During the first event of our Shubbak Festival x afikra Roundtable Series we talked to Eckhard Thiemann (Shubbak CEO & Festival Artistic Director), Taghrid Choucair Vizoso (Senior Programmer & Festival Producer) & Riwa Saab (member of the Young Shubbak group) about the history of the festival taking place again this year on the 20th of June, 2021. Moderated by: Mikey Muhanna, afikra Founder & Executive Director. Edited by: Ramzi Ramman Theme music by Tarek Yamani About the Shubba...
Jun 13, 2021•55 min•Ep. 115
We talked to Kamal Dib about his work as a scholar and professor of political and economic studies. We also talked about his numerous books and much more! Created & Hosted by Mikey Muhanna , afikra Edited by: Ramzi Ramman Theme music by: Tarek Yamani https://www.instagram.com/tarek_yamani/ About the afikra Conversations: Our long-form interview series features academics, arts, and media experts who are helping document and/or shape the history and culture of the Arab world through their wo...
Jun 09, 2021•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 114
Visualizing Palestine creates data-driven tools to advance a factual, rights-based narrative of the Palestinian-Israeli issue. We talked to the Visualizing Palestine team on their work telling factual, data-driven & rights-based narratives about Palestine & the occupation. Created & Hosted by Mikey Muhanna , afikra Edited by: Ramzi Ramman Theme music by: Tarek Yamani https://www.instagram.com/tarek_yamani/ About the afikra Conversations: Our long-form interview series features academ...
Jun 08, 2021•54 min•Ep. 113
In this conversation, we discussed Bahia Shehab's works as a multidisciplinary artist, designer, political activist, and historian whose work focuses on the interaction and intersection of modern identity and ancient cultural heritage. Created & Hosted by Mikey Muhanna , afikra Edited by: Ramzi Ramman Theme music by: Tarek Yamani https://www.instagram.com/tarek_yamani/ About the afikra Conversations: Our long-form interview series features academics, arts, and media experts who are helping ...
Jun 02, 2021•52 min•Ep. 112
We talked to Zeina Hashem Beck about her poetry and the variety of topics it covers (Arab culture, home, exile, family narratives, language, the body, love, and faith). Created & Hosted by Mikey Muhanna , afikra Edited by: Ramzi Ramman Theme music by: Tarek Yamani https://www.instagram.com/tarek_yamani/ About the afikra Conversations: Our long-form interview series features academics, arts, and media experts who are helping document and/or shape the history and culture of the Arab world thr...
May 31, 2021•54 min•Ep. 111
In this conversation, we talked to Dr. Huda AbiFares about her experience as the founding director of the Khatt Foundation. She specializes in multilingual typographic research and design and works as a curator, writer, designer, and publisher. Created & Hosted by Mikey Muhanna , afikra Edited by: Ramzi Ramman Theme music by: Tarek Yamani https://www.instagram.com/tarek_yamani/ About the afikra Conversations: Our long-form interview series features academics, arts, and media experts who are...
May 26, 2021•54 min•Ep. 110
We talked to Suja Sawafta about exile and ecocriticism at the Franco-Arab intersection. Created & Hosted by Mikey Muhanna , afikra Edited by: Ramzi Ramman Theme music by: Tarek Yamani https://www.instagram.com/tarek_yamani/ About the afikra Conversations: Our long-form interview series features academics, arts, and media experts who are helping document and/or shape the history and culture of the Arab world through their work. Our hope is that by having the guest share their expertise and ...
May 20, 2021•54 min•Ep. 109
We discussed Rashid Khalidi's work as an editor of the Journal of Palestine Studies, as the President of the Middle East Studies Association, and as an advisor to the Palestinian delegation to the Madrid and Washington Arab-Israeli peace negotiations. Created & Hosted by Mikey Muhanna , afikra Edited by: Ramzi Ramman Theme music by: Tarek Yamani https://www.instagram.com/tarek_yamani/ About the afikra Conversations: Our long-form interview series features academics, arts, and media experts ...
