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Lebanon

Impulse II

ArtEvolution Impulse II © Goethe-Institut Libanon / Design: Karim Farah

Performances are a way of reclaiming spaces and voices that have been taken away from people through socio-politically oppressive structures. They offer an opportunity for people to challenge power structures and to advocate for change. 
In Lebanon, the sectarian political system, embedded the centralization of the arts scene in the capital, which led to exclusion, inequality, and neglect towards people who are living outside the capital and deprived them from their right in being part of their cultural scene in their country. 
Cultural democratization doesn’t only give access to communities but has also allowed artists to experiment with new forms of artistic expression, breaking free from the strictures of conventional theatre.

Curators

Impulse II Curators © Impulse II Curators
Nahla EL-Zibawi is the Co-founder and Co-Director of Ishbilia Theatre & Art Hub. Coming from a business background, El-Zibawi brings to the creative and culture sector a set of ideas and skills from project design and business modeling to partnership building. She is responsible for the daily operation of the space, strategic planning, staff management and coordinating short- and long-term programming. Nahla was a specialist in the development sector where she assisted in developing several capacity building projects and managed projects in vulnerable areas in Lebanon. She holds a BA in Business Administration, major Management, and a Masters in Market Research and Consumer Behavior from IE Business School, Madrid, Spain. Hiba Zibaoui is a cultural manager and practitioner. She is the Co-founder and Co-Director of Ishbilia Theatre & Art Hub in Sidon, South Lebanon. In this respect, she serves as an Artistic director and is responsible for programing, planning, and organizing cultural events. The program offerings featured archived and modern content that speaks to various interests and age groups. The programs include film screenings, performing art festivals, trainings, and workshops. In 2021, Hiba participated in many programs, talks, and events, and workshops related to cultural and arts like “Tandem 360”, Beirut Locarno Film Academy, and Sharjah Film Platform. Hiba holds a bachelor’s degree in communication arts from the Lebanese American University. Her experiences involved media, theatre, drama therapy, and research.

PERFORMING ARTS: RECLAIMING SPACES, VOICES AND COMMUNITY CONNECTION

“We decided to explore through the socio-political value of performing arts in public spaces.  
 We will observe through four topics the history of the cultural scene in Saida, specifically in the performing arts discipline. We will discuss and reflect with artists from the city and outside of its different examples of performances that happened in the city and how we can build up on that to empower our cities and communities in the current challenging times that Lebanon is facing. 
In conclusion, arts in public spaces can be an act that enables individuals and communities to break imposed barriers and share their experiences and allows them to create a sense of community and solidarity, and push for social transformation towards a more just and equitable society”.

Impulse II_Panel 1

July 14, 2023 | 06:30 pm at Ishbilia Theatre and Art Hub, Saida
 PANEL 1: REMEMBERING THE FLOATING THEATRE IN SAIDA

with Zaher Bizri
Impulse II_Panel 2

July 14, 2023 | 08:00 pm at Ishbilia Theatre and Art Hub, Saida
 PANEL 2: CULTIVATE CULTURES IN PUBLIC SPACES

with Amal Kaawash
Impulse II_Panel 3

July 15, 2023 | 06:30 pm at Ishbilia Theatre and Art Hub, Saida
 PANEL 3: TALES AS A TOOL FOR SOCIO-POLITICAL IMAGINATION

with Ali Al Samra
Impulse II_Panel 4

July 15, 2023 | 08:00 pm at Ishbilia Theatre and Art Hub, Saida
 PANEL 4: PLAYBACK THEATRE: BRIDGING ACROSS DIFFERENCES

by Farah Wardani
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