs Persian music, poetry and calligraphy. courses at Modern, the Arvon www.lightofmusic.com Foundation, and Ty Newydd.

This one-day workshop will encourage The Mosaic Rooms Light of Music presents an exhibition Chelsea Theatre participants to use art to create 226 Cromwell Road, SW5 0SW of instruments such as Kamanche, 7 World’s End Place, Kings Road, poetry. The workshop will be based 020 7370 9990 Santour, Daf andTar, demonstrating SW10 0DR in the main exhibition room, where www.mosaicrooms.org how they can be played. Music skills 020 7352 1967 www.chelseatheatre.org.uk participants will have the gallery Earl’s Court are not necessary for participants and space to themselves. Using the practice instruments will be provided Earl’s Court current exhibition of paintings and (please bring your own if you have Sloane Square drawings by the Syrian Kurdish artist Information one). 11.00–17.00 Lawand for inspiration, participants Information Tickets • £20 • Booking Required Instruments will be taught by: will be given exercises and methods 14.30–16.30 www.wegottickets.com/location/10511 • to develop poetic responses to Tar by Rashid Hojjati Santour by Free • Booking Required [email protected] contemporary art. This is a unique Hamidreza Rasti • Kamanche by Adib www.chelseatheatre.org.uk opportunity, led by award winning Rostam • Daf by Ardeshir Haghighi. poet Pascale Petit. Refreshments will be provided.

Photograph by Kaido Vainomaa Photograph by Emad Sadr

52 | Workshops Workshops | 53 Geometry in Persian History, Stories and Art Master Class Song-Writing Workshop Saturday 26 October Saturday 26 October Kensington & Chelsea College Chelsea Theatre

Amber Khokhar is a practising artist Roya Arab is a UK-based Iranian who works with traditional motifs archaeologist and musician (Honorary and techniques. From her London Research Assistant, Institute of studio she creates highly collectable Archaeology, UCL). Her research paintings and products with a is centred on the socio/political contemporary flair. She exhibits and and economic uses and abuses of teaches nationally and internationally. the past in the present, currently www.amberkhokhar.com focusing on the destruction of Near Eastern heritage wrought by internal and external conflict. Her work involves the promotion of Iranian culture through its rich history, music and art. www.royaarab.com

For centuries geometry has informed Kensington & Chelsea College History and ancient stories provide Chelsea Theatre the arts, crafts and architecture of the Hortensia Road, SW10 0QS the basis for a song-writing workshop 7 World’s End Place, Kings Road, Iranian Tradition. Master geometer 020 7573 3600 in connection with Black History SW10 0DR Amber Khokhar will guide you through www.kcc.ac.uk month. Roya Arab will open with 020 7352 1967 www.chelseatheatre.org.uk a geometric pattern using traditional Fulham Broadway a brief overview of Near Eastern tools of the compass and ruler. No History, followed by an ancient Iranian Earl’s Court previous experience is necessary. As tale based on which students will Sloane Square an integral part of her art and design Information write lyrics and melodies for a song practice, Amber has taught geometry 11.00–13.00 to be performed by participants at the Free • Booking Required Information at The , London, The end of the session (please bring any www.kcc.ac.uk 15.00–17.00 Islamic Art Museum, Kuala Lumpur, instruments you play). Free • Booking Required Malaysia and The Royal Botanic www.chelseatheatre.org.uk Gardens, Melbourne, Australia.

Photograph by Mike Massaro

54 | Workshops Workshops | 55 Traditional Persian Introduction to the Art of Dance for Children Arabic Calligraphy Tuesday 29 October Tuesday 29 October Kensington Central Library Leighton House Museum

Ziba Tabrizi is a versatile and Soraya Syed is a London-based dedicated Persian dance specialist calligraphic artist, who received based in Cambridge. She is one of the prestigious icazetname from very few performers of authentic Istanbul in 2005. In her practice, Persian, Afghan, Azeri and Tajik dance she celebrates the constant tension in the UK, and aims to increase public between remaining true to her awareness of these relatively rare, classical training while exploring graceful, diverse and exciting art further possibilities. She recently forms. She has performed across the co-founded an app and web project UK and Iran. called Nuqta. www.artofthepen.com www.persiandance.co.uk

Ziba Tabrizi presents a workshop Meeting Room In partnership with the Prince’s School Leighton House Museum on Persian party dance for children Kensington Central Library of Traditional Arts, this workshop 12 Holland Park Road, W14 8LZ aged 8-14. Participants will learn Phillimore Walk, W8 7RX opens with an introduction to 020 7471 9160 basic steps and movements and a 020 7361 3010 methods, tools and materials as well www.rbkc.gov.uk/museums simple choreography, and be given www.rbkc.gov.uk/libraries as the training involved in becoming a High Street Kensington the opportunity to develop their own High Street Kensington calligrapher. Participants will have a go routine. at writing the Arabic alphabet using traditional soot ink and reed pen, Information Information following a proportional system. The 14.00–17.00 Free • Booking Required 14.00–16.00 session will also include a tour with www.nourfestival.eventbrite.co.uk Free • Booking Required the artist of her exhibition Hurriyah, 020 7942 4040 • [email protected] www.nourfestival.eventbrite.co.uk and an opportunity to learn about the 020 7361 3618 • [email protected] different techniques used to create See page 8 for information on the Hurriyah exhibition. No previous dance experience is necessary. the Hurriyah animation.