May 20, 2021•58 min•Ep. 108
In this conversation, we talked to Dana Sajdi about the history, societies, and cultures of the pre-modern Eastern Mediterranean (the Levant, Egypt, and Turkey). Created & Hosted by Mikey Muhanna , afikra Edited by: Ramzi Ramman Theme music by: Tarek Yamani https://www.instagram.com/tarek_yamani/ About the afikra Conversations: Our long-form interview series features academics, arts, and media experts who are helping document and/or shape the history and culture of the Arab world through th...
May 18, 2021•52 min•Ep. 107
We talked to David Wrisley about late medieval court culture, Mediterranean studies, multilingual corporate analysis, and the spatial humanities. Created & Hosted by Mikey Muhanna , afikra Edited by: Ramzi Ramman Theme music by: Tarek Yamani https://www.instagram.com/tarek_yamani/ About the afikra Conversations: Our long-form interview series features academics, arts, and media experts who are helping document and/or shape the history and culture of the Arab world through their work. Our h...
May 12, 2021•57 min•Ep. 106
We talked to Dr. Akram Khater about his work as a professor of history, and as the director of the Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies. Created & Hosted by Mikey Muhanna , afikra Edited by: Ramzi Ramman Theme music by: Tarek Yamani https://www.instagram.com/tarek_yamani/ About the afikra Conversations: Our long-form interview series features academics, arts, and media experts who are helping document and/or shape the history and culture of the Arab world through their work. Our...
May 10, 2021•55 min•Ep. 105
We talked to Krystel Khoury and Karim Kattan about their work at Mophradat. Krystel is Mophradat's grants coordinator, and Karim is Mophradat's programs associate. Created & Hosted by Mikey Muhanna , afikra Edited by: Ramzi Ramman Theme music by: Tarek Yamani https://www.instagram.com/tarek_yamani/ About the afikra Conversations: Our long-form interview series features academics, arts, and media experts who are helping document and/or shape the history and culture of the Arab world through ...
May 05, 2021•53 min•Ep. 104
In this conversation, we talked to Mona Kareem about her three poetry collections and her trilingual chapbook "Femme Ghosts". Created & Hosted by Mikey Muhanna , afikra Edited by: Ramzi Ramman Theme music by: Tarek Yamani https://www.instagram.com/tarek_yamani/ About the afikra Conversations: Our long-form interview series features academics, arts, and media experts who are helping document and/or shape the history and culture of the Arab world through their work. Our hope is that by havin...
May 03, 2021•55 min•Ep. 103
We discussed Moustafa Bayoumi's book "How Does It Feel To Be a Problem? Being Young and Arab in America", and his work as a journalist, columnist, and editor. Created by: Mikey Muhanna, afikra Hosted by: Mikey: https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu/ Edited by: Ramzi Ramman Theme music by: Tarek Yamani https://www.instagram.com/tarek_yamani/ About the afikra conversation series: Our long-form interview series, hosted on Zoom, featuring academics and arts and media experts who are helping document a...
Apr 28, 2021•55 min•Ep. 102
In this conversation, we discussed susan abulhawa's multiple novels including 'Mornings in Jenin'. We also talked about her experience with Playgrounds for Palestine, a children’s organization dedicated to uplifting Palestinian children. Created by: Mikey Muhanna, afikra Hosted by: Mikey: https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu/ Edited by: Ramzi Ramman Theme music by: Tarek Yamani https://www.instagram.com/tarek_yamani/ About the afikra conversation series: Our long-form interview series, hosted on ...
Apr 28, 2021•55 min•Ep. 101
We talked to Charles Al-Hayek about his work on bringing Arab cultural heritage and history to social media on Heritage and Roots in engaging and enticing means. Created by: Mikey Muhanna , afikra Edited by: Ramzi Ramman Theme music by: Tarek Yamani https://www.instagram.com/tarek_yamani/ About the afikra conversation series: Our long-form interview series, hosted on Zoom, featuring academics and arts and media experts who are helping document and/or shape the history and culture of the Arab wo...
