The city of Montpellier in the South of France is currently gearing up for its annual eleven-day celebration of Arab culture with Festival Arabesques, which starts on Wednesday and goes on until September 23. Created in 2006 to provide a platform for Arab art in Europe, it aims to promote visibility of works from the region, promote dialogue and cultural diversity.
Usually held in May or June, this year’s instalment will take place in the autumn as dates clashed with the month of Ramadan. Now in its thirteenth year, it was the first event of its kind in Europe to host a wide spectrum spanning the arts with music, spoken word, storytelling, dance, calligraphy workshops and films showcasing the Arab world to a western audience.
The festival has attracted an impressive line-up of performers in the past including the Cairo Opera Orchestra, Moroccan Gnawa legend Hamid El Kasri and more contemporary indie acts such as 47Soul, Mashrou’ Leila, Speed Caravan and Emel Mathlouthi. This year is no different – performing artists include Algerian folk singer Souad Massi, French-Tunisian musician Dhafer Youssef, a collaboration between N3rdistan, Bachar Mar-Khalife and Palestinian oud group Le Trio Joubran. The festival will also close its programme with a tribute concert for the late Palestinian poet and writer Mahmoud Darwish, marking 10 years after his passing.
Festival director Habib Dechraoui says the festival benefits and enriches everyone. He spoke to The National about the role it plays in Montpellier and across France. "This festival has always been very popular. In fact, the social networks have just permitted a better visibility for the Arabic culture," Dechraoui says.
“I think this festival has made it possible for us to discover and rediscover our beautiful city of Montpellier, as it is unique in its kind,” he says. “And Arabesques in France is a way to fight sectarianism and change perceptions of the Arabic culture, especially at a time like this. Given the growing audience [every year], I daresay that this year’s edition looks very joyous. Moreover, in the various testimonies we receive from the public and professionals each year, it seems that we are at the right place because our project contributes to promote solidarity and cultural openness.”
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Read more:
Remembering Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish 10 years after his death
The hefty price of expression in Palestine
WATCH: The legacy of Mahmoud Darwish
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For someone going to the festival for the first time, I ask him what they should expect. “Arabesques is not only known as the first festival in Europe dedicated to Arabic arts and cultures, it’s also known as a family festival which gathers people of different generations, a festival where you can find real social diversity (the prices we fix have to be accessible to everyone), and of course, a programme which presents the best of the Arabic scene, combining tradition and modernity at the same time.”
For Dechraoui, there are two acts he is most looking forward to seeing this year as part of the festival.
“Without a doubt, the tribute to Mahmoud Darwish,” he says. “I had the privilege to meet him, which fulfilled me with joy, so I am very moved to pay him this tribute through big names participating in the festival this year. Dhafer Youssef also, because I love his music and his compositions, but mostly because he is a great man with a lot of charisma and personality.”
Festival Arabesques opens on Wednesday in Montpellier
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List of alleged parties
- May 15 2020: Boris Johnson is said to have attended a Downing Street pizza party
- 27 Nov 2020: PM gives speech at leaving do for his staff
- Dec 10 2020: Staff party held by then-education secretary Gavin Williamson
- Dec 13 2020: Mr Johnson and his then-fiancee Carrie Symonds throw a flat party
- Dec 14 2020: Shaun Bailey holds staff party at Conservative Party headquarters
- Dec 15 2020: PM takes part in a staff quiz
- Dec 18 2020: Downing Street Christmas party
Electoral College Victory
Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate.
Popular Vote Tally
The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.
THE SPECS
Engine: 3-litre V6
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
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Director: Sriram Raghavan
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Cast: Ayushmann Khurrana, Tabu, Radhika Apte, Anil Dhawan
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Wicked
Director: Jon M Chu
Stars: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey
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Citadel: Honey Bunny first episode
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Dan Brown
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Business Insights
- As per the document, there are six filing options, including choosing to report on a realisation basis and transitional rules for pre-tax period gains or losses.
- SMEs with revenue below Dh3 million per annum can opt for transitional relief until 2026, treating them as having no taxable income.
- Larger entities have specific provisions for asset and liability movements, business restructuring, and handling foreign permanent establishments.
