If You’re in London: The ‘Dash Arabic’ Series

Yes, and this time I really mean “London,” and not towns farther afield.

Dash Arts recently launched something called the Dash Arabic Series, which is says includes “major commissions by artists from across the Arabic-speaking world and a wider programme of free events at the Dash Café.” Upcoming events include a tribute to Um Kulthoum and a staging of 1,001 Nights.

The next event—at MOMO, 25 Heddon Street, on Thursday July 1 7 p.m.—will celebrate the recently released Beirut39 collection, which features the work of 39 Arab writers under 40.

At the event, Lebanese writer Hyam Yared will read from her work. She and (unnamed?) translators will apparently also explore the challenges of translating for an international audience.

Yared, who writes in French, seems a somewhat strange choice for an “Arabic” series, although she did tell Sousan Hammad, at the Beirut39 blog, that Arabic is deeply rooted in her subconscious.