Shubbak – A window from contemporary Arab cultures

Khashabi Theatre: MILK A visual performance by Bashar Murkus, Khulood Basel, and the Khashabi Ensemble at Southbank Centre
Shubbak Opening Night with 3IEB and Naf SpaceCelebrate Arab and SWANA fashion and music at Shubbak Festival 2025’s launch
Artist’s Manual Against Apartheid A digital toolkit for artists, cultural worker and anyone dreaming of liberation
Talking Textures A photography exhibition challenging Eurocentric beauty norms, celebrating the diversity of Arab and SWANA hair textures
Support Shubbak Help us reach £10,000
to keep Arab arts alive

Shubbak Festival 2025

مرحبًا بكم!

Welcome!

Shubbak Festival 2025

23 May – 15 June Join us

Across London and beyond

Our Latest Line-Up Drop: More Names, More Surprises

Shubbak Festival 2025

23 May – 15 June Join us

Booking now

Two hands with henna designs are touching against a green cloth background with gold swirl designs

Shubbak Festival 2025 – Opening Night

3EIB in collaboration with Creative Space Beirut & Nol Collective, Trashy Clothing, Nafs Space

Fri 23 May 6.30–11.30pm

Southbank Centre

Fashion · Music ·

Koulounisation

Salim Djaferi

Fri 23 & Sat 24 May 7.30pm

Battersea Arts Centre

Performance · Theatre ·

Painting of two figures in flowing white garments against a dark sky. Their arms are extended gracefully, suggesting movement and a dreamlike quality.

أطراف القرص القمري

Limbs of the Lunar Disc

Sarah Al Sarraj

Fri 23 May – Sun 8 June 12–6pm

Mimosa House

Visual Arts ·

Split image; left side shows oranges and a person in traditional Palestinian attire with "La Palestine" text. Right side depicts an explosion near a building, with smoke and Arabic text conveying urgency.

فن الملصقات الفلسطينية

Art of the Palestinian Poster

Various artists

Fri 23 May – Sat 13 June Various times (Tues–Sat)

P21 Gallery

Visual Arts ·

نافذة على إنترفيرنس

A Window on Interference

Interference

Fri 23 May–Sun 15 June 9pm–5am

Nutford Place, Westminster

Experimental · Visual Arts ·

دليل الفنان ضد الفصل العنصري

An Artist’s Manual Against Apartheid

Farah Chamma & LIEV of chamæleon

24/7

Online

Experimental · Performance ·

3EIB Fashion Pop-up: SWAG from SWANA

3EIB and friends

Sat 24 & Sun 25 May 12–6pm

Southbank Centre

Fashion ·

Khashabi Theatre: MILK مِلْك

Bashar Murkus, Khulood Basel and Khashabi Theatre

Sat 24 & Sun 25 May Various times

Southbank Centre

Theatre ·

إيقاعات سورية

Syrian Rhythms: Where Cultural Heritage Composes the Future

Ettijahat

Sat 24 May Various times

St Ethelburga's Centre for Reconciliation and Peace

Music · Talks & Workshops · Visual Arts ·

Two dancers perform passionately in dim lighting, with one supporting the other in an expressive pose. Their muscles glisten, conveying strength and grace.

الحبُّ خلف عينيّ

The Love Behind My Eyes

Ali Chahrour

Sat 24 & Wed 28 May 8pm

The Lowry, The Place

Performance ·

لأجل فلسطين موسيقي الپَنك

Punks for Palestine

Real Life Presents

Mon 26 May 2–10.30pm

New Cross Inn

Music ·

Application 39 (for the 2048 Gaza Summer Olympics)

Ahmed Masoud

Mon 26 May–Sun 1 June Various times

Theatro Technis

Theatre ·

بيس ده رزستانس

Peace de Resistance

Sami Abu Wardeh

Mon 26, Tues 27 & Sat 31 May 8.30pm

Theatro Technis

Theatre ·

من ظلال شجر التوت، لتحلّق حرّاً

Enter the Mulberry Tree and Fly Free

Showcasing works from an array of artists

Tue 27 May – Mon 9 June 10am–4pm

Grand Junction

Visual Arts ·

Three men sit on the ground near a boat, one holding a cup, surrounded by wooden crates and a hazy, overcast sky.

غزة تبقى القصة

Gaza Remains The Story

The Palestinian Museum

Tue 27 May – Tue 3 June 10am–4pm

Grand Junction

Visual Arts ·

انهض حبيبي

Rise, Habibi

Various Artists

Wed 28 May–Sun 15 June 10am–5pm

The Crypt Gallery

Experimental · Visual Arts ·

Six people in black clothing perform animatedly against a dark background, showcasing expressive poses and faces, conveying a dramatic and playful tone.

العودة إلى فلسطين

Return to Palestine

The Freedom Theatre

Wed 28 May – Sun 1 June Various times

Theatro Technis

Performance · Theatre ·

A diverse group of six people sit around a table engaged in a collaborative discussion. Papers and markers are on the table, indicating a focused, productive atmosphere.