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo
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Transmission: seven-speed dual-clutch auto
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A Bad Moms Christmas
Dir: John Lucas and Scott Moore
Starring: Mila Kunis, Kathryn Hahn, Kristen Bell, Susan Sarandon, Christine Baranski, Cheryl Hines
Two stars
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
WORLD RECORD FEES FOR GOALKEEPERS
1) Kepa Arrizabalaga, Athletic Bilbao to Chelsea (£72m)
2) Alisson, Roma to Liverpool (£67m)
3) Ederson, Benfica to Manchester City (£35m)
4) Gianluigi Buffon, Parma to Juventus (£33m)
5) Angelo Peruzzi, Inter Milan to Lazio (£15.7m
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
THE SPECS
Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine
Power: 420kW
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Disclaimer
Director: Alfonso Cuaron
Stars: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Kline, Lesley Manville
Rating: 4/5
PROFILE OF HALAN
Started: November 2017
Founders: Mounir Nakhla, Ahmed Mohsen and Mohamed Aboulnaga
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: transport and logistics
Size: 150 employees
Investment: approximately $8 million
Investors include: Singapore’s Battery Road Digital Holdings, Egypt’s Algebra Ventures, Uber co-founder and former CTO Oscar Salazar
The biog:
Favourite book: The Leader Who Had No Title by Robin Sharma
Pet Peeve: Racism
Proudest moment: Graduating from Sorbonne
What puts her off: Dishonesty in all its forms
Happiest period in her life: The beginning of her 30s
Favourite movie: "I have two. The Pursuit of Happiness and Homeless to Harvard"
Role model: Everyone. A child can be my role model
Slogan: The queen of peace, love and positive energy
FIGHT CARD
Bantamweight Hamza Bougamza (MAR) v Jalal Al Daaja (JOR)
Catchweight 67kg Mohamed El Mesbahi (MAR) v Fouad Mesdari (ALG)
Lighweight Abdullah Mohammed Ali (UAE) v Abdelhak Amhidra (MAR)
Catchweight 73kg Mostafa Ibrahim Radi (PAL) v Yazid Chouchane (ALG)
Middleweight Yousri Belgaroui (TUN) v Badreddine Diani (MAR)
Catchweight 78kg Rashed Dawood (UAE) v Adnan Bushashy (ALG)
Middleweight Sallaheddine Dekhissi (MAR) v Abdel Emam (EGY)
Catchweight 65kg Rachid Hazoume (MAR) v Yanis Ghemmouri (ALG)
Lighweight Mohammed Yahya (UAE) v Azouz Anwar (EGY)
Catchweight 79kg Omar Hussein (PAL) v Souhil Tahiri (ALG)
Middleweight Tarek Suleiman (SYR) v Laid Zerhouni (ALG)
Jiu-jitsu calendar of events for 2017-2018:
August 5:
Round-1 of the President’s Cup in Al Ain.
August 11-13:
Asian Championship in Vietnam.
September 8-9:
Ajman International.
September 16-17
Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games, Ashgabat.
September 22-24:
IJJF Balkan Junior Open, Montenegro.
September 23-24:
Grand Slam Los Angeles.
September 29:
Round-1 Mother of The Nation Cup.
October 13-14:
Al Ain U18 International.
September 20-21:
Al Ain International.
November 3:
Round-2 Mother of The National Cup.
November 4:
Round-2 President’s Cup.
November 10-12:
Grand Slam Rio de Janeiro.
November 24-26:
World Championship, Columbia.
November 30:
World Beach Championship, Columbia.
December 8-9:
Dubai International.
December 23:
Round-3 President’s Cup, Sharjah.
January 12-13:
Grand Slam Abu Dhabi.
January 26-27:
Fujairah International.
February 3:
Round-4 President’s Cup, Al Dhafra.
February 16-17:
Ras Al Khaimah International.
February 23-24:
The Challenge Championship.
March 10-11:
Grand Slam London.
March 16:
Final Round – Mother of The Nation.
March 17:
Final Round – President’s Cup.
England squad
Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow, Dominic Bess, James Bracey, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Zak Crawley, Sam Curran, Joe Denly, Ben Foakes, Lewis Gregory, Keaton Jennings, Dan Lawrence, Jack Leach, Saqib Mahmood, Craig Overton, Jamie Overton, Matthew Parkinson, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Joe Root, Dom Sibley, Ben Stokes, Olly Stone, Amar Virdi, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood
