Arabic language festival? Liverpool is the place to be this July

LIVERPOOL ARABIC ARTS FESTIVAL  a celebration of Arabic arts and culture ( www.arabicartsfestival.co.uk      

LIVERPOOL ARABIC ARTS FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES 2010 PROGRAMME (Media release     

 The award winning Liverpool Arabic Arts Festival (LAAF) is delighted to unveil the full programme for the nation’s most significant celebration of Arabic culture which this year is sponsored by Unison North West. A major ten day event running 02-11 July 2010, LAAF bursts with activities spanning the visual arts, literature, dance, film, food and music. As ever, chances to participate in the festival abound. There’s a unique chance to catch two hugely popular singers making rare UK appearances. Egyptian superstar Mohamed Mounir who will personally introduce a special screening of Yousef Chahine’s acclaimed film Destiny, in which he also stars.  The centrepiece of the Festival is the Family Day taking place throughout the Bluecoat building and gardens. This is a multi art form event featuring live music, dance, storytelling, workshops, stalls and food for Arab and non Arab audiences of all ages. It’s free and open to all.  In the field of visual arts, highly regarded London-based curator Rose Issa has devised Arabicity especially for LAAF2010. This promises to be a thought-provoking and eye-popping exhibition which introduces six contemporary Arab artists working in film, photography, painting and stencil. Other highlights include a reading by Lebanese poet Hyam Yared. She rose to prominence as a member of the Beirut39, a literary award formed by the Hay Festival last year to celebrate the most exciting group of young Arab writers under 39 years of age.   Earlier this year LAAF was recognised by the Arab British Centre which honoured it with the Arab British Culture & Society Award 2010 for an outstanding contribution to the British public’s knowledge and understanding of the life, society and culture of the Arab people. LAAF acknowledges the tremendous support provided by Liverpool City Council and Arts Council England.     

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There is poetry reading, Middle Eastern food to taste and some folk stories to listen to!