Liverpool Arab Arts Festival (LAAF) is the UK’s longest running and most successful annual Arab arts and cultural festival, platforming the best UK and international Arab artists.
Founded in 1998, the festival creates a dynamic between traditional and contemporary Arab artforms, encouraging informed debate that explores, and increases, appreciation of Arab people and their rich cultures.
Liverpool Arab Arts Festival’s work continues throughout the year, with a wide range of events and participatory projects that bring together artists and diverse communities. From Liverpool to the Arab world, LAAF builds connections that help more people to encounter and experience Arab culture in Liverpool and beyond. Its year-round programme of artistic and cultural events includes Liverpool Arab Arts Festival, established in 2002 and still the UK’s premier annual Arab arts festival. Every July, the festival brings a thrilling celebration of Arab culture to venues across the city and showcases the richness of Arab culture through a curated programme of visual art, music, dance, film, theatre, literature and digital events.
LAAF has a long track-record of providing informal and structured learning opportunities that raise awareness of Arab arts and culture, amongst both Arab and non-Arab audiences. It regularly delivers arts and cultural projects within local communities, schools and colleges that stimulates curiosity and promotes learning. This includes mainstream education and community arts development programmes. LAAF places focus on participation activities, including artist talks, workshops and symposia, that provides a chance for creative practitioners and audiences to engage in a more intimate and meaningful way
