Liverpool Arab Arts Festival, the UK’s longest-running Arab arts festival, is celebrating its 25th year by exploring the theme of storytelling and storytellers. The festival, which began in 1998 with the aim of preserving Arab arts, culture, and heritage, has become a symbol of unity, showcasing how cultural events can bring diverse communities together in joyous celebrations.

Running until July 16th, this year’s festival will feature a range of new and returning artists. Through various art forms such as song, theatre, dance, performance, literature, and visual art, the festival will delve into the power of storytelling. Arab artists from around the world will perform and exhibit their work throughout the ten-day event.

One of the highlights of the festival is the comedy night “Arabs Are Not Funny,” which features leading Arab comedians Esther Manito, Fatiha El Ghorri, Farah Sharp, and Talal Karkouti at the Royal Court Studio. Additionally, there will be musical performances by Somali-British singer-songwriter Aar Maanta and award-winning Syrian composer and musician Maya Youssef at the Liverpool Philharmonic’s Music Room.

The Unity Theatre will host a three-night run of theatre, dance, and storytelling, including an experimental performance work by Palestinian writers Ahmed Masoud and Farah Chamma, as well as an autobiographical solo performance by Egyptian dancer Mahmoud El Haddad. Lisa Luxx and Jasmin Kent Rodgman will present “what the dog said to the harvest,” a groundbreaking production calling for climate justice through opera, dance, spoken word, immersive sound, and film.

In addition to performances, the festival will feature workshops for aspiring filmmakers, comedians, and DJs at the World Museum Liverpool, along with other activities for children. The festival will conclude with a family day spectacular at Sefton Park Palm House, celebrating contemporary and traditional Arab music and dance.

Taher Qassim, a board member of the festival, emphasises that its purpose is to represent Arab culture and people in a positive light, utilising art’s unique ability to connect individuals with different life experiences on a profound level.

The representative of the festival highlights that this annual event is part of a larger year-round artistic and educational program that celebrates Arab art and culture. Over the past 25 years, the festival has brought diverse groups of people together, increasing public knowledge and understanding of the richness of Arab culture. It has provided a platform for Arab artists locally, nationally, and internationally, showcasing thousands of talented individuals, generating international media coverage for the city, and demonstrating the power of Arab-led cultural organisations to foster unity and celebrate cultural diversity.

As the Liverpool Arab Arts Festival reaches this significant milestone, it continues to serve as a support of cultural exchange, promoting understanding and appreciation of Arab art, while nurturing the rich heritage of the Arab community in Liverpool and beyond.

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