Registrations Open: Voices from Palestine and Lebanon on 31 July

For many of us, summer is a time to slow down and step back - but it can also be a moment to engage more thoughtfully, to listen more deeply. We invite you to hold space, keep attention, and stay connected. 

Registrations are open for our 4th Voices From session, taking place on Thursday, 31 July, at 3 PM CEST in which we welcome Rula Khoury and Muhannad Hariri to speak about their work in the context of today's world. 

Rula Khoury is an art curator, historian, and critic based in Haifa. She holds Master’s degrees in Art History (Haifa University) and Art Criticism (School of Visual Arts, New York).  Rula was the General Director of the Arab Culture Association in Haifa and the director of Khalil Sakakini Culture Center. Her curating experience includes curating locally and internationally, Biannales and street exhibitions. Published critic pieces for Independent Online Art Magazine, Tohu Magazine and Tribe Photo Magazine, as well as published two books for children one was a collaboration with Barjeel Foundation. She has also been an instructor and advisor in higher education institutions, the history of Palestinian art. And now establishing a new art gallery in Jaffa “Al-Tahonah” as well as part of The Lost Paintings project, which uses art to confront cultural erasure and ongoing violence in Palestine.

Muhannad Hariri is a Lebanese interdisciplinary writer and teacher who is currently finishing a PhD in Dublin. The subject of their dissertation is the concept of evil in Kant’s Philosophy of Religion. Muhannad’s research on evil extends beyond Kant to various 20th century thinkers. Since Oct. 7th, 2023, Muhannad has been posting about the Genocide in Gaza and other related issues. This daily practice manifested over the last year in several interrelated forms ranging from detailed descriptions of violent imagery to short philosophical reflections on politics, violence, technology, and climate catastrophe.

Voices From is an online series run by The Festival Academy. The series was born out of the Sharing Places Lab in Blanca, Spain - where an array of cultural workers from the Mediterranean and SWANA region were brought together to contemplate the design of a solidarity network. It is led voluntarily by a working group of Alumni who took part in this Lab. 

The series acts as an open space to listen to artists of all disciplines, festival makers and other cultural workers to gain a deeper understanding of the context surrounding the current situation in regions that face conflict, and to explore how art can challenge dominant narratives, promote understanding, and strengthen resilience.

The 90-minute session is curated and moderated by Christina Skarpari (Artist, Designer Curator/Researcher, Founder and Creative Director, Xarkis NGO, Cyprus).

The event is based on registration and free of charge!

To participate, please register by filling out this form.

More information here.