Search a title or topic

Over 20 million podcasts, powered by 

Player FM logo

Arabworld Podcasts

show episodes
 
Quartertones is a music podcast which hosts current Arab musicians from different geographies who play contemporary and modern music, including pop, rock, hip-hop, electronic, classical, among other genres. The guests are invited to talk about their work and play their music – whether live or recorded – in three segments. The audience gets a chance to listen to work from across the region and genres that is defining the scene in the region, and understand the music that these musicians and m ...
  continue reading
 
Formerly afikra's Book Club, this podcast series calls on anyone who is interested in literature from the Arab world to spend time reading along with the entire afikra community and discover some of the best books and writers that came out of the region. We interview Arab authors about books they’ve written in Arabic or English (and sometimes French), and non-Arab authors who have written extensively about the region, delving into their literary journey until present day. We also invite book ...
  continue reading
 
Formerly afikra’s Movie Night podcast, this series dives into the performing arts, from stage to the small and big screens. We zoom in on the work of some of the most noteworthy Arab actors, directors, scriptwriters, cinematographers, stage designers, producers, and crew who have worked on some of the best productions from the region – old and new. We ask questions about the industry, the writing and production processes, the behind the scenes, and genres behind some of the Arab world’s best ...
  continue reading
 
Loading …
show series
 
We sit down with Ahmed Alammary (otherwise known as DJ Baloo), the Chief Creative Officer of MDLBeast and a leading music figure and thinker in the region. We discuss the origins of MDLBeast and its goals for transforming the music industry in Saudi Arabia and the broader region. MDLBeast was born from a brief for a three-day music festival in 2019…
  continue reading
 
Yasmine Nachabe Taan interviews Lebanese illustrator Hanane Kai who shares her journey from studying and working as a graphic designer to the moment she decided to concentrate on illustration work. They discuss her illustration career that began with sketching in the park, to online blogs and social media, eventually leading to award-winning commis…
  continue reading
 
Oud player, singer and musician Huda Asfour takes the stage on Habibi Festival's fifth and last night of 2025, performing new tracks she wrote during the genocidal campaign on Gaza, and a track called "From the River to the Sea" which she Wrote as a response to the May 18, 2021 strike in Palestine. The Mohamed Abozekry Sextet also take the stage fo…
  continue reading
 
On the fourth night of Habibi Festival 2025, Sudanese artist Mai Elgizouli takes the stage with a dynamic, deeply emotional first "serious" show in New York performing a set of acoustic songs that explore themes of sadness, power, and hope, including a deeply personal tribute to her late brother and the strong women of Sudan. She follows with a nua…
  continue reading
 
Huda Smitshuijzen AbiFarès interviews Iranian-American visual artist Golnar Adili on her journey from architecture to teaching and practicing visual arts. They discuss her work that transgresses borders and definition and how she uses the Perso-Arabic script and language as material for artistic exploration. Golnar talks about her love for science …
  continue reading
 
Day 3 at Habibi Festival 2025 brings two boundary-pushing Arab artists: Iraqi-American visual artist-turned-musician Maryam Turkey and Egyptian oud player Mohamed Abozekry. They discuss their artistic journeys, creative transitions, and their unique collaborative processes. Turkey details her move into music in New York, where she found a more play…
  continue reading
 
Experience day two of the fifth edition of Habibi Festival, hosted at Joe’s Pub in Brooklyn. The evening begins with the festival co-founders, Yacine Boulares and Meera Dugal, welcoming the audience and reflecting on the festival’s mission of celebrating the living, breathing music, culture, and traditions of the Arab region and actively combating …
  continue reading
 
Habibi Festival is back for a fifth year with performances and talks on stage hosted by afikra, which we'll be releasing on our Quartertones series. Day 1 opens with a solo performance by Maii Waleed, an artist from Alexandria, Egypt, in her debut at Joe's Pub. She sings tracks from her previous EP, including "Neptune" and "Sama", and "Fashi" from …
  continue reading
 
Yasmine Nachabe Taan interviews Beirut-based, French-Lebanese illustrator Aude Abou Nasr. They discuss Aude's educational and professional journey from starting in architecture into illustration and activism. Aude discusses her interest in narratives that address issues of belonging and the strife of migrants (women in particular). She also discuss…
  continue reading
 
Author Sara Hamdan discusses her journey to becoming a published writer and the nuanced storytelling behind her book, "What Will People Think?" from its unexpected appearance on Jimmy Fallon's Book Club shortlist to navigating the complexities of Palestinian heritage in her work. Hamdan delves into the importance of collaboration in creative fields…
  continue reading
 