56 | Workshops Workshops | 57 Persian Art Traditional Persian for Children Dance for Adults Thursday 31 October Saturday 2 November Kensington Central Library Kensington Central Library

Amber Khokhar is a practising Ziba Tabrizi is a versatile and artist who works with traditional dedicated Persian dance specialist motifs and techniques. From her based in Cambridge. She is one of London studio she creates highly very few performers of authentic collectable paintings and products Persian, Afghan, Azeri and Tajik dance with a contemporary flair. Amber in the UK, and aims to increase public exhibits and teaches nationally and awareness of these relatively rare, internationally. graceful, diverse and exciting art www.amberkhokhar.com forms. She has performed across the UK and Iran. www.persiandance.co.uk

The Persian word for tile, Kashi, Kensington Central Library Ziba Tabrizi presents a workshop on Meeting Room comes from the name of the town Phillimore Walk, W8 7RX solo traditional Persian dance open Kensington Central Library Kashan in Iran. Join artist Amber 020 7361 3010 to anyone over 15. The workshop will Phillimore Walk, W8 7RX Khokhar and be inspired by a www.rbkc.gov.uk/libraries examine fundamental parameters 020 7361 3010 centuries-old artistic tradition. Using High Street Kensington of movement, musical genres, the www.rbkc.gov.uk/libraries paints and paper tiles, participants role of improvisation and elements of High Street Kensington will create beautiful designs that can regional dance. Information be taken home or used to shape a 14.00–16.00 Information Kashan-inspired Tiled Panel. Free • Booking Required 14.00–16.00 www.nourfestival.eventbrite.co.uk Free • Booking Required 020 7361 3618 • [email protected] www.nourfestival.eventbrite.co.uk 020 7361 3618 • [email protected] This session is suitable for 5-11 year olds, preferably accompanied by an adult. No previous dance experience is necessary.

58 | Workshops Workshops | 59 Hurriyah – Dance Commission by Salah El Brogy Sunday 20 October Leighton House Museum

Hailing from Egypt, dancer and choreographer Salah El Brogy is accomplished in many dance forms. In 2008, he received the Best Dancer Award from Egypt’s French Cultural Centre and a year later, choreographed, performed Performance and toured his solo show Adrenalin, before joining Akram Khan Company as lead dancer for Vertical Road in 2010. This year, he opened Salah El 20 Oct • Hurriyah – Dance Commission by Salah El Brogy Brogy Dance Company. 20 Oct • The Sounds of Paradise

25 Oct • The Match – Driss Ksikes

27 Oct • Prophetic Children Acclaimed Egyptian dancer Salah Leighton House Museum 28 Oct • Persia’s Ancient Tales El Brogy responds to Soraya Syed’s 12 Holland Park Road, W14 8LZ Hurriyah exhibition with a solo 020 7471 9160 30 Oct • In-Finite Space at the Science Museum performance, created especially www.rbkc.gov.uk/museums 5 Nov • Crossways / Al Multaqa for the spaces of Leighton House. High Street Kensington Physically expressing the concept and 8 Nov • A Journey to Algeria – London Algerian Ballet animation of Hurriyah, Salah always aspires to go beyond what he does, to Information make a difference and create his own Free with entry price to Leighton House new way in dance, music and theatre. Tickets • £5 | £3 (concessions) Each performance lasts around ten www.rbkc.gov.uk/museums minutes and will take place in the intimacy of the main gallery several times during the day between 12.00 and 16.00. Exact times are available at www.nourfestival.co.uk.

Photograph by Tim Cross

Performance | 61 The Sounds The Match – Driss Ksikes of Paradise Friday 25 October The Gate Theatre Sunday 20 October This new play by Moroccan journalist, The Ismaili Centre writer and dramatist Driss Ksikes, is translated from the French by Nicolas Raficq Abdulla is a writer, poet, public Rouget-Divet, adapted by Patrick speaker and broadcaster. He has Conway and directed by Marianne been a trustee of the Poetry Society Badrichani. and Planet Poetry and is a trustee www.mariannebadrichani.com of English PEN. He is currently an Associate Non-Executive Director of South West London and St. George’s Mental Health NHS Trust. In 1999, Raficq was awarded an MBE for his interfaith work between Muslims, Jews, and Christians. He has published two books of poetry.

Enter a poetic and musical adaptation The Ismaili Centre A contemporary, re-writing of the The Gate Theatre of Jalaluddin Rumi’s poetry, directed 1-7 Cromwell Gardens Oedipus complex about solitude, Above the Prince Albert Pub and interpreted by Raficq Abdulla South Kensington, SW7 2SL revolution and football. Moussa is a 11 Pembridge Road, W11 3HQ and based on his bestselling book 020 7581 2071 disillusioned ex-trade unionist, leaving 0207 229 0706 Words of Paradise. The Sounds of www.theismaili.org prison. His son Ali spends all of his www.gatetheatre.co.uk Paradise will lift your spirits, calm your South Kensington time on the Internet. A battle of words Notting Hill Gate chattering mind, humble your soul and silence takes place, while the and fire your emotions. Rumi’s poetry national football team plays an historic has influenced languages, culture, Information match. Badrichani was chosen by the Information Two performances 19.30–21.30 music and literature across the word. National Theatre Studio to develop an 11.00–12.30 |14.15–15.45 Tickets • £5 Written in Persian, his original tongue, extract from The Match. This is the Tickets • £5 • Booking Required Booking Required his work continues to be widely www.thelittleboxoffice.com/nourfestival first full reading of the play, followed www.gatetheatre.co.uk read across the Persian speaking by a post-show Gate Debate with the 020 7229 0706 world, including in Iran, Tajikistan, artistic team. Afghanistan, Turkey and other parts of Central Asia. The Gate Theatre is supported by Arts Council England.

62 | Performance Performance | 63 Prophetic Persia’s Ancient Children Tales Sunday 27 October Monday 28 October The Ismaili Centre Kensington Central Library

Fathieh Saudi is a poet, writer and Xanthe Gresham works extensively paediatrician. Fathieh is the recipient for the British Museum and the of several awards for her social, Smithsonian Institute in Washington. cultural and humanitarian work, She has been Storyteller in including the Chevalier de L’Ordre du Residence for the Chelsea Physic Merite from France. She is a trustee Garden, Harvard University, Stoke of English PEN and Exiled Writers Ink. and Staffordshire Libraries and is an www.fathieh-saudi.com author for Barefoot Books. www.xanthegresham.co.uk

A poetic and musical journey The Ismaili Centre A performance and audience Meeting Room, Kensington through the lives of Prophets Ibrahim 1-7 Cromwell Gardens participatory story-telling for the Central Library (Abraham), Musa (Moses), Isa South Kensington, SW7 2SL whole family. Xanthe Gresham Phillimore Walk, W8 7RX (Jesus) and Muhammad, from early 020 7581 2071 tells stories from the Shahnameh, 020 7361 3010 childhood, from the book Prophetic www.theismaili.org the Persian Book of Kings. Magical www.rbkc.gov.uk/libraries Children by Fathieh Saudi. This South Kensington horses, wonderful birds, supersized High Street Kensington performance explores the childhood heroes, and consuming passions and life’s journey of the four prophets, abound in this world of romance, war Information Abraham, Moses, Jesus and and adventure. Information Two performances Muhammad through four narrative 14.00–16.00 11.00–12.30 |14.15–15.45 poems with music, and centres on Free • Booking Required Tickets • £5 • Booking Required www.nourfestival.eventbrite.co.uk stories of homeland and exile, hope www.thelittleboxoffice.com/nourfestival and despair, rejection and recognition, 020 7361 3618 • [email protected] sorrow and joy, as it unfolds to bring to life each prophet’s unique path to revelation.

64 | Performance Performance | 65 In-Finite Space at the Crossways / Al Multaqa Science Museum Tuesday 5 November Leighton House Museum Wednesday 30 October Some of the featured artists include: Science Museum British Algerian singer Yadi, Moroccan musician Simo Lagnawi, Moroccan IJAD aims to create a complete photographer Hassan Hajjaj , Algerian synthesis of the real, virtual, graphic artist Walid Bouchouchi, visual and the physical, a fully Palestinian video artist Larissa immersive experience in their work. Sansour, Lebanese video artist They call upon their audiences to Youmna Chlala, Algerian performance immediately involve themselves in artist Sarah El Hamed, Bahraini the performance in order to create visual artist Riffy Ahmed, and more an emotional encounter. This has including a special guest. led to an engagement with sensor www.riffat-a.com technology and disciplines such as www.loveisthelawmag.com live art. www.ijaddancecompany.com

Experience space architecture through Science Museum Riffy Arts Collective in partnership Leighton House Museum IJAD Dance Company’s ‘lens of the Exhibition Road, SW7 2DD with Love is the Law magazine 12 Holland Park Road, W14 8LZ unseen’. Inspired by the Science 020 7942 4000 present an evening of dialogue and 020 7471 9160 Museum’s Middle Eastern astronomy www.sciencemuseum.org.uk exchange by artists and musicians www.rbkc.gov.uk/museums collection, IJAD’s choreography here South Kensington with roots from different Arab High Street Kensington manifests the unrevealed through regions and generations. With dance. A pause between the Middle conceptions often that the Arab World East and the West, the annals of Information is homogeneous with one identity, Information time and the advances of future, Three performances • 19.30–20.00 | the reality is many voices, views, 19.00–21.00 20.15–20.45 | 21.00–21.30 Tickets • £10 | £8 (concessions) and of science and dance, In-Finite traditions, cultures, and even dialogue Free • No Booking Required Booking Required Space is a choreographic two-way variations within each country. Part of the Science Museum’s adult- www.nourfestival.eventbrite.co.uk mirror located between the Science only Lates with MasterCard events, Navigated around the museum to 020 7361 3618 • [email protected] Museum and the twittersphere. Add 18+ only. meeting points between artists of your ideas to the constellation of regions considered neighbours or the event. Enter the IJAD universe diaspora-influenced, art, music and now @IJADdance, and by tweeting performance act as a centre point #infinitereach to @IJADdance. for communication in sharing both differences and similarities.

66 | Performance Performance | 67 A Journey to Algeria: Partners London Algerian Ballet Friday 8 November The Tabernacle Al-Hasaniya Moroccan The Arab British Centre Arab New Trends Banipal Books Women’s Centre www.arabbritishcentre.org.uk www.arabnewtrends.com www.banipal.co.uk A unique dance show uncovering the www.al-hasaniya.org.uk rich cultural heritage and history of Algeria. The ballet proposes dance theatre performances as well as corporate entertainment and offers a variety of courses and workshops for all ages.

British Council The British Egyptian Society Chelsea Theatre City University www.britishcouncil.org www.britishegyptiansociety.org.uk www.chelseatheatre.org.uk www.city.ac.uk

An evening celebration of Algeria’s Main Auditorium The Cultural Capital Exchange Dana Centre Flyover Gate Theatre rich heritage and history through a The Tabernacle www.theculturecapitalexchange.co.uk www.danacentre.org.uk www.theflyover.co.uk www.gatetheatre.co.uk unique show that marries vintage 35 Powis Square, W11 2AY traditional dances with contemporary 0207 221 9700 vibrant acts. The London Algerian www.tabernaclew11.com Ballet will deliver a theatrical Westbourne Park performance, depicting different Ladbroke Grove dances from the Algerian regions, all set within a chronological narrative Inside Out Festival Iran Heritage Foundation The Ismaili Centre Kalimat Magazine Information of key events. A traditional Algerian www.insideoutfestival.org.uk www.iranheritage.org www.theismaili.org www.kalimatmagazine.com 20.00–23.00 meal will also be served during the Tickets £35 • £30 (concessions) evening. Booking Required Includes a traditional Algerian meal www.tabernaclew11.com 020 7221 9700

Katara Kensington & Chelsea The London History Festival London Kurdish Film www.katara.net College www.londonhistoryfestival.com Festival www.kcc.ac.uk www.lkff.org.uk

68 | Performance Partners

Ministry of Culture Qatar Mosaic Rooms Museum of Islamic Art One Taste www.moc.gov.qa www.mosaicrooms.org www.mia.org.qa www.onetaste.org.uk

Roya Arab Nour Festival Organisers | The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea

The Prince’s School of Qatar Museums Qatar UK 2013 Roya Arab Hornton Street • London, W8 7NX Traditional Arts Authority www.qataruk2013.com www.royaarab.com 020 7361 3618 • [email protected] www.psta.org.uk www.qma.com.qa PR Partner and Press Enquiries | Kallaway Ltd 2 Portland Road • Holland Park • London, W11 4LA Will Kallaway • [email protected] Jack Hickmott • jack.hickmott @kallaway.com 020 7221 7883 • kallaway.com Royal Albert Hall Sandpit Arts Saqi Books Science Museum www.royalalberthall.com www.sandpitarts.org www.saqibooks.co.uk www.sciencemuseum.org.uk Design | Danah Abdulla (design_atelier_) [email protected] • kalimatmagazine.com/atelier

Make sure you don’t miss out on any Nour events, by checking for the very latest information, last minute additions and ticket availability at www.nourfestival.co.uk Tabernacle Turquoise Mountain UK Iranian Film Festival Victoria & Albert www.tabernaclew11.com www.turquoisemountainarts.org www.ukiff.org.uk Museum www.vam.ac.uk

70 | Partners www.nourfestival.co.uk Share your Nour

RBKC Culture @NourFestival #nourfestival