Winner of the Fedora Prize for Opera 2020

Blog 19 Nov 2020

We are delighted that Woman at Point Zero has won the Fedora - Generali Prize for Opera 2020.

Connections | Digital Dance Project

Blog 10 Nov 2020

Connections Digital Dance Project film released. Watch it in full here.

Join Young Shubbak

Opportunities 29 Oct 2020

Join Young Shubbak, our collective of 17–21 year old creatives.

Shubbak awarded £75,000 as part of the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund

News 12 Oct 2020

Shubbak awarded vital funds from the Culture Relief Fund.

Rand Abdul Jabbar | Residency

Blog 25 Sep 2020

Rand Abdul Jabbar residency at Grand Junction

Mehdi Anassi | Kensington & Chelsea Art Week

Blog 24 Sep 2020

Mehdi Anassi's mural features in KCAW 1–11 October

Arab Art in Focus | The Future of Cultural Festivals

News 2 Sep 2020

Shubbak's Artistic Director joins a panel of cultural leaders for a webinar looking at the future of cultural festivals.

Connections | Dance Project

Opportunities 2 Sep 2020

Sign up for outdoor workshops with Ben Fury as part of Connections, a new dance project.

Young Shubbak raise $1,500 for Theatre Relief Group Lebanon

News 1 Sep 2020

Young Shubbak raise over $1,500 for Theatre Relief Group Lebanon

Vacancy | Head of Operations

Opportunities 26 Aug 2020

We are looking for a results driven senior manager.

Raffle for Theatre Relief in Lebanon

News 16 Aug 2020

Young Shubbak's raffle for theatre relief in Lebanon

In solidarity with Beirut

Blog 6 Aug 2020

Donate to help the people of Beirut.

Workshops with Rand Abdul Jabbar

Opportunities 15 Jul 2020

A new workshop series for women from Iraq and MIddle Eastern countries led by artist Rand Abdul Jabbar.

Digital Dance Workshops

Opportunities 23 Jun 2020

A new digital dance project for young people led by choreographer Ben Fury.

Black Lives Matter

Blog 8 Jun 2020

Black Lives Matter | A statement from Shubbak.

A message to our supporters

Blog 8 Jun 2020

Shubbak is working at a reduced capacity during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Reflections on Home

Blog 5 Jun 2020

Riwa Saab from Young Shubbak reflects on what home means.

Young Shubbak meets Elhum Shakerifar

Blog 5 Jun 2020

Young Shubbak meets film producer Elhum Shakerifar

Friday Hangout with Young Shubbak

Blog 5 Jun 2020

Arab British Centre's Friday Hangout with artists from Bayti Baytek and Young Shubbak producer Layla Madanet.

Bayti Baytek | Studies on a Comfort Pillow

Blog 16 May 2020

Bayti Baytek | Studies on a Comfort Pillow An online collaboration by Joe Namy and Nour Annan.

Bayti Baytek | Ball of Kitchen Games and Showers

Blog 16 May 2020

Bayti Baytek | The Ball of Kitchen Games and Showers An online collaboration by Enkidu Khaled and Nada Elkalaawy

Bayti Baytek | A Space in Time

Blog 16 May 2020

Bayti Baytek | A Space in Time An online collaboration by Reem Karssli and Doha Aboelezz

Bayti Baytek

Blog 15 May 2020

Bayti Baytek (My Home, Your Home) Three virtual collaborations taking inspiration from spaces within a home.

Bayti Baytek | Meet the Artists #3

Blog 15 May 2020

Meet our final Bayti Baytek artist pairing Reem Karssli and Doha Aboelezz

Bayti Baytek | Meet the Artists #2

Blog 14 May 2020

Meet Enkidu Khaled and Nada Elkalaawy our second Bayti Baytek artist pairing

Bayti Baytek | Meet the Artists #1

Blog 14 May 2020

We're happy to announce our first collaboration pairing of Joe Namy and Nour Annan, after an incredible response to the…

Open Call | Bayti Baytek

Opportunities 1 May 2020

Young Shubbak are pleased to announce an open call for their first virtual collaboration initiative Bayti Baytek. 18-25 year old…

Shubbak playlist | Maps the World

Blog 15 Apr 2020

In these challenging times, music has a positive effect. It can calm us down during times of anxiety, remind us…

Covid-19 support | Emergency Funding Measures

News 6 Apr 2020

It is clear that the number one priority of Arts Council England, Creative Scotland, Arts Council of Northern Ireland and…

North Star Project

News 3 Apr 2020

We’re really pleased to be part of the North Star Project. The New Diorama Theatre has put together a group…

