logo
How political should a music festival be?

How political should a music festival be?

The National24-04-2025
In this episode of Culture Bites, our hosts Enas Refaei and Farah Andrews explore the unlikely connection between Moroccan traveller Ibn Battuta and Sharjah, which he chronicled in his writing.
Sharjah hosted a rich literary programme during its participation as guest of honour at the 30th Rabat International Book Fair, highlighting the historical connections between Morocco and the UAE. The famous 14th-century traveller's journeys to the region took the spotlight at the pavilion. Enas and Farah discuss the poetic and relatable language he used to describe towns he visited in Sharjah and the growing role of the emirate as a global cultural capital.
Meanwhile, the Palestinian cause has taken centre stage at this year's Coachella music festival. The hosts discuss the acts that shared a message of solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, including US band Green Day and Irish rappers Kneecap. They also talk about the privilege certain artists have over others and who can afford to make bold political statements.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Is it a bird? Superman and 'winged' Zayed National Museum
Is it a bird? Superman and 'winged' Zayed National Museum

The National

time3 days ago

  • The National

Is it a bird? Superman and 'winged' Zayed National Museum

In this week's episode of Culture Bites, hosts Enas Refaei and Farah Andrews give a preview of the Zayed National Museum which is set to open in December. The building has already become a landmark of Abu Dhabi's Saadiyat Cultural District. Its five steel structures are shaped like feathers, inspired by the country's tradition of falconry, and the museum itself will tell the story of the UAE over 300,000 years. Enas and Farah highlight some of the main galleries to visit and notable pieces to view, including a full-scale replica of a Bronze Age Magan boat and an Iron Age stamp etched with a camel motif. On the big screen, James Gunn's new Superman has audiences drawing parallels between its storyline and real-life events. Social media users have drawn links from the film to Israel's war in Gaza, with references to military might and political dynamics. Farah has watched the film and talks to Enas about the scenes that appear to resemble the conflict.

Restaurant review: CHAR x Around The Block
Restaurant review: CHAR x Around The Block

What's On

time4 days ago

  • What's On

Restaurant review: CHAR x Around The Block

Located inside Nad Al Sheba Mall, this unique grill-focused café offers smoke-licked meats, inventive cold plates, and exclusive non-alcoholic drinks like the Coal Cola and Yuzu Kick. From morning coffee to a low-lit grill bar by night, CHAR delivers a thoughtful, flavour-packed experience that's refreshingly different. The Spot Located inside Nad Al Sheba Mall, CHAR is the latest flame-fired concept from the team behind Around The Block, a homegrown Emirati café brand known for switching things up with every new venture. It's the laid-back coffee haunt you know and love; the grill is lit, the lights are dimmed, and CHAR takes over. Expect bold, char-driven flavours, smoke-licked meats, and cold plates that strike a balance between rich and refreshing. The Vibe This isn't a high-speed, high-energy kind of place. Instead, CHAR leans into a more relaxed rhythm. It's rather casual, with open flames visible from your seat and a soundtrack that keeps things mellow. The setting evolves throughout the day from a morning coffee shop to low-lit grill bar and the transformation works. The Food and Drinks The food is where CHAR hits its stride. The chicken shawarma, assembled live in front of you, is a standout. Rich, juicy, and wrapped with house pickles for that ideal balance of punch and tang. The wagyu tenderloin comes bathed in a zaatar truffle butter that elevates it to indulgent perfection. And the Moroccan bread, pillowy and heavy on parmesan, makes for an excellent starter (if you're into cheese). Don't miss the street corn, which brings a good amount of kick and umami thanks to generous parmesan and spice. To drink? The Coal Cola is CHAR's take on a cleaner, fresher cola, and the Yuzu Kick feels like ginger ale's sharper, cooler cousin. Both are non-alcoholic and exclusive to the venue. Refreshing, surprising, and worth ordering twice, the coffee is a must try, too. The Service The team is friendly but very laid-back, so don't expect fine-dining polish. The staff move at a relaxed pace, and their casual approach sets the tone across the space and suits a mellow evening. Something to note: the kitchen closes for an hour around 5pm to prep for dinner service, so time your visit accordingly. What to Order • Moroccan bread• Street corn• Chicken shawarma • Wagyu tenderloin • Yuzu Kick and homemade Coal Cola What's On the Bill Expect to spend around Dhs350 to Dhs450 for two, depending on how many plates and drinks you try. The value is in the flavour and originality. The Final Say What's On Verdict: Thoughtful, smoky, and refreshingly different. CHAR has all the ingredients to become a cult favourite, but go with patience and a big appetite. Location: CHAR x Around The Block, Nad Al Sheba Mall, Dubai Times: Daily, 7am till late Contact: @charconcept | @aroundtheblock Reservations: Walk-ins > Sign up for FREE to get exclusive updates that you are interested in

Palestinian film ‘Alam' to screen at AFLAMUNA in Beirut
Palestinian film ‘Alam' to screen at AFLAMUNA in Beirut

Broadcast Pro

time4 days ago

  • Broadcast Pro

Palestinian film ‘Alam' to screen at AFLAMUNA in Beirut

Written and directed by Firas Khoury, 'Alam' follows the story of a Palestinian teenager named Tamer. Palestinian filmmaker Firas Khoury's feature film Alam will be screening at the AFLAMUNA, a cultural nonprofit based in Beirut working to harness the power of independent Arab cinema to elevate the most pressing social, political and cultural movements of our time, on July 18 at 8:30 PM. The film follows the story of a Palestinian teenager named Tamer, who leads a typical teenage life until the arrival of the beautiful Maysaa changes everything. As he grows closer to her, Tamer agrees to participate in a mysterious and life-changing operation called 'Alam.' Written and directed by Firas Khoury, Alam stars Mahmood Bakri, Sereen Khass, Saleh Bakri, Mohammad Karaki, Ahmad Zaghmouri and Muhammad Abed Elrahman. The film is produced by Marie Pierre Macia, Claire Gadéa, Naomie Lagadec, Melik Kochbati and Ossama Bawardi, with cinematography by Frida Marzouk, editing by Nadia Ben Rachid and music by Faraj Suleiman. In terms of bigger companies at play, Alam was produced by MPM Film, Paprika Films, and Philistine Films, and co-produced by Lacydon Bay Productions, Metafora Production, and the Red Sea Film Festival Foundation, with Arab world distribution by MAD Solutions and Lagoonie Film Production. The feature film received a grant from the Doha Film Institute and a $20,000 script development grant from the Abu Dhabi Film Festival's Sanad Fund. It was also chosen to participate in the Cinéfondation Workshop at the 2017 edition of the Cannes Film Festival and the 2019 Venice GAP-Financing Market; received a $10,000 grant from Cairo Film Connection, the CIFF's Co-Production Market, and was featured at the Atlas Workshops of the Marrakech International Film Festival.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store