.تعانق. صوت جماعي. العثور على جذورنا في الشتات

Embrace: A Collective Voice – Finding Roots in the Diaspora

Noria Collective

Thu 29 May 6-8pm

The Africa Centre

Talks & Workshops ·

Close-up of a child's face partially covered by a black-and-white patterned scarf, against a blurred yellow floral background. The child's eyes look thoughtful.

Home – Family Theatre Performance

A production by Shubbak and Grand Junction

Fri 30 May Various times

Grand Junction

Family · Theatre ·

troupe of dancers and musicians performing in Arabic dress

Manjal

Tarweedeh Collective - Nabad

Fri 30 May 8.30pm

Theatro Technis

Performance ·

يوم من الكتابة، والحوار مع مجلة المركز ريفيو

Writing from the Centre of the World

The Markaz Review

Sat 31 May 10.30am–5.30pm

Arab British Centre

Talks & Workshops ·

Limbs of the Lunar Disc: Stories from the Satellite Dish – Book Launch and Q&A

Sarah Al Sarraj

Sat 31 May 5–6:30pm

Mimosa House

Talks & Workshops · Visual Arts ·

عدّة طرق للتحرك

So Many Ways to Move

chamæleon

Sat 31 May 7–10pm

Kunstraum

Music · Performance ·

نَسْج السرديات

Marking Narratives with Issam Kourbaj

Shubbak and ACAVA present Issam Kourbaj

Sun 1 June 1pm

ACAVA

Talks & Workshops · Visual Arts ·

Kawkab Bashar

Bashar Murad, Etaf, Howie B.

Sun 1 June 7.30pm

Notting Hill Arts Club

Music ·

Close-up of a person with eyes closed, showcasing defined, symmetrical curly hair parted down the middle. The monochrome tones create a serene and introspective mood.

خصلٌ تهمس قصصاً

Talking Textures

Yasemin Hassan

Mon 2 Jun - Sun 7 Sept All day

Coal Drops Yard

Visual Arts ·

Three performers on a dimly lit stage strike expressive dance poses, conveying intensity and emotion. A beam of light highlights the central figure.

رحلات ابن بطوطة

Ibn Batuta’s Travels

A Shubbak and Seenaryo co-production

Wed 4 & Thu 5 June 7.30pm

Grand Junction

Theatre ·

نَظَر

Nazar

Lara Habib Kobeissi

Across June Various times

LADA Live Art Development Agency

Experimental ·

A group of four individuals in casual black t-shirts sitting on a blue sofa, exuding a relaxed and stylish vibe.

صدى - موسيقا من فلسطين

SADA صدى (Echo) – Music from Palestine

DAM, Rola Azar, Dana Salah

Fri 6 June 7.30pm

Barbican

Music ·

المشهد

The Scene Between

Saliah

Fri 6 & Sat 7 June 11pm

Village Underground

Music ·

من الشفاه إلى القمر

From The Lips To The Moon

Pouya Ehsaei, Tara Fatehi

Sat 7 June 8pm

Grand Junction

Music · Performance ·

حوارات مجتمعية في البلدية

Townhall Talks By Young Shubbak

Young Shubbak

Tue 10 June 4-10pm

Kiln Theatre

Family · Talks & Workshops · Visual Arts ·

من اجل السودان

For Sudan

Various

Tue 10 June 7pm

Grand Junction

Music · Performance · Talks & Workshops ·

Maqam Editions Presents Al-Mu’allaqat

Maqam Editions

Thur 12 June 5–8pm

Grand Junction

Literature · Music · Visual Arts ·

Talks to Reframe the Arab World Presented by afikra | عفكرة

Shubbak and Afikra Live

Thur 12 June 7.30pm

Rich Mix

Talks & Workshops ·

Bare feet dangle playfully from a wooden structure, with a background of autumn trees and fallen leaves, conveying a carefree, whimsical mood.

ذاكرة الطيور

Memory of Birds

Tania El Khoury

Fri 13–Sun 15 June 9am–5pm

Richmond Arts and Ideas Festival

Experimental ·

A woman with long dark hair stands on stage, holding a wicker suitcase. Arabic text is projected onto her and the wall, creating a dramatic and contemplative atmosphere.

لغة لا مشكلة

Language: no Broblem

Marah Haj Hussein

Fri 13, Sat 14 & Tue 17 June 7.30pm

Battersea Arts Centre, Bradford 2025

Theatre ·

سراب

Sarab by the Palestinian Circus School

The Palestine Circus School

Sat 14 June 10am–4pm

Jacksons Lane Arts Centre

Performance ·

نصير شمّا

Naseer Shamma

Presented by Barbican & MARSM

Sun 15 June 7.30pm

Barbican Centre

Music ·

Support Shubbak: Keep Arab Arts, Culture, and Voices Alive – Help Us Reach £10,000

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