Thawra, She Said | Cancelled

News 6 Feb 2020

It is with a heavy heart that we communicate the cancellation of our Young Shubbak and AWAN event Thawra, She Said on…

Assistant Producer Intern Opportunity

Opportunities 3 Feb 2020

We’re really excited to be able to offer a paid part-time Assistant Producer Internship opportunity here at Shubbak, to start…

Young Shubbak present Other Love

News 30 Jan 2020

Join us for an evening of poetry, live music DJs and dancing, to see Lyric Hammersmith’s Evolution 2020 festival out…

Watch highlights from the 2019 Festival

Blog 1 Dec 2019

We're really pleased to be able to share with you our 2019 highlights film. Watch it now...

The making of a mural

Interviews 21 Nov 2019

Get an insight into Mehdi Annassi’s process for his Shubbak 2019 public mural commission on St Mark’s Road, Ladbroke Grove...

SHUBBAK IS HIRING!…

Opportunities 18 Nov 2019

Are you ready to take your next leap? If so, we have a couple of new posts which may be…

Young Advisors Opportunity

Opportunities 20 Sep 2019

Are you aged 16-25 and want to be part of an international multi-arts festival? Become a Shubbak Young Advisor. Get…

Syrian Artists Create – Report

Blog 10 Jul 2019

More than 5 million Syrians have left the country since 2011, with the vast majority initially arriving in the neighbouring…

Eckhard Thiemann interview

#HumansofShubbak 25 Jun 2019

Read the latest #HumansofShubbak interview with our artistic director Eckhard Thiemann

Mehdi Annassi interview

#HumansofShubbak 16 Jun 2019

Shubbak talks to Moroccan visual artist Mehdi Annassi in the third of our #HumansofShubbak mini interviews

Najwa Aarras interview

#HumansofShubbak 14 Jun 2019

Shubbak talks to Taekwondo champion & acrobat Najwa Aarras, member of Moroccan acrobatic collective Groupe Acrobatique de Tanger

Shubbak appoints Farès K Moussa as new Executive Director

News 12 Jun 2019

Shubbak is very pleased to announce the appointment of Farès K Moussa as new executive director replacing Daniel Gorman who…

Tania Saleh interview

#HumansofShubbak 3 May 2019

Shubbak talks to Lebanese singer-songwriter Tania Saleh – the first in our new series of mini interviews

Watch the 2019 Festival trailer

Blog 1 May 2019

Get a taste of our extraordinary festival of contemporary Arab culture taking place across London this summer

Shubbak Festival to receive 2018 UNESCO Sharjah Prize for Arab Culture

News 10 Apr 2019

The Shubbak Festival of Contemporary Arab Culture and the Samandal Association, a collective of comic book artists from the Arab…

Shubbak seeks a Trustee Treasurer to join our board

Opportunities 8 Apr 2019

Role Title: Trustee Treasurer of Shubbak: A Window on Contemporary Arab Culture Location: Shubbak, LondonSalary: UnpaidStart date: As soon as possible Deadline for Applications:…

Volunteer at Shubbak Festival

Opportunities 26 Mar 2019

DThe deadline for this opportunity has passed. We will contact applicants soon. For any questions please email yasmeen@shubbak.co.uk Do you…

Hey North Kensington, do you have a story to tell?

Opportunities 25 Mar 2019

  Are you into mural painting and graffiti? Can you visualize your identity? How would you define home? Are you…

Shubbak Festival 2019

Blog 1 Mar 2019

Shubbak returns this summer with events taking place across London from 28 June–14 July 2019. Early events are booking now.

Shubbak seeks an Evaluation Consultant

Opportunities 28 Jan 2019

Shubbak, the UK’s largest festival of contemporary Arab culture, seeks tenders for an external Evaluation Consultant to focus on our…

Talks and Workshops with Aïcha El Beloui and Mehdi Annassi

News 23 Nov 2018

We are excited to reveal some forthcoming events with Aïcha El Beloui and Mehdi Annassi, two award-winning artists from the…

We’re hiring – Shubbak seeks a Marketing Manager

Opportunities 12 Nov 2018

Job Title: Marketing Manager of Shubbak: A Window on Contemporary Arab Culture Location: Shubbak, London Reports to: Executive Director and…

Kareem Samara, Kids on the Green and Salusbury World

Blog 24 Sep 2018

Explore Ladbroke Grove and Queens Park through the eyes and ears of the children who live there. This inspiring project…

Review: Shift Exhibition at the Mosaic Rooms (Flavia Malusardi)

Blog 12 Oct 2017

  Review by Flavia Malusardi of Shift Exhibition at the Mosaic Rooms, which was part of Shubbak 2017. Shift, part…

Watch highlights from 2017

Blog 11 Oct 2017

For 16 days in the summer of 2017, Shubbak showcased work from over 130 artists, across 70 events to an…

Rasha Abbas – The Sword and Sheath

Blog 30 Aug 2017

The Sword and Sheath By Rasha Abbas Translated by Elisabeth Jaquette There was no other woman I knew who could…

It’s a wrap!

