So, like, there’s this massive festival happening in South London this summer, showcasing performances, music, literature, and art from the Arab region. It’s called Shubbak Festival, which means ‘window’ in Arabic, and it’s like the UK’s biggest festival for contemporary Arab and SWANA artists.
It’s been around for a decade now, and it’s helped launch some up-and-coming artists into the global spotlight. From May 23 to June 17, you can catch all the action at various venues across South London, kicking things off with an alternative fashion show at the Southbank Centre called The People’s Catwalk.
The festival will feature designs from the Arab and SWANA community, including the Reeta El Khoury Collection. There’s also a night dedicated to celebrating queer SWANA creatives, and performances like Salim Djaferi’s Koulounisation, which explores the impact of language on identity and memory.
If you’re into music, head over to New Cross Road for a night of punk, hardcore, and hip hop, all for a good cause. And don’t miss out on workshops exploring shared experiences between different diasporas, as well as performances like Naseer Shamma’s soul-stirring oud compositions.
The festival also features exhibitions and performances at various locations, like the Crypt Gallery and Lower Stable Street in Kings Cross. This whole thing started back in 2011 as a one-off event, but now it’s become a permanent celebration of Arab culture in London. Check out their website for more info and tickets.
