On 8 November 2019, we had a workshop to teach Dabke to Mancunian community in Rethink Rebuild Society centre in Longsight. Dabke is a native Levantine folk dance performed by the Lebanese, Jordanians, Syrians, Palestinians and Iraqis (and, of course, on the Island of Crete, think Zorba the Greek!).
Piece by Piece - Syrian Mosaic Art is a workshop by the artist Khalda Alkhmri took place on Friday 8 November 2019. During the workshop Khalda talked about Syrian mosaic, its history and its significance as one of the oldest and most authentic crafts still known and practiced in Damascus.
Sarmada is a charming performance of a mixture of musical story telling by Alia a Zougbi took place on 7 November in N.I.A.M.O.S Radical Art & Music Cultural Centre theatre.
Armenian Infusion: Aleppo Cuisine is a cooking workshop took place on 7 November 2019 in Rethink Rebuild Society Centre in Longsight. It was a rare opportunity to taste the impact of history on gastronomy.
On the 7th of November, Rethink Rebuild Society's Manager Dr. Haytham Alhamwi delivered a lecture in the University of Manchester as part of the Development and Inequality module. Dr. Alhamwi talked about what life was like in Syria before and after 2011 and why Syrian people had to flee their country.
On Wednesday 6 November, we had the London Syrian Ensemble (the best Syrian band in the UK!) to perform some classical and some new Syrian and oriental music with a huge emotional range and depth. The London Syrian Ensemble is a collective of some of the Damascus Conservatoire’s finest musicians, now based in the UK.
On Wednesday 6 November, we had the pleasure of exploring the beautiful art of Arabic calligraphy, as part of the Celebrating Syria: A Festival of Arts and Culture 2019. Syrian calligraphist Abdullah Al-Anezi led a workshop on the art of Arabic calligraphy at Longsight Library.
On Tuesday 5 November 2019, we had the 1st screening of the award-winning film: The Day I lost My Shadow at Home Cinema in Manchester. The film highlights the story of a Syrian mother (Sana) whose dream was to find a cooking gas to prepare a meal for her son. She takes a day off from her job to search for a gas cylinder.
Full house on the evening of Monday 4 November 2019 at Manchester Central Library to hear from the brilliant Saad Hajo on "What it's Like to be a Cartoonist from the Middle East". It was an amazing event .So much food for though!
On Monday 4 November 2019 we had our first cooking workshop as part of Celebrating Syria Festival 2019. At this hands-on workshop, attendees learnt how to make a platter of mixed mezze so they can impress their guest. It was homely, calm & relaxed atmosphere and participants truly enjoyed this fantastic experience.