Blog 2 Aug 2017

It’s a wrap! 16 days across more than 30 venues, with over 70 events and more than 150 artists –…

Shubbak 2017 in pictures

Blog 1 Aug 2017

As Shubbak’s 2017 Festival draws to a close, we’re looking back and remembering a few of our favourite moments from…

Edinburgh Festivals 2017

Blog 6 Jul 2017

Shubbak is delighted to be partnering on two events at the Edinburgh Festivals this August. Forever Arab? explores the reception…

Modern Poetry in Translation

Blog 3 Jul 2017

Modern Poetry in Translation’s summer issue A Blossom Shroud focuses on poets and translators associated with Shubbak 2017 and it…

Tarek Yamani Trio @KingsPlace – Review

Blog 3 Jul 2017

Following his show @KingsPlace, London, I met with Tarek Yamani to discuss his career so far, his latest album, and…

Tania Saleh & Cairokee – review

Blog 3 Jul 2017

Lebanon’s Tania Saleh and Egypt’s Cairokee launched Shubbak and MARSM’s music programme with an exciting and emotional journey through the…

Interviewing Najwa Benshatwan

Interviews 2 Jul 2017

Interviewing Najwa Benshatwan: The Libyan female author ‘Under The Radar’ speaks to Nahla Al-Ageli for Shubbak An ugly shadow side…

King of Cups – Rasha Abbas

Interviews 1 Jul 2017

I shuffle the deck of tarot cards and deal three of them onto the table. The first one has a…

Nahla Al-Ageli Interviews Saleem Haddad About ‘Guapa’

Interviews 21 Jun 2017

For Shubbak, Nahla Al-Ageli reviews Saleem Haddad’s ‘Guapa’ and interviews the author before he participates in the Literature Programme Living…

Professional Visitors Programme

News 2 Jun 2017

SHUBBAK FESTIVAL // 1 – 16 July 2017 // PROFESSIONAL VISITORS PROGRAMME SHUBBAK (meaning ‘window’ in Arabic) is London’s largest biennial…

Watch Shubbak’s 2017 festival programme launch

Blog 3 May 2017

Watch the Shubbak 2017 Festival programme announced live on Facebook on 3 May 2017, as journalist Bidisha interviews Artistic Director…

Comics & Cartoon Art From the Arab World

Blog 28 Apr 2017

Explore the art, history and significance of Arab comics, cartoons, caricatures and graphic novels through original examples taken from the…

Taha

Blog 28 Apr 2017

A lyrical story of the life of Palestinian poet Taha Muhammad Ali, written and performed by Amer Hlehel. “With this…

Volunteers – We Need You!

Opportunities 13 Apr 2017

Now in its fourth edition, Shubbak festival returns this summer from 1– 16 July 2017, with the best of contemporary…

Watch the 2017 Festival trailer

Blog 1 Apr 2017

Watch the Shubbak festival trailer. Over 150 artists from across the Arab world at venues across London, 1–16 July 2017

Shubbak 2017 dates announced

News 15 Mar 2017

Shubbak Festival dates announced: 1 – 16 July 2017 Shubbak has become a key moment in the arts calendar of…

Khaled Kurbeh and Raman Khalef at the BBC Arabic Festival

Blog 10 Feb 2017

Sounds from the Syrian diaspora: Khaled Kurbeh and Raman Khalaf performed recently in London at the launch of the BBC…

Performance(s) between two shores – selected projects

Blog 8 Nov 2016

We’re delighted to announce the selected projects for Performance(s) between two shores عروض بين شاطئي. After the jury’s deliberation in…

Shift – Women artists from Saudi Arabia

Blog 1 Oct 2016

Negotiating Space is the UK’s first all women show of artists from Saudi Arabia. Featuring Dana Awartani, Reem al-Nasser and…

New commissions from Syrian artists

Blog 12 Jul 2016

Shubbak is proud to announce a new programme to support Syrian artists through commissioning the creation of new work from…

Maha’s Music Show – Shubbak 2015

Blog 26 Oct 2015

Shubbak was delighted to be covered by Maha’s Music Show on K2K Radio. Maha’s Music Show mixes Arabic music and…

