Discovering Nai Al-Barghouti from Ramallah

A few months ago, an egyptian friend sent me this clip:

It is a sung version of Mahmoud Darwishs  poem عن إنسان – About a Human.
The voice, the tune, Darwishs eternaly beautiful words left me dumbfounded. I listened to it over and over, and every time, it had me in tears, for the sheer beauty of the music and the poetry.
The most incredible thing about this song would be the voice of the young singer, Nai Al-Barghouti from Ramallah, born in 1996! Yes, that's right! 1996! How on earth a person of such a young age can carry so much wisdom, so much grief and emotion in her voice, is completely beyond me! Darwish is an icon, his poetry belongs to the most beautiful, sophisticated in the world, and yet, Al-Barghouti manages to convince us – the listeners – of her deep understanding of these verses. I am all in awe.
Nai studies classical music and singing in Ramallah, she composes and was already awarded several prizes for her art. Her identity as a Palestinian provides her with inspiration and motivation, she says.
Only yesterday she gave her first ever concert outside of Palestine, in Cairo's beautiful Al-Genina Theatre, and apparently swept the audience off their feet.
If you'd like to experience Nai's wonderful voice outside of Ramallah or Cairo, you can buy this great sampler, called A Time to Cry – Lament over Jerusalem. It includes songs by the equally brilliant Rim Banna, Wissam Murad and Jawaher Shoufani.

The booklet also offers english translation of all the songs.

The translation of the Darwish song you can read here:

Driving in KSA

After the Manal AlSharif case has been closed for some time now, news about women driving in the kingdome have been scarce. Although I keep hearing from friends and family that every once in a while there are women sighted behind the wheel in Jeddah or Riyadh, the public does not seem to care that much anymore. Maybe that is the secret to a soft transition - don't talk so much about it, just do it.

Girls, you have my full respect, wheather you're driving yourself or supporting the campaign from afar! So here's a shout out to all my girls to get behind the wheels of their Audis (or any other vehicle ;-)

Her Story - please support!

Back from summer- and ramadan break, I'd like to start by introducing different art projects that deal with the arab revolution that have shaken up the world.

The first project I'd like to introduce is the amazing indi-film "HerStory" from Egypt. Film makers interviewed women from all walks of life and had them talk about these past months and their personal story from the revolution. We hear the young activist as well as the mother of a tahrir marthyr.

I love the idea of this film and can't wait to see the whole thing. Unfortunately, as all independent art project, money is scarce and the makers need our support. You can simply spread the word by sharing this blog post or their facebook page, or you can donate, just like I have.

I really hope, this inspiring and couragous work of art will get made and will see the light of day soon. Only the people of the revolution can share their story of the revolution with us! so yalla, let them! Thank you all! 

Ramadan Kareem

Arabic Graffiti Exhibit in Berlin

On weekends, I frequently try and catch up with all the arts, fun and leisure, Berlin has to offer. Last weekend, I spent at a Basket Ball game, watching Alba Berlin winning yet another Play-Off match. Nice.
This weekend, I thought I try some art for a change. Luckily, a friend emailed me a link to a great exhibit, which was about to end.
Located in the Hip Hop Stützpunkt (Hip Hop Headquarter) in Berlin Prenzlauer Berg, is the charming, very hidden, but totally amazing common ground gallery. And up until saturday, there was an exhibit with arabic graffiti and street art going on. The show was small and exclusive, but stunning non the less. Young artists from Maghreb, Jordan, Palestine, Libanon showed their work, including pretty recent stuff, reflecting on the Arab Revolution.

As the exhibit is now unfortunately over, you should seriously consider investing in the very pretty, lusciously illustrated book on the exhibit, published by From here to Fame publishing, a company attached to the common ground gallery. It is an english edition, containing loads of interesting texts and introductions on arabic calligraphy, reflections on the state of arab street art and essays on contamporary artists! It's a great read, as well as a beautiful coffee table book with many colourful and exciting photographs!
Next there will be an exhibit on calligraphy at the common ground gallery. So if you happen to be in Berlin, you should drop by and visit!

Support Manal AlSharif!

A couple of weeks ago, I found this article on Jadaliyya, an amazing online magazine on middle eastern affairs. It contained a manifesto which called women in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to stand up and drive their cars, starting june 17^th. Saudi Arabia is the only country in the world where women are not permitted to drive.

The manifesto, the attached movement was founded by young Saudi Manal Alsharif. She posted a video on youtube, set up a Facebook page and started the campaign. The campaign's manifesto states that there is no evidence in the saudi constitution or the Qur'an that women shouldn't be permitted to drive. Lots of women in the kingdom cannot afford to pay a driver, and they are not allowed to ride on public transport.

„Great“, I thought! I'm all for driving, and even more so for the sisters in Saudi Arabia. Let's see what comes out of this!

Then, a few days ago, I read on al Jazeera, that Manal had been detained for launching the campaign. According to al Jazeera, she has been released shortly after, but on the campaign's Facebook page you can read that AlSharif is still in police custody.

To support Manal, please visit the Facebook page, share this article, sign the online petition! Just spread the word! It's just a travesty that a girl who simply wants to drive, with no intention of disrespecting anyone, has to be held in custody!

Some swing to start the weekend

I really love this clip! Enjoy!