The epic oral traditions of storytelling in the Arab world continue to survive and evolve through transmission and performance, informing Arabic literature and influencing storytelling throughout the world - including in Australia. The stories - hikayat - are threads that connect the past with the present. A continual weaving of hikayat through generations of storytellers forms a rich tapestry of embodied experience in the literature it creates. Beginning with Lebanese hawker migrations in the early years of the 20th century, and continuing with recent arrivals from various Arab countries, Arabs have woven their experiences and stories into Queensland’s multicultural history. Communities and people are connected by shared markers of language, ethnicity and custom. And also stories - hikayat.

Join us, hear from and contribute to discussion alongside a panel of academics, artists and community activists seeking to trace the hidden journeys of Australia’s own hikayat by sharing, reminiscing, speaking about their own personal and familial experiences. The panel seeks to situate and create a space for critical reflection of diasporic Arab stories and histories within local and transnational contexts.

Speakers:

• Dr. Paula Abood - Academic/Community Development Artist & Activist
• Dr. Anne Monsour - Australian Lebanese Historical Society
• Phil Monsour - Artist & Activist
• Ghenwa Kassrawi - Journalist, Radio 4EB Arabic Program
• Farid Farid - Academic, Performer and Writer

• Date: Saturday 21 November, 2009
• Venue: InTransit Gallery (Ground Floor, Portside Wharf, Remora Road, Hamilton QLD)
• Time: 5-6.30pm
• Cost: Free event

click on image to download the flier.

More information contact Mouna on 02 9897 5744 ext 2 or email mouna.zaylah@ice.org.au

Presented in conjunction with the Arab Film Festival and in partnership with Dendy Portside. Sponsored by Byblos Bar and Bistro. Special thanks to Portside Wharf.