‘Young LAAF’ to showcase youth projects at Liverpool Arab Arts Festival
Liverpool Arab Arts Festival (LAAF) – the UK’s biggest annual celebration of Arab arts and culture – has announced several youth pop-up events to join its exciting programme this month.
Young LAAF is a special project, funded by Amal – A Said Foundation Project to promote the voice of young people of Arab culture or Muslim faith.
For the first time, a group of young people aged 14 – 25 have come together to research, plan, programme and deliver special pop up events as part of Liverpool Arab Arts Festival 2017 (8 – 16 July).
Young LAAF Events
My ID
10 July, 6-8pm
Bluecoat, Liverpool
Spoken word event. Followed by a Q & A to discuss identity for Arab young people in Liverpool today. Exploring Arabic text through performance and original works from young Arab people in Liverpool.
There will be a performance by Amina Atiq, a Yemeni published poet and member of Writing on the Wall’s young writers group who uses her words to educate.
All welcome. Suitable for all the family.
Ramadan Nights
14 July, 1-3pm
Calderstones School, Liverpool
(Closed event – school pupils only)
This event aims to increase the awareness and understanding of Ramadan by using Arab arts to explore the rituals and traditions.
For this event, the Young LAAF group have commissioned master calligrapher Moustafa Hassan, and the Liverpool Lantern Company who create amazing light creations big and small to work with 60 pupils.
An award-winning photographer Leila Romaya, has been working with a group of young people to create an exhibition that will be premiered at this event.
There will be cultural refreshments chosen by our young people: dates, samosas, and vimto!
Ramadan Nights Photography Exhibition
16 July, 12-4pm
On tour at LAAF Unison Family Day, Sefton Park, Palm House
See the life of young people of muslim faith from Liverpool during Ramadan and Eid.
Through the camera lens, gain an insight into the important rituals to their time during their holy month of Ramadan and festival Eid al-Fitr.
Youth Choir performance with Reem Kelani
16 July, 2.30pm
Main Stage at LAAF Unison Family Day, Sefton Park, Palm HouseÂ
Come and hear a local choir perform traditional songs from greater Syria, and Palestine with acclaimed performer Reem Kelani,
A great way to end the first year of Young LAAF, whilst having a full fun packed day at the Palm House for all the family.
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The nine-day festival of theatre, music, visual art, dance, literature, film, food and family fun takes place from 8-16 July 2017.
This year LAAF explores the theme of ‘The space between us’, responding to Liverpool’s city-wide 67-17: 50 Summers of Love season, celebrating the release of the Beatles’ Sgt Pepper’s album. The title is taken from a lyric from Within You Without You a track on side 2 of the album written by George Harrison, which tells of overcoming the forces that prevent us from recognising what unites the world.
For more information on the full Liverpool Arab Arts Festival programme, and to book tickets, visit www.arabartsfestival.com