Welcome everybody to the
Liverpool Arabic Arts Festival 11 - 27 July 2008
The Arabic community came first to Liverpool in the 19th century and it is one of the oldest ethnic minority communities in the UK. In 1999 a partnership was founded between Liverpool Arabic Centre and the Bluecoat - Nadey Al Bluecoat - to provide Arabic arts and culture in Liverpool. Over the years this partnership has grown to include many of the major arts institutions in the city as well as individuals and local community organisations. The first festival was launched in 2002 and it has run successfully each year since as a celebratory event raising awareness, understanding and appreciation of this rich cultural heritage for non Arabic and Arabic communities in Liverpool and beyond.
On behalf of the festival and its partners we invite you all to enjoy and take part in this year's event which serves as our richest and biggest programme to date. This year's festival forms part of the city's 2008 Capital of Culture celebrations and whether your interests lie in the visual arts, literature, theatre, film, music, dance, family events or simply food, you will find something of interest.
Please note if you wish to buy tickets for Khaled on Saturday 12 July or Lawrence of Arabia on Tuesday 22 July at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall the correct Box Office number is 0151 709 3789.
You can also book tickets for the above events at www.liverpoolphil.com
If you would like information about the New Ends, Old Beginnings exhibition at Open Eye Gallery the correct number is 0151 709 9460.
We apologise for incorrect telephone numbers being given on this website and in the festival brochure.
We are grateful to all of our funders who have made this year's festival possible:
Arts Council England North West, Liverpool Culture Company, Liverpool City Council, Heritage Lottery Fund, Lloyds TSB, North West Vision and Media, Yemen Airways, Yemen Embassy in London, The British Yemeni Society, The Yemeni British Friendship Association in Sana'a, The British Council, Anna Lindh Euro-Mediterranean Foundation and Unison North West.
LAAF Executive Group:
Alastair Upton - Chief Executive at the Bluecoat
Bryan Biggs - Artist Director at the Bluecoat
Ilham Ali - Active8
Ngozi Ikoku - Festival Manager
Simon Glinn - Executive Director of Liverpool Philharmonic Hall & Events
Taher Qassim - Chair, Executive Group and Liverpool Arabic Centre
LAAF Partners' Group:
Arts for Palestine
the Bluecoat
Caroline Afifi
FACT
Liverpool Arabic Centre
Liverpool Philharmonic Hall
National Museums Liverpool
LAAF 2008 Team:
Adrian Pennington PR
Finoon Saleh Festival Coordinator
Ngozi Ikoku Festival Manager
Rachael Eades Marketing Coordinator
Rana Salam Design Graphics
Razak Mossa Translator
Yemenat Al Madhagi Festival Intern
Enquiries: info@thebluecoat.org.uk / 0151 702 5324
