Arab world under pressure of change. Pilsen ARABFEST opens the topic of sustainability

Culture and art sustainability in the Middle East will be the main theme of the 16th ARABFEST, held in Pilsen from April 23 to 26. It will offer debates, workshops, a documentary on Egyptian folklore, talks on environmental and social issues in the Middle East, and a brunch.

ARABFEST aims to allow visitors to experience Arab traditions and values up close and to introduce current societal issues shaping the Middle East. “Sustainability is a highly relevant topic in the region. Local societies face environmental challenges and climate change daily, while also trying to preserve their cultural identity in the context of local and global conflicts, drought, and water scarcity,” said festival coordinator Anežka Dragounová, a student at the Faculty of Arts, University of West Bohemia.

The festival will open on Thursday, April 23, with a panel discussion on Culture & Sustainability, which will also be recorded as a live podcast hosted by Hana Řičicová. Guests will include Miroslav Houska, an expert in the restoration of Arab monuments; Vilém Řiháček, a biochar specialist; and Arab-Czech artist Sufian Massalema.

On Friday, April 24, the organizers have prepared an Arabic-language workshop led by students from the Department of Middle Eastern and African Studies at the Faculty of Arts, UWB, open to all interested participants. In the evening, there will be a screening of Tereza Bártová Klementová’s documentary Funoon Shaabeya. The film tells the story of artists in Egypt striving to preserve traditional art and keep local folklore alive.

Saturday’s program will take place at a new festival venue, Zastávka in Plzeň. It will offer lectures on slow fashion in Jordan, practical recycling, humanitarian activities of People in Need in the region, as well as craft workshops, including screen printing with a limited-edition design created specifically for this year’s festival. Visitors will also be able to learn a traditional oriental dance. The program will include oriental markets with tastings of Arab food and drinks, showcases by partners, including an online Arabic lesson with the language school Ahlan Jordan. The festival will conclude on Sunday with a neighborhood brunch in the garden of Villa Tábor 17, where people can bring homemade Arab-inspired dishes, share recipes, and make voluntary donations to support the SOS Freedom fund of People in Need.

The Arab Culture Festival is supported by the University of West Bohemia in Pilsen and the City of Pilsen. It is held under the patronage of the university’s rector, Miroslav Lávička. The event is also supported by the Faculty of Arts, the company Lavaris, and selected Arab embassies. Full information about individual events and guests can be found on the ARABFEST website, Facebook, and Instagram.