WELCOME TO LITTLE BAGHDAD, WELCOME TO FAIRFIELD
A festival developed in collaboration with Australia’s largest Iraqi community
Image: Zanny Begg, 1001 Nights in Fairfield, 2015
Presented by PYT in association with STARTTS, Little Baghdad is made up of 3 unique inter-cultural events, taking place in Fairfield from 25 June–15 November.
Little Baghdad Artists & Presenters: Sana Al-Ahmar, Mohammed Alenezi, Reewan Al-Mahana, Zahra Al-Mudhaffar, Suham Al-Sabti, Zahra Alsamawi, Eiman Al Ubudy, Cigdem Aydemir, Sean Bacon, Nicole Barakat, Zanny Begg, Welyam Geylana, Ali Hamadi, Bashar Hanna & The Choir of Love, Lina Ishu, Haitham Jaju & The Parent’s Cafe, Firas Naji, Layla Naji, Province, Bhenji Ra, Oliver Slewa, Victoria Spence, Undrawing the Line, Sarah Yahya, & Yassmen Yahya.
1. THE LONG TABLES
Hosted by well known Fairfield community members Firas and Layla Naji, The Long Tables are a series of Iraqi inspired dinner parties bringing together artists and audiences to engage in critical and creative discussion around the experience of being an Iraqi in 21st Century Australia.
The ticket price includes performances and presentations by Little Baghdad key artists, culture leaders and human rights advocates and a sumptuous three course Iraqi banquet prepared by The Parent’s Café, a community initiative run in association with Fairfield High School Intensive English Centre that empowers recently arrived migrants through a range of social enterprise initiatives.
Thursday 25 June, 7-10.30pm – Resilience & Rituals [SOLD OUT]
Friday 26 June, 7-10.30pm – Women of Iraq [SOLD OUT]
Saturday 27 June, 7-10.30pm – Geography & Borders [SOLD OUT]
PYT, 19 Harris St, Fairfield
Tickets: $30 (limited capacity)
BOOKINGS: here
2. LET’S PARTY LIKE IT’S 620BC
PYT will be transformed into an Iraqi bazaar for this unique event. Bring your family and friends to Fairfield for the whole afternoon or just a few hours to see the launch of newly commissioned performances and installations by LITTLE BAGHDAD artists; and participate in a Fairfield Food Safari, Iraqi dancing and more! Hosted by well-loved Fairfield Iraqi community members, Layla and Firas Naji.
PYT, 19 Harris St, Fairfield
Saturday 11 & Sunday 12 July, 3–7pm
Tickets: $10
BOOKINGS: here (or cash on the door)
Schedule:
N.B. the line-up is the same on Saturday & Sunday
3–5pm | Screenings of Little Baghdad commissioned film by Zahra Alsamawi |
3–5pm | Durational painting by Ali Hamadi |
3–6pm | Dominoes & card games |
3–7pm | Installations by Nicole Barakat, Province, Sean Bacon, Cigdem Aydemir & Undrawing the Line |
3–7pm | Tea, coffee & refreshments served by The Parent’s Cafe with Iraqi food available between 5–6pm |
3.30–4pm | Fairfield Food Safari hosted by Karen Therese & Layla Naji |
4.05–4.15pm | Dance duet performed by Welyam Geylana & Bhenji Ra |
4.30–4.50pm | Performance lecture by Oliver Slewa, ‘The Assyrianologist’ |
5–5.15pm | Slam poetry by Reewan Al-Mahana, ‘Ree1’ |
5.20–5.40pm | Special event screening of Little Baghdad commissioned film ‘1001 Nights in Fairfield’ by Zanny Begg, featuring the Choir of Love |
6.10–7pm | Iraqi party with music performed by Bashar Hanna & the Choir of Love, & special party guests |
7.15pm | After the party, we invite you to have dinner at one of Fairfield’s many amazing restaurants including Iraqi, Iranian & Laotian. A restaurant map will available. |
3. 1001 NIGHTS IN FAIRFIELD (EXHIBITION)
Little Baghdad will culminate in an exhibition of works by young Iraqi-Australian artists responding to artifacts in the Australian Museum’s Ancient Mesopotamian collection, showcased alongside work by established contemporary artists.
Fairfield City Museum & Gallery
632 The Horsley Dr, Smithfield
22 August–16 November
Admission Free
FEATURED LITTLE BAGHDAD ARTIST: Bashar Hanna & Choir of Love