Roshanak Keyghobadi interviews Iranian California-based graphic designer and illustrator Ghazal Foroutan. They discuss Ghazal's journey as a designer, her educational stages, and her impactful first professional experience at Studio Shizaru in Tehran. Ghazal discusses her interest in design research and design history that developed during her post…
  continue reading
 
Musician and composer Maya Youssef takes us on her unique journey with the qanun. Currently based in London, Maya delves into her early musical upbringing in Damascus to challenging traditional perceptions of the 78-stringed Instrument and developing her own innovative approach to composition and teaching. She discusses the profound connection betw…
  continue reading
 
Yara Khoury Nammour interviews Cairo-based Lebanese designer and visual artist Bahia Shehab. They discuss Shehab's motivation and journey as a designer and educator. Shehab delves into political engagement, the importance of portraying an authentic image of Arab/Islamic visual heritage in order to decolonize design history discourse. They discuss h…
  continue reading
 
The author discussed her multigenerational Palestinian family memoir "The Hollow Half: A Memoir of Bodies and Borders," which spans from mandate Palestine to the present day. Sarah Aziza reflects on her relationship with her Palestinian identity, the complexities of being "half" something, and her lifelong journey with the Arabic language. The conv…
  continue reading
 
Rapper, writer, and thought leader Akala joins us on Quartertones live at Sole DXB to talk about his early career steps in London, the city's unique blends due to its history, and his drive to connect with diverse audiences. He shares insights into the impact of colonialism and the importance of embracing shared cultural heritage from Shakespeare t…
  continue reading
 
Yasmine Nachabe Taan interviews Beirut-based Syrian visual storyteller and illustrator Dima Nachawi. They discuss her professional journey, education, and projects. Dima shares her passion for making people laugh, clowning, drawing, singing, performing, shadow puppetry, and street theater. Her multidisciplinary practice is connected to her Syrian r…
  continue reading
 
Palestinian singer Lina Makoul delves into the responsibility of artists to translate public sentiment, the worsening situation in Gaza and the West Bank, and the impact of the 900 new checkpoints added by the occupation on day-to-day Palestinian life. Makoul talks about her journey as an independent artist, her research into Palestinian history, a…
  continue reading
 
Palestinian-Jordanian singer, songwriter, and producer Dana Salah shares her journey graduating from Duke University to DJing in New York City and writing songs in Jay-Z's studio to transitioning to creating and performing songs in Arabic. She discusses the impact of DJing on her music writing, and the importance of staying connected with her cultu…
  continue reading
 
Professor of Middle Eastern Studies at Dartmouth College, Jonathan Smolin, discusses his book "The Politics of Melodrama: The Cultural and Political Lives of Ihsan Abdel Kouddous and Gamal Abdel Nasser," which examines the life and work of Ihsan Abdel Quddous who played an immense role in shaping 20th-century Arab culture as a prolific writer, jour…
  continue reading
 
Huda Smitshuijzen AbiFarès interviews Brussels-based, Syrian-Polish designer Kinda Ghannoum. They discuss her journey into the field of design, through practical work following her graduation with a degree in architecture from the University of Damascus. Kinda shares her travails as a self-taught graphic designer and her passion for the Arabic scri…
  continue reading
 
Roshanak Keyghobadi interviews New York-based Iranian designer Zeynab Izadyar. They discuss her journey into the field of design and textile design; beginning with her education as graphic designer in Tehran, followed by her postgraduate studies at Yale University School of Art, then backtracking to her childhood. Zeynab candidly shares stories abo…
  continue reading
 
In this episode of Quartertones, we're joined by Palestinian composer and musician, Issa Boulos who tells us about his deep connection to Jerusalem and Palestine, and how his upbringing influenced his approach to music and life. Boulos recounts his unique experiences growing up in a small town, his family's musical traditions, and the cultural life…
  continue reading
 
We're joined by film critic and president of the International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI), Ahmed Shawky, and delve into the role of film critics in the Arab world. We talk about Shawky's personal journey into critiquing films and the evolution of Arab cinema. Shawky shares insights on iconic Egyptian filmmakers, the impact of global cine…
  continue reading
 
Yara Khoury Nammour interviews London-based Lebanese designer Samar Maakaroun. They discuss at length her journey into the field of branding and lettering, her work at Pentagram studio in London and what it means to be the first Lebanese partner in the studio. They cover her independent project on lettering "29 Words for 29 Letters" – playing with …
  continue reading
 
In this episode of Ehkili, Palestinian writer Selma Dabbagh discusses the influence of her legal background on her storytelling and explores the complexities of her Palestinian identity, particularly in the context of political engagement and activism. The conversation also delves into Dabbagh's novel "Out of It" and her anthology "We Wrote In Symb…
  continue reading
 
In this episode of Quartertones, we're joined by Barbara Lebrun, the author of "Dalida: Mythe et Mémoire." We explore the remarkable career of Dalida, the iconic singer who rose to fame in the mid-20th century. Born in Cairo to an Italian family, Yolanda Gigliotti's journey to stardom began when she moved to France in 1954. Initially adopting an It…
  continue reading
 
Huda Smitshuijzen AbiFarès moderates a conversation between the hosts of season 4 of @khatt_chronicles. The discussion addressed the three main themes that are planned for this season, focusing on the overarching theme of Graphic Women from the SWANA region. The Khatt Foundation's latest research project that culminated in the publication "Revealin…
  continue reading
 
In this special episode of Quartertones in collaboration with XP Air, we sit down with prominent artist Dreamville's Bas, to discuss his journey in the music industry. We talk about the financial challenges of touring, the value of exposure over immediate monetary gain, and the significance of rehearsals and meticulous work ethic exemplified by art…
  continue reading
 
In this episode of Kawalis, we welcome Farah Nabulsi, the acclaimed director and writer behind films like "The Teacher" and the BAFTA-winning and Oscar-nominated "The Present." Nabulsi shares her powerful journey from her career in finance to filmmaking, highlighting her profound connection to Palestine and the human stories that inspire her work. …
  continue reading
 
In this episode of Ehkili, we speak with Reem Khorshid and Faris Bseiso about their literary project Mudun, published by Kaph Books and supported by the Barjeel Art Foundation. They trace the origins of this anthology of short stories about Arab cities, which began as a pandemic project and grew into a collection featuring narratives both in Arabic…
  continue reading
 
The inspiring Emel Mathlouthi joins Tanya Khoury on the Quoz Arts Fest stage in Dubai for a riveting discussion on music, cultural roots, and breaking gender norms in the music industry. Emel shares her journey of proving that women can excel in music production, creating her all-female album "MRA," and the significance of connecting with audiences…
  continue reading
 
DJ amen RA welcomes the talented Syrian-American rapper, poet and longtime friend of afikra, Omar Offendum, to the Quoz Arts Fest stage. Host Tanya Khoury asks Offendum to delve into topics ranging from the impact of war on art and identity, and the significance of maintaining cultural heritage through creative expression, to the evolving landscape…
  continue reading
 
In this episode of Khatt Chronicles, Roshanak Keyghobadi interviews UK-based Iranian type designer and researcher Sahar Afshar. They discuss Sahar's journey into the field of type design, the challenges she faced along the way, and her views on the responsibility of designing a typeface. They discuss some of Sahar's main and award-winning type proj…
  continue reading
 
In this episode of Ehkili, Sahar Mustafah welcomes author and editor Susan Muaddi Darraj to discuss her recent anthology, "Ask the Night for a Dream: Palestinian Writing From the Diaspora." The conversation highlights the significance of amplifying Palestinian literary voices, the challenges of publishing during the ongoing genocide and ethnic clea…
  continue reading
 
In this episode of Khatt Chronicles, Huda Smitshuijzen AbiFarès interviews France-based Algerian graphic and designer Walid Bouchouchi. They discuss his journey into the field of graphic design, his move to France (first Paris, then Marseille), and his professional transformation along the way. Walid discusses the design education and practice in A…
  continue reading
 
This episode of Quartertones was recorded live on the Sole DXB stage in Dubai on December 13, 2024. Founder of Empire Records Ghazi Shami, and head of Empire Iwana Sohail Nafar explore the challenges and future of the Arab music industry, from Ghazi's connection to Palestinian heritage to Sohail's work with DAM and Empire. They discuss cultural rep…
  continue reading
 
In this episode of Ehkili, Mysa Kafil-Hussain speaks with Jassim Al-Assadi and Steve Lonergan, authors of "The Ghosts of Iraq's Marshes: A History of Conflict, Tragedy, and Restoration." They delve into the history, environmental challenges, and cultural significance of the marshlands, as well as the authors' collaboration on their book. They discu…
  continue reading
 
