{"id":235278,"date":"2025-07-03T17:31:12","date_gmt":"2025-07-03T17:31:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/235278\/"},"modified":"2025-07-03T17:31:12","modified_gmt":"2025-07-03T17:31:12","slug":"10-day-festival-announces-full-lineup-for-city-centre-takeover","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/235278\/","title":{"rendered":"10-day festival announces full lineup for city centre takeover"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The festival arrives in the city centre on July 11<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/0_JMP_LEC_180315ARABARTSFEST_04JPG.jpg\" alt=\"The Al Awadhel Band perform in the main courtyard at the Bluecoat\" loading=\"eager\"  \/>The Al Awadhel Band perform in the main courtyard at the Bluecoat(Image: Liverpool Echo)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \"><a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/whats-on\/arts-culture-news\/arab-arts-festival-returning-two-31150229\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Liverpool Arab Arts Festival (LAAF)<\/a>, the UK&#8217;s longest running annual festival of Arab arts and culture, has revealed its full lineup. The festival, now in its 26th year, returns on July 11 for a 10-day takeover.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">LAAF supports and promotes artists from the Arab region and its diaspora, with the belief art and creativity can express our shared humanity. The festival also celebrates Liverpool&#8217;s distinctive identity with artistic talent and a global community<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">Afrah Qassim, chair of <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/whats-on\/arts-culture-news\/arab-arts-festival-returning-two-31150229\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Liverpool Arab Arts Festival<\/a>, said: &#8220;This year, our theme is Nostalgia a powerful reflection on longing for the past, often idealised or romanticised, and rooted in both personal and collective memory.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">&#8220;In times of migration, modernisation, war, and upheaval,nostalgia becomes a tool of resilience. It allows us to reclaim traditions, honour legacies, and connect generations bridging time through storytelling, art, and cultural expression.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">&#8220;As we gather for this year\u2019s festival, we do so with heavy hearts. The ongoing suffering across the Middle East, particularly in Palestine, has brought unimaginable loss and devastation. These tragedies have impacted our families, friends, artists, communities,and partners.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">&#8220;In the face of such pain,our commitment to solidarity, justice, and freedom remains unwavering.This year\u2019s festival is dedicated to all who have lost their lives, including fellow artists,and to those who continue to fight for freedom, dignity, and peace across the Arab world and beyond.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">LAAF will taker place in various venues across the city from July 11 &#8211; July 20. You can take a look at the full event schedule below.<\/p>\n<p>Liverpool Arab Arts Festival events in full<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Penguin<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul class=\"UnorderedList_unordered-list__gzblI\">\n<li class=\"sc-700e1ff3-0 VljCu\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"\/>Friday 11th July, 7:30pm. Unity Theatre.<\/li>\n<li class=\"sc-700e1ff3-0 VljCu\">You can purchase tickets <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.arabartsfestival.com\/\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">here.<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Limbs of the Lunar Disc: Break the Clocks<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul class=\"UnorderedList_unordered-list__gzblI\">\n<li class=\"sc-700e1ff3-0 VljCu\">Saturday 12th July, 1pm. World Museum<\/li>\n<li class=\"sc-700e1ff3-0 VljCu\">Free. You can book your place <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.arabartsfestival.com\/\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">here.<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Arabs Are Not Funny<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul class=\"UnorderedList_unordered-list__gzblI\">\n<li class=\"sc-700e1ff3-0 VljCu\">Saturday 12th July, 7:30pm. Rough Trade Liverpool<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"UnorderedList_unordered-list__gzblI\">\n<li class=\"sc-700e1ff3-0 VljCu\">You can purchase tickets <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.arabartsfestival.com\/\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">here.<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Hadi Badi Children&#8217;s Workshop<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul class=\"UnorderedList_unordered-list__gzblI\">\n<li class=\"sc-700e1ff3-0 VljCu\">Sunday 13th July, 12pm. Bluecoat<\/li>\n<li class=\"sc-700e1ff3-0 VljCu\">You can purchase tickets <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.arabartsfestival.com\/\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">here.<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Palestinian Tatreez (Embroidery) Workshop<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul class=\"UnorderedList_unordered-list__gzblI\">\n<li class=\"sc-700e1ff3-0 VljCu\">Sunday 13th July, 2-4pm. Bluecoat<\/li>\n<li class=\"sc-700e1ff3-0 VljCu\">You can purchase tickets <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.arabartsfestival.com\/\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">here.<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Archiving Nostalgia<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul class=\"UnorderedList_unordered-list__gzblI\">\n<li class=\"sc-700e1ff3-0 VljCu\">Monday 14th July, 7pm.FACT Liverpool.<\/li>\n<li class=\"sc-700e1ff3-0 VljCu\">You can purchase tickets <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.arabartsfestival.com\/\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">here.