Legendary British theatre director Peter Brook astounded audiences with his adaptation of the parable ‘The Grand Inquisitor’ from Fiodor Dostoyevsky’s ‘The Brothers Karamazov’. Relaying a chilling monologue about faith, freedom, the abuse of power and compassion, British actor Bruce Myers, who plays the Grand Inquisitor, simply owned the stage. Taking the audience back to Seville during the darkest days of the Spanish Inquisition, Christ suddenly returns to cure the sick and raise the dead. He is imprisoned by the Catholic Church and brought before the Grand Inquisitor who, in an attempt at self-justification, relays a telling fable about the perversion of religion by clerical powers trying to impose their authority on believers. Set on a bare stage, the questions raised in this gripping monologue are indicative of today’s political climate.
Naseer Shamma in concert
In a fundraising concert organised by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to mark World Refugee Day, renowned Iraqi oud player stunned crowds with an exceptional musical performance. The event raised a staggering SYP 1m for Iraqi refugees living in Syria. Since 2007, Shamma has been touring the Arab world in cooperation with UNHCR as part of his musical campaign to raise awareness and support for the thousands of Iraqi refugees who continue to suffer. “It is not only money or food that a refugee or a displaced person needs. A refugee needs to feel secure and loved,” Shamma said.
Mustafa Ali
Syrian sculptor Mustafa Ali inaugurated his latest sculpture in his Damascus gallery on June 18 before sending it to the Institut du Monde Arabe (IMA) in Paris where it will be displayed on the upper terrace during the summer months. Ali’s sculpture was selected among numerous works from the whole Arab world as part of an artistic competition organised on the occasion of IMA’s 20th anniversary in February. The 236-square-metre work consisted of 36 square font plaques that were laid out in the gallery’s courtyard. Since his graduation from the Fine Arts Academy in Italy in 1996, Ali has established himself as one of the most important contemporary Syrian sculptors exhibiting in the USA, Canada, Italy, France and Switzerland among others.
Walid al-Masri exhibition
Moving between Walid al-Masri’s paintings is like passing through the four seasons in a few minutes: the canvases all depict a drab chair with a dash of colour beneath it, but each is different in character. While the concept may sound dull, this endless repetition works to undermine the role of the chair, making it a mere abstract form. Al-Masri’s use of Japanese perspective further distinguishes his work and makes the chairs look as though they are floating in space.
Legendary British theatre director Peter Brook astounded audiences with his adaptation of the parable ‘The Grand Inquisitor’ from Fiodor Dostoyevsky’s ‘The Brothers Karamazov’. Relaying a chilling monologue about faith, freedom, the abuse of power and compassion, British actor Bruce Myers, who plays the Grand Inquisitor, simply owned the stage. Taking the audience back to Seville during the darkest days of the Spanish Inquisition, Christ suddenly returns to cure the sick and raise the dead. He is imprisoned by the Catholic Church and brought before the Grand Inquisitor who, in an attempt at self-justification, relays a telling fable about the perversion of religion by clerical powers trying to impose their authority on believers. Set on a bare stage, the questions raised in this gripping monologue are indicative of today’s political climate.
In a fundraising concert organised by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to mark World Refugee Day, renowned Iraqi oud player stunned crowds with an exceptional musical performance. The event raised a staggering SYP 1m for Iraqi refugees living in Syria. Since 2007, Shamma has been touring the Arab world in cooperation with UNHCR as part of his musical campaign to raise awareness and support for the thousands of Iraqi refugees who continue to suffer. “It is not only money or food that a refugee or a displaced person needs. A refugee needs to feel secure and loved,” Shamma said.
Syrian sculptor Mustafa Ali inaugurated his latest sculpture in his Damascus gallery on June 18 before sending it to the Institut du Monde Arabe (IMA) in Paris where it will be displayed on the upper terrace during the summer months. Ali’s sculpture was selected among numerous works from the whole Arab world as part of an artistic competition organised on the occasion of IMA’s 20th anniversary in February. The 236-square-metre work consisted of 36 square font plaques that were laid out in the gallery’s courtyard. Since his graduation from the Fine Arts Academy in Italy in 1996, Ali has established himself as one of the most important contemporary Syrian sculptors exhibiting in the USA, Canada, Italy, France and Switzerland among others.
Moving between Walid al-Masri’s paintings is like passing through the four seasons in a few minutes: the canvases all depict a drab chair with a dash of colour beneath it, but each is different in character. While the concept may sound dull, this endless repetition works to undermine the role of the chair, making it a mere abstract form. Al-Masri’s use of Japanese perspective further distinguishes his work and makes the chairs look as though they are floating in space.