The Riwaq - Week One Programme

Sat 7 May | 12pm–1pm & 3pm–4pm | Free

Cohesion Plus was established in 2008, and has a long and successful track record of producing outdoor festivals and culturally diverse performances. It promotes positive community relations and mutual understanding between different communities, through the arts, public education and sport.

The dance element is led by Four by Four Bhangra, one of the leading Bhangra Dance Troupes in the UK; whilst percussion is led by Bill Singh, one of the most celebrated Dhol players outside India.  

Sat 7 May, 1pm–3pm | Free | Suitable for Adults

Living Library is like an ordinary library except books are people. Come to meet Ukraine-themed Living Books and be brave to talk about: history, culture and language in Ukraine; on-going war; hosting Ukrainian refugees; journeys of the refugees and how they are settling in and other themes. 

Disclaimer: Ukrainian Living Library builds on the tools developed by Alliance for Public Health in Ukraine, a partner of Frontline AIDS based in Brighton.

Sat 29 May, 11.30am–4.30pm | Drop-in | All ages | Free

A chilled day with activities for children with a visit from SMOOSH!

Sat 7 May, 2pm & 4pm | Fri 20 May, 2pm & 4pm | Free

Come along to a feast of kite making and kite flying made of simplest of tools and material. The art of kite flying is one whose roots extend back to the ancient times. Kite running is a past time in many cultures. We want to offer the experience of what is behind kite flying, the making of a simple flight craft.  Kite flying is a craft part science and part art.

Sat 7 May | 5pm–6pm | Free

Jamal & Alaa play traditional Syrian and Arabic Folk songs and have performed together since 2017.

Jamal spent over 40 years of his life as a professional musician in Syria, where he composed music for TV, ran a recording studio, played in several bands and lectured in universities as an expert on Arabic music. He has toured with Damon Albarn, Gorillaz and played with the London Syrian Ensemble.

Alaa is from a famous Syrian musical family and has played the Oud and sang for 25 years. Although himself, not a professional musician, he is a well-respected player and is also training to become a translator to help support Syrian refugees settle in the UK.

Sun 8 May | 12.30pm–1.30pm | Free

Born in Sudan, poet, songwriter and composer Bashir Al Gamar came to England in 1993, after being imprisoned for his poem Patience on a beach. Since then he has lived in Brighton. Bashir has taken part in several art exhibitions and poetry readings in the UK. He is a well known proponent of the Oud. His poetry and music mainly deal with his homeland, exile, human suffering and love. He writes in either classical Arabic, or in Sudanese local dialect. The words contain many emotions, images and metaphors and are written in a musical rhythmic language.

Sun 8 May | 3pm–4pm | Free

Ilesh Patel learnt Sitar initially from Sri Sachinda Dasgupta. At present, he is learning from  Pandit Arvid Parikh (India) and Ustad Mehboob Nadim (UK). He has is a popular performer at cultural events, and weddings and was a regular on the main stage at Crawley International Mela Festival.

Jayesh Vaduhul is well known UK based Tabla player and plays with Ilesh at many events.

Sun 8 May | 5.30pm–7pm | Free

Plus guest performance from Lorin Sklamberg of the Klezmatics.

Original compositions drawing cultural and musical influences from Tatarstan, Turkey, Russia and the Pale of Settlement. All choirs include material from Ukraine and also people from there.

Statement from Merlin and Polina Shepherd: 'The Brighton & Hove Russian choir is not affiliated with any political, ideological or religious body. Our choirs promote culture, music, peace, unity and build bridges through singing.'