Apr 21, 2021•55 min•Ep. 100
We talked to Waddah Faris about his work as a designer, artist, photographer, art critic, and former gallerist. We also talked about his work at Contact Art Gallery and Galerie Faris, the Baalbek Festival catalogues he designed, and much more! Created by: Mikey Muhanna, afikra Hosted by: Mysa Kafil-Hussain Edited by: Ramzi Ramman Theme music by: Tarek Yamani https://www.instagram.com/tarek_yamani/ About the afikra conversation series: Our long-form interview series, hosted on Zoom, featuring aca...
Apr 19, 2021•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 99
We discussed Professor Mattawa's poetry, translation, and work as an academic at the University of Michigan. Khaled Mattawa is the author of five books of poetry, and a critical study of the Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish. His awards include the Academy of American Poets Fellowship prize, the PEN Award for Poetry in Translation, and a MacArthur Fellowship. Created & Hosted by Mikey Muhanna , afikra Edited by: Ramzi Ramman Theme music by: Tarek Yamani https://www.instagram.com/tarek_yamani/...
Apr 16, 2021•53 min•Ep. 98
In this conversation, we discussed Professor Makdisi's scholarship on Modern Arab History, snd Ottoman History. Dr. Ussama Makdisi is a Professor of History and the first holder of the Arab-American Educational Foundation Chair of Arab Studies at Rice University. Created & Hosted by Mikey Muhanna , afikra Edited by: Ramzi Ramman Theme music by: Tarek Yamani https://www.instagram.com/tarek_yamani/ About the afikra conversation series: Our long-form interview series, hosted on Zoom, featuring ...
Apr 14, 2021•55 min•Ep. 97
We talked to Ghazi Faisal Al-Mulaifi, Ph.D. in ethnomusicology, on his research interests that include Kuwaiti pearl diving music, the music of the Indian Ocean civilizations trade routes, and global jazz. A Venice Biennale artist, composer, Khaleeji-jazz musician, and ensemble leader, Ghazi's current musical efforts include performing with his ensemble "Boom.Diwan" where he and traditional Kuwaiti pearl diving musicians merge Kuwaiti bahri (sea) rhythms with global jazz traditions for the purpo...
Apr 12, 2021•52 min•Ep. 96
Khajag Apelian is a Lebanese graphic and type designer of Armenian descent. We talked to Khajag about his work and "debakir", which focused on Arabic typography projects with various organizations such as Opera Amsterdam, One/one, the Mediamatic Foundation, and the Khatt Foundation. Created & Hosted by Mikey Muhanna , afikra Edited by: Ramzi Ramman Theme music by: Tarek Yamani https://www.instagram.com/tarek_yamani/ About the afikra conversation series: Our long-form interview series, hosted...
Apr 09, 2021•55 min•Ep. 95
We talked to Butheina Kazim about independent Cinema in the UAE and the region. Butheina is the Founder of Cinema Akil, an independent cinema platform in Dubai. Created & Hosted by Mikey Muhanna , afikra Edited by: Ramzi Ramman Theme music by: Tarek Yamani https://www.instagram.com/tarek_yamani/ About the afikra conversation series: Our long-form interview series, hosted on Zoom, featuring academics and arts and media experts who are helping document and/or shape the history and culture of ...
Apr 07, 2021•59 min•Ep. 94
We talked to Todd Reisz, architect and writer, on his recently published book, Showpiece City: How Architecture Made Dubai (Stanford University Press), which explores architecture’s packaging to sell Dubai on a global stage. Created & Hosted by Mikey Muhanna , afikra Edited by: Ramzi Ramman Theme music by: Tarek Yamani https://www.instagram.com/tarek_yamani/ About the afikra conversation series: Our long-form interview series, hosted on Zoom, featuring academics and arts and media experts w...