<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Dounia Part 1 &amp; 2: Cinema at Crosby Plaza<\/strong><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"\/><\/p>\n<ul class=\"UnorderedList_unordered-list__gzblI\">\n<li class=\"sc-700e1ff3-0 VljCu\">Sunday 13th July, 1pm. Plaza Community Cinema<\/li>\n<li class=\"sc-700e1ff3-0 VljCu\">You can purchase tickets <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.arabartsfestival.com\/\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">here.<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Jordanian Food &amp; Cultural Experience with Yamama<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul class=\"UnorderedList_unordered-list__gzblI\">\n<li class=\"sc-700e1ff3-0 VljCu\">Tuesday 15th July, 12pm. Yamama Caf\u00e9 and Bar<\/li>\n<li class=\"sc-700e1ff3-0 VljCu\">You can purchase tickets <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.arabartsfestival.com\/\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">here.<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Palestine Minus One<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul class=\"UnorderedList_unordered-list__gzblI\">\n<li class=\"sc-700e1ff3-0 VljCu\">Wednesday 16th July, 7pm. Bluecoat<\/li>\n<li class=\"sc-700e1ff3-0 VljCu\">You can purchase tickets <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.arabartsfestival.com\/\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">here.<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Legend of the Looms<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul class=\"UnorderedList_unordered-list__gzblI\">\n<li class=\"sc-700e1ff3-0 VljCu\">Thursday 17th July, 7pm. <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/all-about\/toxteth\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Toxteth<\/a> TV<\/li>\n<li class=\"sc-700e1ff3-0 VljCu\">You can purchase tickets <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.arabartsfestival.com\/\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">here.<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">A Grain Of Sand<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul class=\"UnorderedList_unordered-list__gzblI\">\n<li class=\"sc-700e1ff3-0 VljCu\">Friday 18th July, 7:30pm. Unity Theatre<\/li>\n<li class=\"sc-700e1ff3-0 VljCu\">You can purchase tickets <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.arabartsfestival.com\/\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">here.<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Book of Sana&#8217;a<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul class=\"UnorderedList_unordered-list__gzblI\">\n<li class=\"sc-700e1ff3-0 VljCu\">Saturday 19th July, 12:45pm. VideOdyssey<\/li>\n<li class=\"sc-700e1ff3-0 VljCu\">You can purchase tickets <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.arabartsfestival.com\/\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">here.<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Akram Abdulfattah<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul class=\"UnorderedList_unordered-list__gzblI\">\n<li class=\"sc-700e1ff3-0 VljCu\">Saturday 19th July, 8pm. Philharmonic Music Room<\/li>\n<li class=\"sc-700e1ff3-0 VljCu\">You can purchase tickets <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.arabartsfestival.com\/\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">here.<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">LAAF Family Day<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul class=\"UnorderedList_unordered-list__gzblI\">\n<li class=\"sc-700e1ff3-0 VljCu\">Sunday 20th July, 12 noon. <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/all-about\/sefton\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Sefton<\/a> Park Palmhouse<\/li>\n<li class=\"sc-700e1ff3-0 VljCu\">Free.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Nour Bishouty &#8211; Liverpool Biennial 2025<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul class=\"UnorderedList_unordered-list__gzblI\">\n<li class=\"sc-700e1ff3-0 VljCu\">Until 14th September. Walker Art Gallery<\/li>\n<li class=\"sc-700e1ff3-0 VljCu\">Free<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">The Alexandrian<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul class=\"UnorderedList_unordered-list__gzblI\">\n<li class=\"sc-700e1ff3-0 VljCu\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"\/>Opening Friday 11th July &#8211; Sunday 20th July. Yamama Caf\u00e9 and Bar<\/li>\n<li class=\"sc-700e1ff3-0 VljCu\">Free<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Limbs of the Lunar Disc: Isthmus Ancient River<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul class=\"UnorderedList_unordered-list__gzblI\">\n<li class=\"sc-700e1ff3-0 VljCu\">Opening Friday 11th July &#8211; Sunday 20th July. World Museum<\/li>\n<li class=\"sc-700e1ff3-0 VljCu\">Free<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The festival arrives in the city centre on July 11The Al Awadhel Band perform in the main courtyard&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":235279,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8815],"tags":[748,393,12394,4884,179,2349,14422,16,15],"class_list":{"0":"post-235278","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-liverpool","8":"tag-britain","9":"tag-england","10":"tag-gigs-and-festivals","11":"tag-great-britain","12":"tag-liverpool","13":"tag-liverpool-city-centre","14":"tag-things-to-do-liverpool","15":"tag-uk","16":"tag-united-kingdom"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/114790497260052805","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/235278","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=235278"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/235278\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/235279"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=235278"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=235278"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=235278"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}