In less than a week, the Horniman Museum and Gardens will host Haflah at the Horniman: A South-West Asian and North African (SWANA) Summer Party, an afternoon celebrating the cultures, creativity and traditions of the SWANA region, running from 1 pm to 5 pm.
Organised by Hekayyatna, whose name translates from Arabic as “our stories”, the event aims to create spaces for people to connect through conversation, creativity and shared experiences, while marking the beginning of a year-long partnership between the organisation and the Horniman Museum, with the summer party — named after the Arabic word haflah (حفلة), meaning ‘party’ or ‘celebration’ — spotlighting the cultures of Palestine, Iraq, Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, Yemen, Sudan and Syria.
Explaining the inspiration behind the event, Al Shaibani from Hekayyatna explained the inspiration behind the event: “What makes the Haflah at the Horniman so exciting is that you can experience so many different parts of SWANA culture all in one place.
“Where else can you join a retelling of the Epic of Gilgamesh, try Arabic calligraphy, join a dabke dancing session, and then gorge on Syrian burgers, Yemeni pastries, and Lebanese wraps?
“It will be a celebration of our region, and it’s also the start of a year-long series of events as Hekayyatna does a SWANA takeover at the Horniman Museum.”
As the countdown begins, here’s what visitors can look forward to.
From bandstand rhythms to souq treasures
Bringing music and storytelling to the heart of the celebrations, SWANA Records, a record label that aims to connect the SWANA region with the global music industry, will curate an afternoon of performances on the Horniman’s historic bandstand, featuring four artists with roots in Lebanon and Egypt.
The line-up opens with Lebanese singer-songwriter and drummer Rhea Kattan, whose intimate acoustic set explores identity and belonging. She will be followed by Egyptian-Australian R&B and pop artist Isadora, whose music blends contemporary pop with Middle Eastern sounds, drawing on both her Egyptian heritage and Australian upbringing.
Later in the afternoon, London-based Lebanese singer-songwriter Vincent J will perform songs in Arabic and English, combining pop, rock and Middle Eastern influences, before Egyptian artist Layal closes the programme with an energetic set that fuses Arabic and English sounds. Having performed at festivals including Latitude and Wireless, Layal’s music is known for bringing together different cultures and styles.
Away from the stage, visitors will be able to explore a souq that brings together independent businesses, artists, and makers from across the SWANA community.
Stalls will showcase a range of products, from Palestinian fair-trade olive oil, dates and za’atar by Zaytoun, to hand-embroidered textiles by SEP The Brand, traditional Yemeni silver jewellery by Sazar Silver, handmade ceramics by Spindle by Sisters and freshwater pearl jewellery by RayMakesThings.
Visitors can also discover bold, hand-built ceramic pieces by SV Ceramics, explore Arabic literature, poetry and independent artisan work from Maqam, a nomadic bookshop dedicated to Arabic writing, and browse art prints and zines created by writers and artists in Gaza through Zines from Gaza, with all profits going directly to the creators.
Food will be another highlight of the afternoon, with a selection of traders serving dishes inspired by different parts of the region. Visitors can expect Syrian burgers from refugee-owned Baytna4Refugees, traditional Yemeni pastries served with Adeni chai by Ola – Pinch of Yemen, and Lebanese street food from LiL Watan, along with tea and chai from the Algerian Tea Company.
Alongside the food and music, the programme will offer a variety of interactive activities designed to bring SWANA culture, history and creativity to life for visitors of all ages.
Storyteller Rowan Salim will take audiences on a journey through ancient Mesopotamia with a live retelling of the Epic of Gilgamesh, one of the world’s earliest surviving literary works.
Visitors can also join Nabad Troupe for a hands-on dabke workshop, learning the rhythms and movements of the beloved Levantine folk dance, or explore the intricate art of Arabic calligraphy through a dedicated workshop.
Throughout the afternoon, Heartnouveaux will offer complimentary henna designs, allowing visitors to experience one of the region’s most celebrated forms of body art.
Those looking for a more social activity can stop by Yallah Tawlah, who will introduce guests to tawlah, a traditional board game enjoyed across the SWANA region, with opportunities to learn how to play and challenge others in friendly matches.
The event will also invite visitors to engage with the Horniman Museum’s collections through Rewrite the Label, a creative activity that encourages guests to view SWANA objects in new ways by sharing their own thoughts, memories, and interpretations of the pieces that interest them.
Families will also be able to enjoy additional activities across the gardens, including face painting and other creative experiences designed for younger visitors to take part in throughout the day.
Haflah at the Horniman forms part of (Re)Claimed: Liberating South West Asia and North Africa (SWANA) in UK Museums, a collaborative project between Hekayyatna, the Horniman Museum and Gardens and UCL.
Supported through UCL’s ESRC Impact Acceleration Account, the initiative aims to explore how SWANA histories and cultures are represented in UK museums. Activities taking place inside the Pavilion, including the Epic of Gilgamesh storytelling sessions and dabke workshops, are also supported by Everyday Orientalism as part of its 10th anniversary celebrations.
Tickets for Haflah at the Horniman are available here. The New Arab will also be attending the hafla, with full coverage to follow on our social media platforms.
Zainab Mehdi is a British Iraqi journalist and the Associate Features Editor at The New Arab. She holds a BSc in Modern History and International Relations from the University of Essex and an MA in Near and Middle Eastern Studies from SOAS
Follow her on Instagram: @zaiamehdi_/@zainabmehdiwrites_
