Welcome to the latest edition of The Arts Edit, the weekly newsletter from The National's Abu Dhabi newsroom rounding up this week's most noteworthy arts and culture stories.
IN FOCUS
Perhaps the most significant art show in Venice at the moment, the Palestinian exhibition Foreigners in their Homeland: Occupation, Apartheid, Genocide, is not part of the official biennial.
In fact, the Palestine Museum US, which organised the From Palestine with Art show in 2022 as an official event, had its application for the exhibition rejected towards the end of last year.
The Palestinian artists persisted, refusing to let their voices be silenced. And now their acclaimed show is both a tribute to the indefatigable spirit of their people and another example of it.
“I think having Palestinian representation in Venice is very important,” widely acclaimed artist Samia Halaby tells The National’s Razmig Bedirian. “We must do our best to make our voices heard.”
The exhibition brings together works by 26 Palestinian artists, both from within Palestine as well as its diaspora. It touches upon more than a century’s worth of culture and history at a time when the Palestinian experience is especially marked by heartbreak.
The war in Gaza is raging on amid crucial ceasefire talks and more than 34,700 Palestinians have been killed since it began.
For Halaby, this is a challenge to the entire art establishment that she has worked with for decades and a conscious reframing of the relationship she’s had with that community.
“In all my life as an artist, I am chosen rather than choosing, I am the subject, not the do-er,” Halaby says.
Now, finally, she is taking matters into her own hands, alongside the more than two dozen people involved in the remarkable exhibition. This is a trend that artists around the world are increasingly embracing, including both Palestinians and those who support a free Palestine.
Last night, American rapper Macklemore released Hind's Hall, a track inspired by the student protests in support of Palestine happening around the world. The song pays tribute to Hind Rajab, a Palestinian child, 6, who was recently killed by the Israeli military in Gaza.
Musical support continues in the US and UK, where more than 50 musicians joined forces for the release of a new benefit album at the weekend.
And around the world, murals by artists from all walks of life, famous and anonymous, continue to pop up in both solidarity and protest, which Maan Jalal has written about here.
As Palestinians persist in demonstrating their resilience, an increasing number of supporters are inspired to stand with them each day. Despite approaching the eighth month of this devastating conflict, support only seems to grow and attention towards those advocating for peace and freedom remains unwavering.
A 'sweet' victory for this year's Sheikh Zayed Book Award winner
Success is sweet for Reem Bassiouney, Saeed Saeed writes.
The Egyptian author won the literature category of the Sheikh Zayed Book Award for her epic Arabic novel about a dessert-making family in Egypt. On Monday, she received a gold medal and Dh750,000 ($204,200) cash prize at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair.
Released in 2022, Al Halwani … Thulathiyat al-Fatimiyeen’ (Al Halwani: The Fatimid Trilogy) has three loosely connected stories set during Egypt’s Fatimid Dynasty with real-life heroes from Egyptian history.
It begins with the tale of Jawhar As Siqilli, the Italian-born military commander who founded Cairo in the 10th century.
This is followed by the story of Badr Al Jamali, the commander restoring order in a politically fractious Cairo around the 11th century, and his contributions to the planning of the Egyptian capital, many of which can still be seen today.
The final section belongs to Saladin, the Egyptian sultan reclaiming Jerusalem from the Crusaders in 1187, thus affirming the rule of his Ayyubid Dynasty over Egypt until 1250.
Tracking those heady periods of political intrigue, societal ruptures and military campaigns are an array of sweets, many of them Arabic staples. Bassiouney fuses the narrative with meditations and recipes, told through generations of sweet makers, including treats such as Qatayef, a stuffed pancake typically filled with sweet cheese and syrup, and Aroosat Al Mawlid, a colourful sweet resembling a bride.
Speaking to The National, Bassiouney stresses the importance of the sweet treats in Egyptian history.
Hidden-gem film festivals from around the world
The Cannes Film Festival, which has been running since the 1940s, will start its 77th iteration on May 14. It has been a stalwart of cinematic achievement and exploration, highlighting momentous films and introducing audiences to up-and-coming directors.
While festivals such as Cannes garner global attention annually, the celebration of film exists all around the world – sometimes in the most unlikely of places.
These festivals highlight important topics and are often found in picturesque locations.
From the Finnish countryside to the historical city of Kyoto, Faisal Salah has put together a list of some hidden-gem film festivals well worth the entry ticket.
Find the full collection of gems here.
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DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
- Waterbomb Festival at Festival City, Dubai – June 7 and 8
- Chicago the Musical at Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi – September 12 to 22
- Green Day and Offspring at Expo City, Dubai – January 27
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS
