Everything you need to know about Liverpool Arab Arts Festival 2024

The Liverpool Arab Arts Festival, the longest-running festival of Arab arts and culture in the UK is returning this month.

Spread across various venues in Liverpool, The Liverpool Arab Arts Festival (LAAF) offers a platform for Arab artists through theatre, visual art, performance, literature, music, and more.

When is it?

The festival will take place from 12 – 21 July 2024.

Where is it?

The festival will be held at various locations throughout the city.

Here’s your guide to the festival’s key highlights and events:

Palestinian Double-Header

Marina Barham, General Director of Al-Harah Theatre in Bethlehem, will discuss Palestinian theatre and its role in overcoming trauma. This will be followed by a performance of “ORANGES & STONES,” a play depicting life under occupation in Palestine.

• Date: Thursday, 18th July
• Location: Unity Theatre

Port Cities Exhibition and Symposium

This project celebrates Liverpool’s global identity through visual arts, with renowned Arab artists exploring the city’s social and cultural links to the Arab region. The symposium will feature performances, talks, and screenings.

• Exhibition Launch: Friday, 12th July
• Symposium: Monday, 15th July
• Location: Space Liverpool and The Bluecoat

Chambers of the Heart

A new play by Hassan Abdulrazzak, exploring love, desire, and memory through the stories of three women.

• Dates: Friday, 19th July and Saturday, 20th July
• Location: Unity Theatre

Arabs Are Not Funny

A comedy night featuring comedians Prince Abdi, Fatiha El-Ghouri, Janine Harouini, and Maria Shehata.

• Date: Saturday, 13th July
• Location: Unity Theatre

The Ayoub Sisters

The award-winning instrumental duo will present an evening of live music.

• Date: Saturday, 20th July
• Location: Liverpool Philharmonic Music Room

Hadi Badi Books Workshop

A storytelling workshop with arts and crafts for children aged 4-8.

• Date: Saturday, 13th July
• Location: Liverpool Central Library

Comedy Workshop with Maria Shehata

A workshop for those interested in stand-up comedy.

• Date: Saturday, 13th July
• Location: Liverpool Central Library

Janette Ayachi Poetry Reading

A reading from Scottish-Algerian poet Janette Ayachi’s second collection “Quick Fire, Slow Burning.”

• Date: Wednesday, 17th July
• Location: Bluecoat

Arab Film Night

A special summer evening of Arab films selected by Sarah Agha and The Colour of Pomegranates group.

• Date: Sunday, 14th July
• Location: Plaza Community Cinema, Waterloo

Fundraising Screening: At Home in Gaza and London

An artistic collaboration between Gaza and London, presenting digital workshops.

• Date: Monday, 15th July
• Location: Bluecoat

Family Day

A free afternoon of music, performance, authentic Arab culture, food, and drink for the whole family.

• Date: Sunday, 21st July
• Location: Sefton Park Palm House

Full Liverpool Arab Arts Festival Line-Up:

Port Cities Exhibition

• Dates: Friday, 12th July – Saturday, 20th July
• Times: 12pm – 4pm (Launch event: 1-4pm)
• Location: Space Liverpool
• Admission: Free

Yalla Neحky – Hadi Badi Books Workshop for Children

• Date: Saturday, 13th July
• Times: 12pm – 1:30pm
• Location: Liverpool Central Library
• Admission: Free (Booking required)

Comedy Workshop with Maria Shehata

• Date: Saturday, 13th July
• Times: 1pm – 2:30pm
• Location: Liverpool Central Library
• Admission: £6

Arabs Are Not Funny

• Date: Saturday, 13th July
• Times: 7:30pm
• Location: Unity Theatre
• Admission: £15

Arab Film Night: At The Library X LAAF

• Date: Sunday, 14th July
• Times: 4pm – 7pm
• Location: Plaza Community Cinema, Waterloo
• Admission: £5 (Free for L20, L21, L22 postcodes)

Port Cities Symposium

• Date: Monday, 15th July
• Times: 10am – 4pm
• Location: Bluecoat
• Admission: £10 (Pay what you can)

Fundraising Screening: At Home in Gaza and London

• Date: Monday, 15th July
• Times: 6pm – 8pm
• Location: Bluecoat
• Admission: £10

Janette Ayachi: Exploring Heritage Through Poetry

• Date: Wednesday, 17th July
• Times: 6pm – 7pm
• Location: Bluecoat
• Admission: £8/£6

Marina Barham: A Voice for Theatre and Culture in Palestine

• Date: Thursday, 18th July
• Times: 6pm – 7pm
• Location: Unity Theatre
• Admission: £6

ORANGES & STONES

• Date: Thursday, 18th July
• Times: 7:30pm
• Location: Unity Theatre
• Admission: £15

Chambers of the Heart

• Dates: Friday, 19th July and Saturday, 20th July
• Times: 7:30pm
• Location: Unity Theatre
• Admission: £15

The Ayoub Sisters

• Date: Saturday, 20th July
• Times: 8pm
• Location: Music Room, Liverpool Philharmonic
• Admission: £15

Family Day

• Date: Sunday, 21st July
• Times: 12pm – 5pm
• Location: Sefton Park Palm House
• Admission: Free

For more info and to book tickets visit the Liverpool Arab Arts Festival website.

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