We’re starting the afternoon with a short animated film called "Twilight" ("Shafaq") by Syrian artist Ola Soqar. The film will be introduced by Syrian-born Alice Kswani who now lives in Sydney.
Next we will present a talk by Syrian speaker Omar Al Kassab who is now based in Melbourne. Omar participated in demonstrations for peace, democracy and against corruption in Syria. Whilst studying engineering at university, he was arrested and tortured.
His story includes his humanitarian work alongside fellow Scouts, imprisonment, the loss of friends and finally, their family’s escape to a new life overseas. In Australia, Omar and his brother Saad have actively reconnected with Scouts movement and resumed his education. Omar is now studying towards a Bachelor of Business at RMIT university and giving talks in the community across Australia and Saad recently shot to fame when graduating as a Dux in one of the most prestigious Catholic School in the country and currently studying toward Biomedicine degree at the University of Melbourne.
As the final act of our series we have an exclusive concert by the Sydney-based Andalus Arabic Choir conducted by Ghada Daher-Elmowy. The choir will perform "Oumsiya” which is a set that includes a broad repertoire in various dialects from Andalusia to the Middle-East crossing North-Africa. The Andalus Arabic Choir is a unique group of Arabic and Non-Arabic speaking Australians who share the love of Andalusian and Arabic music and singing.
Entry and seating are free. Capacity is limited and there is no registration process. Please arrive in time to secure a good seat.
Omar and his brother Saad Al Kassab in a TEDx Talk:
