The UK’s Royal Borough Kensington and Chelsea will celebrate the very best in contemporary arts and culture from across the Middle East and North Africa region the Nour Festival, starting 1 October through 1 December 2012, just in time for UAE holidaymakers that are planning for their Eid Al-Adha trips.
Bigger and better than before, Nour 2012 returns for its third year in the UK borough of Kensington and Chelsea, where the second most widely spoken language is Arabic. Delivered in partnership with a stellar cast of cultural organisations, including Leighton House Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum, The Mosaic Rooms, the Ismaili Centre, Science Museum, The Tabernacle, the Muslim Cultural Heritage Centre and many others, the festival challenges perceptions of life in the Middle East and North Africa.
“UAE residents appreciate emerging and world-renowned art and they endeavor to promote a positive image of the regional culture through international dialogue,” said Carol Maddison, UAE Manager of VisitBritain. “By attending the Nour Festival, visitors can witness an ongoing British commitment to cultural excellence and while in Kensington and Chelsea, they will have a chance to expose their selves to some of the best-known cultural institutions in the UK.”
Created by the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, Nour – which means ‘light’ or ‘illumination’ in Arabic - has now expanded beyond its original venue of Leighton House, a remarkable symbol of east meeting west, to embrace the entire borough.
This year’s festival takes place in globally renowned cultural centres across the borough, including the Victoria and Albert Museum, Science Museum the Muslim Cultural Heritage Centre, the Ciné Lumière, The Tabernacle, and the Mosaic Rooms. The programme embraces film, exhibitions, talks and debates, literature, music, politics, visual arts, fashion and cuisine.
Major artists involved include the British Palestinian author Selma Dabbagh, the Iraqi music artist Attab Haddad, and the Arab musician and broadcaster Reem Kelani in a thought-provoking programme that tackles taboos, provides a platform for emerging voices, and showcases international talent.
Highlights of the 2012 programme include:
- Light from the Middle East – a major exhibition of contemporary photography from and about the Middle East
- An evening of song inspired by social protest set to electro and trip hop rhythms with Tunisian singer/songwriter Emel Mathlouthi
- An exploration of the role of art and culture in Syria, a country scarred by violence, with prolific author and journalist Malu Halasa
- An evening with the acclaimed poet Al Saddiq Al-Raddi, whose work vividly reflects the complexity of his heritage as an African poet writing in Arabi
- Film screenings from up-and-coming Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) film-makers will be shown at Leighton House Museum in association with the London MENA Film Festival
“Nour has rapidly developed into an internationally respected festival of contemporary culture from across the Middle East and North Africa,” said Councillor Nicholas Paget-Brown, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Transport, Environment, and Leisure Services. “We are very proud that the festival has expanded to provide an increased global platform for emerging voices and international talent.” |