In this episode of Quartertones, we interview award-winning violinist, composer, and educator Layth Sidiq at Habibi Festival in NYC. He shares his journey in Arabic music, and discusses his upbringing in a musical family, the evolution of his career, and his role as the artistic director of the New York Arabic Orchestra. He also delves into the imp…
  continue reading
 
Scavenging for synthesizers, digital vs analog music, and what it means to be a music producer in the AI era. This episode of Quartertones features Egyptian music producer Kubbara in our studio in Beirut. Known for his jazz-influenced, neo-soul sound, he gives us a master class in music production, from discovering and collaborating with artists to…
  continue reading
 
In this episode of Khatt Chronicles, Yara Khoury Nammour interviews France-based Iranian educator and independent type designer Sina Fakour. They discuss his design teaching and the paths one can take as a graphic designer. They unpack his ideas on designing thinking, research, creative coding, type design, publication design, and a range of other …
  continue reading
 
Karim Ziad and Mehdi Nassouli perform at Habibi Festival 2024 and are joined on stage by Yacine Boulares and other talented musicians for a jazzy performance and a conversation with host Mikey Muhanna who asks Karim and Mehdi about their inspirations, musical journeys, and the experience of working together. 00:00:00 Intro & Performance 01:13:11 Fu…
  continue reading
 
In this last episode in 3 Kawalis podcast special zooming in on cinema in the Gulf, Alia Younis hosts associate professor of Culture and Politics at Georgetown Qatar, Firat Oruc, to explore the history of cinema in the Arab Gulf region. Firat delves into the colonial emergence of cinema in the 1930s, highlighting the peculiar British regulations an…
  continue reading
 
After a moving performance at Habibi Festival, we sit down with the members of Taktouka to hear about the band’s journey from vocalist Alia Haju, beginning with how it came together after she fled Beirut with her cousin, Bashar Farran, the ensemble's bassist. The rest of the band—Daro Behroozi (woodwinds/synth), Calvin Lu (keys/synth), and Jesse Ch…
  continue reading
 
In this episode of Khatt Chronicles, Roshanak Keyghobadi interviews Iranian designer Mitra Shahsavand, design director and founder of the Mitra Shahsavand Design Studio. They discuss Mitra's journey into the field of graphic design and focus on some of her impactful and challenging projects of presenting women products within the Iranian public spa…
  continue reading
 
What is the Gulf-Kerala connection? This episode of Kawalis is a deep dive into migration, media, and cultural exchange. Filmmaker Alia Yunis hosts associate professor at Azim Premji University, Bindu Menon, as part of a three-episode special on cinema in the Arab Gulf. They navigate the intricate ties between Kerala and the Gulf, delving into the …
  continue reading
 
In this episode of Khatt Chronicles, Huda Smitshuijzen AbiFarès interviews Iranian designer Aria Kasaei, who co-founded Studio Kargah with his classmate and friend Peyman Pourhossein. They discuss his journey into the field of graphic design and the cultural engagement from Studio Kargah's humble beginnings in a basement in Tehran to its present da…
  continue reading
 
Habibi Festival is back for another year at Joe's Pub, bringing Arabs, comrades, and lovers of music together in New York in these difficult times that our nations continue to endure. And for another year, afikra was on stage to speak to the musicians and bring their conversations and performances to you on afikra's Quartertones podcast. Who better…
  continue reading
 
Discover cinema from the Gulf from its beginnings to the present day. Filmmaker Alia Yunis draws on her rich knowledge of the Arab Gulf’s cinema to give us a full picture of the scene's early days, its current state and what is anticipated for its future. Rejecting the widely held belief that "Arabic film comes from Egypt," Alia paints a picture of…
  continue reading
 
In this episode of Khatt Chronicles, Yasmine Nachabe Taan interviews Lebanese design writer and critic, Sahar Khraibani. They discuss her journey into the field of design writing through graphic design and illustration. Together, they unpack the importance of design and critical writing at this moment in time. They discuss Sahar's major writing pro…
  continue reading
 
Nai Barghouti joins us for a very special episode of Quartertones ahead of her performance at the Toronto Palestine Film Festival on September 27th which will be her Canadian debut. Speaking from the heart, Nai shares how Palestine underscores the music she makes and performs, her journey to becoming unapologetically Palestinian, and learning the n…
  continue reading
 
Loading …
Copyright 2026 | Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | | Copyright
Listen to this show while you explore
Play