Apr 07, 2021•54 min•Ep. 93
Philip Ciantar is a senior lecturer in music at the School of Performing Arts, University of Malta, where he teaches ethnomusicology, world music, and more. Ciantar is the author of The Ma’lūf in Contemporary Libya: An Arab Andalusian Musical Tradition and Studies in Maltese Popular Music, as well as of various articles in ethnomusicology. Created & Hosted by Mikey Muhanna , afikra Edited by: Ramzi Ramman Theme music by: Tarek Yamani https://www.instagram.com/tarek_yamani/ About the afikra c...
Apr 02, 2021•53 min•Ep. 92
In this conversation, we talked to Professor Jonathan Shannon, Cultural Anthropologist & Associate Dean of Arts and Humanities at NYUAD. Shannon is the author of books on Music and Modernity in Contemporary Syria, and Music and Nostalgia Across the Mediterranean. Created & Hosted by Mikey Muhanna , afikra Edited by: Ramzi Ramman Theme music by: Tarek Yamani https://www.instagram.com/tarek_yamani/ About the afikra conversation series: Our long-form interview series, hosted on Zoom, featur...
Mar 31, 2021•53 min•Ep. 91
We discussed Anny Gaul's work as a cultural historian of food and gender specializing in Egypt and Morocco. We also talked about her research and writing and how she uses food and kitchens to explore how ideas like nationalism, modernity, and domesticity have felt and tasted through time. Created & Hosted by Mikey Muhanna , afikra Edited by: Ramzi Ramman Theme music by: Tarek Yamani https://www.instagram.com/tarek_yamani/ About the afikra conversation series: Our long-form interview series, ...
Mar 29, 2021•55 min•Ep. 90
We talked to Sherene Seikaly, a historian of capitalism, consumption, and development in the modern Middle East, about her book "Men of Capital: Scarcity and Economy in Mandate Palestine", her work as editor for Jadaliyya, Journal of Palestine Studies, and Arab Studies Journal. Created & Hosted by Mikey Muhanna , afikra Edited by: Ramzi Ramman Theme music by: Tarek Yamani https://www.instagram.com/tarek_yamani/ About the afikra conversation series: Our long-form interview series, hosted on Z...
Mar 26, 2021•54 min•Ep. 89
In this conversation, we talked to Hala about her successful literary career and award-winning books and poetry collections (Salt Houses, The Arsonists’ City, The Twenty-Ninth Year) as well as her work as a clinical psychologist. Created & Hosted by Mikey Muhanna , afikra Edited by: Ramzi Ramman Theme music by: Tarek Yamani https://www.instagram.com/tarek_yamani/ About the afikra conversation series: Our long-form interview series, hosted on Zoom, featuring academics and arts and media expe...
Mar 24, 2021•53 min•Ep. 88
We talked to Amir ElSaffar and Arun Ramamurthy about Raga Maqam which is a 15-person ensemble featuring virtuosic artists that bring to life a unique and contemporary sound grounded in two ancient traditions. Created & Hosted by Mikey Muhanna , afikra Edited by: Ramzi Ramman Theme music by: Tarek Yamani https://www.instagram.com/tarek_yamani/ About the afikra conversation series: Our long-form interview series, hosted on Zoom, featuring academics and arts and media experts who are helping d...
Mar 22, 2021•55 min•Ep. 87
We talked to Isabella Hammad, the author of "The Parisian", on writing her first novel and her new novel set in London and Palestine. Hammad's "The Parisian", was published in April 2019 and is being translated into 15 languages. Created & Hosted by Mikey Muhanna , afikra Edited by: Ramzi Ramman Theme music by: Tarek Yamani https://www.instagram.com/tarek_yamani/ About the afikra conversation series: Our long-form interview series, hosted on Zoom, featuring academics and arts and media expe...
Mar 19, 2021•54 min•Ep. 86
