Seattle Arab Festival Highlights Arabic History, Arts, Stories And Foods

Seattle Center Festál: Seattle Arab Festival, 12.-15. August, features traditional Arabic music, storytelling, food demonstrations, dance, and other performances that showcase the traditions, talents, and achievements of Arabs and Arab-Americans. Link to the virtual festival at: https://www.facebook.com/seattlearabfestival.

Every year, the Seattle Arab Festival seeks to strengthen ties between the Arab people and our wider community while highlighting the history and diversity of 22 countries in the Arab world. Here is the complete festival line-up:

17: 00-19: 00, Thursday, August 12th

Welcome by Pramila Jayapal, US Representative, Washington State

· Greetings from the Mayor of Seattle, Jenny A. Durkan

Welcome by the co-director of the Seattle Arab Festival, Amani AbouAmmo

· Interview with Seattle Center Director Robert Nellams

· Children’s area, hear from our children

· Learn Arabic with storytelling, presented by Laila Taji

· Live cooking demonstration with Nadia Tommalieh

17: 00-19: 00, Friday, August 13th

Welcome by Rita Zawaideh, board member of the Seattle Arab Festival,

· Appearance of the singer Marwa Almasri

· Fashion show part 1 with Oraib Khalifeh

· Performance by the singer Fadwa Nassif

· Performance by Dr. Morhaf Al Achkar

· Ali Baba & Forty Thieves, storytelling and illustration from Highline College

· Interview with Mohammed Sabaaneh, political cartoonist from Gaza

· Music of Islam

4-6 p.m., Saturday, August 14th

Welcome by the Seattle Arab Festival board member, Beth Mahmoud-Howell

· Appearance of the singer Marwa Almasri

· Fashion show part 2 with Oraib Khalifeh

· House party singing

· Discussion on literacy and educational reform for women in the Arab world with Kuwait-born Palestinian photographer Laura Boushnak

· Cake & painting with Sonia Zaher

· Essential oils & aromatic jewelry with Emmila founder Amani AbouAmmo

13: 00-15: 00, Sunday, August 15.

Welcome by the co-director of the Seattle Arab Festival, Oussama Alkhalili

· Live cooking demonstration with Khalil Akl

History of dance, presented by Zualika (Patricia Auch)

· Appearance by singer Dr. Morhaf Al Achkar

Details on the festival program can be found at: http://www.seattlecenter.com/events/featured-events/festal/seattle-arab-festival

The Seattle Center Festál highlights the culturally rich communities that shape the character and history of our region. The series, which will be presented virtually in 2021, provides a forum for cultural groups to come together and share their stories with the wider community. The series began in 1997 to provide festivals with a central place to invite the public to their unique cultural expression.

Seattle Center presents Seattle Center Festál: Seattle Arab Festival in partnership with the Seattle Arab Festival and its volunteers. Streaming is free. For more information, visit www.seattlecenter.com/festal or call 206-684-7200.