Violence is in Fatima Bhutto’s family history. Her father was in exile after a military junta executed her grandfather, Pakistan’s first democratically elected head of state. Though the political influence of her family, she decided to turn her back on politics and to write. Her novel ‘The Runaways’ traces the path of three youngsters who end up in a jihadist camp in Mosul. I spoke with her about what the West does not understand about radicalisation and the solution toRead More
The Berlin label owner and DJ Jannis Stürtz republished old Arabic radio music on his small record label Habibi Funk. A conversation about postcolonialism in Beirut, where he plays gigs regularly. The interview was published by the German Daily taz and can be read here in German.
In Cairo and Beirut, female comic artists are drawing characters far beyond bold stereotypes. Meet Deena, Farida and Rawand, who illustrate stories about depression, men in need of emotional support, women dancing on the moon and a superheroine who does not have to care about economy. The radio feature was aired in German on Deutschlandfunk Kultur.
Property speculation in Beirut is forcing tenants out of their homes and displacing fishermen from the port. Therefore, activists are fighting for their right to the city, access to beaches and parcs.
Van Number 4 became a socio-cultural phenomena in Beirut, cheap and fast transportation for students, doctors and shoeshiners. A city portrait along No 4’s route – through noisy hamra, busy basta al tahta, artificial bird sounds in downtown and real bird’s twittering in Horsh Beirut. Listen to the radio portrait here.
Jackhammer and cement, cranes and concrete slabs: in Beirut, skyscrapers are rising, obstructing the Mediterranean view. Land ist privatized, laws attract profit-seeking investors; rents are rising, living becomes unaffordable. A fisherman, a professor, an activist and real estate developer about their fight for the right to the city – a fight for public spaces, affordable housing and access to the sea. Read More
Old men telling myths and stories in cafés – that has been once upon a time: The tradition of the hakawati, storytellers, died out. In Lebanon it revives, with new topics, stories and female storytellers.
Alexandre Paulikevitch dances naked or in cloth closely curving around his body. In Lebanon he dances Baladi, a dance which is seen as traditional female.
Leila Hassan’s life and sound is a collage. Her father is Egyptian, her mother German-Czech; her sound is a mixtape of Language and Tones. Julia Neumann met her underneath rustling leaves and the blowing wind in Berlin, where she lives.
In Beirut, a small group of Musicians makes noise and is questioned if they worship satan. Arrested in later days, Heavy Metal Bands are involved socially today – also in politics.
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