Watch Shubbak 2015 highlights

Blog 13 Oct 2015

Shubbak 2015 showcased work by over 130 artists across 70 events in more than 40 venues, to a total audience…

Shubbak 2015 in pictures

Blog 3 Aug 2015

As Shubbak’s 2015 Festival draws to a close, we’re looking back and remembering a few of our favourite moments from…

The Mix: Introducing our Music Maestros

Blog 24 Jul 2015

Described as “possibly the biggest Arab musical event of 2015”, The Mix is set to be a show-stopping finale as…

Karama – Dignity through Music: An Interview with Soufian Saihi

Blog 21 Jul 2015

In this interview Soufian Saihi, founder of the band Karama who will be playing at the Shubbak Festival’s musical finale…

Shubbak Literature Festival

Blog 20 Jul 2015

On Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 July 2015, the British Library will host the Shubbak Literature Festival as part of…

A Homage to Michel Khleifi: Review of Forbidden Marriages in the Holy Land

Blog 17 Jul 2015

“The holy sites here are this country’s identity but they are also its curse,” says playwright Yehoshua Sobol, “Religion does…

D-Sisyphe / décisif: Constructing a Better Future for Tunisia

Blog 16 Jul 2015

D-Sisyphe (pronounced as in the French ‘décisif’, meaning ‘decisive’ in English) is an important piece of performance, both as a…

Behind the Scenes: A Selection of Arab Theatre

Blog 16 Jul 2015

This year’s Shubbak Festival offers a selection of Arab theatre works from the sublime to the ridiculous including comedy Love,…

An Interview with Masasit Mati of Top Goon

Interviews 15 Jul 2015

Holding up a Mirror to the International Community In this interview with the Shubbak Blog, Masasit Mati talk about their…

When The Arabs Used to Dance: A Celebration of the Past and a Warning for the Future

Blog 14 Jul 2015

When the Arabs Used to Dance is a somewhat contradictory title for a dance performance, using the past tense for…

Arab Feminist Voices

Blog 13 Jul 2015

Razor Sharp showcases three pieces of new writing by Arab women. The title can be taken to refer to an…

A Collaborative Home Video for ‘Shahba’: An Interview with Hello Psychaleppo

Interviews 13 Jul 2015

In this interview, Samer Saem Eldahr (aka Hello Psychaleppo) talks about his new video for Shubbak entitled Shahba; his upcoming…

A Dream-like Nightmare and a Painful Joy: An Interview with Badke

Interviews 13 Jul 2015

The Shubbak blog caught up with Badke’s dramaturg Hildegard De Vuyst ahead of their performance at the Southbank Centre on…

Shubbak ‘In-Situ’ – The Middle East: Coming to a Street Near You…

Blog 10 Jul 2015

This church is in Syria. And this book warehouse is in Iraq. Don’t believe us? It’s true – from 11–26…

The Art of Imagineering: An Interview with Khalid Shafar

Interviews 8 Jul 2015

Khalid Shafar is a pioneer of Emirati design. Born in Dubai, the American University in Dubai business graduate studied furniture…

Forming a Harmonious Collective: Zahed Sultan Discusses his Barbican Residency

Interviews 8 Jul 2015

The multimedia artist Zahed Sultan on his upcoming live set especially created for the Barbican Art Gallery as part of Doug…

From the Soul and the Heart: An Interview with Karima Skalli

Interviews 7 Jul 2015

One of the first events for the Shubbak Festival, and the opening event for the festival’s music programme at the…

An Awakening

Interviews 1 Jul 2015

Sevan K. Greene on his play Nahda, whose characters are modern Middle-Easterners from the real world Nahda is an interesting…

Kissing Amnesia: the work of Raed Yassin

Blog 24 Jun 2015

The work of Lebanese multimedia artist Raed Yassin relates to mass media, pop culture, urban life and history – themes…

Brewing ideas for Shubbak

Blog 12 Jun 2015

Playwright Hannah Khalil reflects on writing for the 2015 festival Everyone knows the writer’s enemy – more than enemy, horror…

Shubbak 2015 – First events now on sale

News 2 Mar 2015

We’re delighted to announce our first events of Shubbak 2015! The Asil Ensemble with Karima Skalli opens our music programme…

Open call: expressions of interest

Opportunities 16 May 2014

The third Shubbak festival of contemporary Arab culture will be held across London from 11?26 July 2015. The programme is…

ArtLyst: Shubbak Festival announces London Third Edition

Press 16 Sep 2013

“The second edition of Shubbak, A Window on Contemporary Arab Culture, featuring artists from Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon,…