During last year’s event visitors had the chance to explore a diverse range of topics, from delving into timeless classics like Hayy bin Yaqdhan to discussing the profound impact of digital publishing, archiving, and the role of storytelling in education. This year the focus will be on poetry and art as activism, stories from Gaza and the refugee experience with a special exhibition, Stories from Gaza. The exhibition will highlight Palestinian voices from the Gaza Complex in Qatar and their personal and collective experiences, memories, and reflections through the power of art.
Symposium Agenda
Poetry and Art as Activism
In today's Arab world, poetry and art serve as vital forms of activism, confronting social and political injustices. Amidst conflict and cultural shifts, artists and poets address issues like human rights, gender equality, and freedom of speech, using their work to challenge oppression and amplify marginalized voices. Poetry, long a central part of Arab culture, continues to express resistance and resilience, while visual artists use mediums like street art and digital platforms to highlight the realities of war, displacement, and identity. Together, poetry and art act as tools for protest, fostering dialogue and inspiring change across the region.
2:00 - 2:10 | Introduction and Welcome | Aisha Al Sowaidi, Director, Liwan Design Studios and Labs
2.10 - 2.30 | Opening of 'Stories from Gaza' Exhibition | Amal Ali, Curator
2:30 - 2:50 | Talk | Mustafa Mattar, Poet, News Anchor and Program Presenter, Al Rafidin TV channel [in Arabic]
2:55 - 3:15 | Talk | Hassan Manasrah, Art Director & Head of Illustrations, Al Jazeera Plus [in Arabic]
3:20 - 3:50 | Panel Q&A | Moderated by:Khalid AlBaih, Head of Programs, Liwan Design Studios and Labs
Stories from Gaza: Piecing Together the Narrative
Gaza's stories embody both resilience and the harsh realities of life under occupation and siege. "Stories from Gaza: Piecing Together the Narrative" invites a closer look at the individual and collective experiences of Gazans, often overlooked or distorted in mainstream media. This theme seeks to reassemble fragmented voices into a fuller, more authentic narrative that reflects the region's ongoing struggles and aspirations.
Through art, personal testimonies, and cultural expressions, the people of Gaza convey their enduring spirit amidst adversity. By piecing together these narratives, we witness the strength, humanity, and creativity that thrive despite a backdrop of conflict. This theme calls on artists, writers, and audiences to explore how Gazans navigate daily challenges—offering a mosaic of personal loss, survival, hope, and resistance that resonates deeply within the broader context of the Arab world.
4:10 - 4:30 | Talk | Renad Qubbaj, General Director, Tamer Institute for Community Education in Palestine [in Arabic]
4:35 - 4:55 | Talk| Kawthar AlQaraa, Writer, Teacher, Librarian and Language Editor [in Arabic]
5.00 - 5.30 | Panel Q&A | Moderated by: Esra AlMuftah - Assistant Professor of Educational Studies, Qatar University
The Refugee Experience: From Fiction to Lived Reality
In today's world, the refugee experience has shifted from a distant narrative to an urgent global reality. "The Refugee Experience: From Fiction to Lived Reality" highlights the stories of millions displaced by war, persecution, and climate change. What was once portrayed in fiction is now a lived experience for people across borders, reflecting a shared human struggle for safety, dignity, and belonging.
This theme explores how art, literature, and media have long depicted refugee experiences, but now, real-life stories of displacement, survival, and resilience take center stage. It emphasizes the gap between perception and the actual challenges refugees face—grappling with loss, identity, and the search for a new home. By bridging fiction and reality, this theme invites a deeper understanding of the complexities surrounding refugees, urging empathy and action as global displacement reaches unprecedented levels.
5:50 - 6:10 | Talk | Abdullahi Mire, Journalist, Humanitarian, Refugee and Climate Activist [in English]
6:15 - 6:35 | Talk | Dr. Hanan Hindi, Academic Advisor, Northwestern Qatar [in English]
6:40 - 7:10 | Q&A | Panel Q&A | Moderated by:Fatma AlMalki, Qatar Reads
