Book a pass to access all three AWAN Talks on 11 March for £10.
Join three inspiring Arab women for a conversation about Palestinian literature; Nora E.H. Parr, author and expert on Palestinian literature will be joined by Palestinian authors Selma Dabbagh and Heba Alhayek. They will also be joined by contemporary Palestinian literature PhD student Shada Shahin.
The three panelists will discuss the unique genre of Palestinian fiction through the themes of artistic trends, revolutionary innovation, the evolution of symbols, and the importance surrounding the death of the hero poet.
Event starts at 12.30pm (Doors open from 12pm)
Whether you’re familiar with Palestinian fiction or interested to learn more about this unique genre – we invite you to engage in this refreshing and inspiring conversation.
Speakers:
Nora Parr is an important researcher and author specialising in Palestinian novels and Postcolonial literature through various lenses ranging from nationalism to global mental health. Nora has taught and held research positions at SOAS, University of London, Freie Universitat Berlin, the University of Birmingham, the Kenyon Institute, King’s College London, and Bethlehem University. Some of her recent research projects and essays include: What is the Arabic for ‘trauma’? Freie Universität Berlin – Arabistik Seminar – PalREADRights for Time Middle Eastern Literatures Ibrahim Nasrallah’s Palestine Comedies: Liberating the Nation Form,” No More “Eloquent Silence”
Selma Dabbagh is a British Palestinian writer whose work has been published by a wide range of notable publications and anthologies, including international PEN, Granta and The British Council. Selma’s work is mainly set in the contemporary Middle East and her first novel ‘Out of It‘ won ‘Guardian Book of the Year’. Her work also appears in the Comma Press publication Palestine + 100 – Stories from a Century after the Nakba. Selma has also written for the stage and screen, including The Brick , a radio play broadcast by BBC Radio 4, and Sleep It Off, Dr. Schott , broadcast by GDR. Read more about Selma’s practice here: https://selmadabbagh.com/
Heba Alhayek is a London-based Palestinian author, communication consultant, and facilitator. Heba’s first book, Sambac Beneath Unlikely Skies, was shortlisted for the 2022 Palestine Book Awards and chosen as a 2021 Book of the Year by The White Review, Middle East Eye and The New Arab. Rooted in decolonial, queer and indigenous practice, Heba’s writing navigates topics such as disposability, global south solidarity movements, land justice, and more. Read more about Heba’s practice here: https://www.hebahayek.org
Shada Shahin is a second year PhD student in English Literature at the University of Birmingham. Her research interests are Palestinian and postcolonial studies, autobiography and memoir writing, and psychoanalysis. In her PhD thesis, she employs mainly, but not exclusively, Lacanian psychoanalysis to explore contemporary Palestinian identity as presented in selected Post-Oslo literary works. She holds a Master degree in English studies from the University of Exeter and a Bachelor of English Language and Literature from Bethlehem University, Palestine. Before starting her PhD, she taught English literature at Bethlehem University, Palestine.
The evening is presented by Arts Canteen in collaboration with Rich Mix.
Supported by Arts Council England.
Arab Women Artists Now (AWAN) is the UK’s only contemporary multi-arts festival dedicated to showcasing Arab women’s artistic work, taking place each March, to coincide with International Women’s Day across venues in London. The festival showcases work in venues across London. Celebrating and promoting high quality female artists from the Arab world and diaspora the cross-arts festival features music, comedy, literature, visual art, theatre and performance, along with a series of workshops and development opportunities for emerging artists.