São Paulo –Brasília’s National Library will host, between September 22nd and 27th, a special programme devoted to Middle East and North Africa culture and politics. During this period, the Federation of Arab-Brazilian Organizations (Fearab) will organize a photo exhibit, screenings of films, lectures and workshops about Middle East and North Africa countries.
The photo exhibit “Arab presence in Brazil through images” (free translation) features pictures taken by Brazilians who may or may not descend from Arabs. The images show their impressions about Arab countries and culture. The photos portray Arab dishes and architecture, households and immigration.
The films which will be screened at the event were part of a film festival held in Florianopolis last March. The presentations will include Eastern dances, derbake (a typical instrument used in Arab music) and belly dance. Some of the performances will be followed by workshops.
All days of the event will have a panel and a showcase of the books “Arab music: expressivity and subtlety,” by Marcia Dib, and “Travelling to Iraq,” by Claudia Falluh Balduino (free translations). The first panel, on the 22nd, will touch on the Palestinian issue. On the 23rd, the theme will be Syria. “Syrian-Lebanese migration to Brazil” will be the theme in the 24th. On the last day of the event, the forum “The influence of media on the creation of the Arab image” (free translation) will be held. Some of these attractions will have a special “flavor”: the event organizers and restaurants in the Federal District should offer typical dishes to the public at least once a day.
According to the Fearab America council adviser, Patrícia El-Moor, organizing the Arab week is one of the Federation’s initiatives to showcase the culture and history of Arab countries to the population.
“The Fearab wants to renew, to reach a younger age group and attract professionals and students. The Arab world will always be in the news and it always attracts people’s interest, as they want to go beyond what they read on the newspapers,” said Patrícia. She says a new management took over the Fearab América in late 2013 and one of the goals is to establish closer ties between the organization and society.
All activities will be free of charge, but visitors must arrive early in order to pick up tickets. The events will be held at Brasília’s National Library auditorium and in the auditorium’s foyer. Between September 25th and 27th, the Fearab will also organize the Extraordinary Pan-American Arab Congress, at Brasília’s National Library.
Service
First Arab week Fearab Brasil
From September 22nd to 27th
Venue: Brasília’s National Library – Culture Sector South, lot 2
Photographic exhibit “Arab Presence in Brazil through images”, from Monday to Friday, 8am to 7.45pm and, on weekends, from 8am to 2pm, at the Exhibition Hall, on the 1st floor.
Information and programme on the website: http://www.fearab.net/home/ (in Portuguese)
*Translated by Rodrigo Mendonça
