A'AMAR
25 – 28 JAN - 2024
Venue : Parramatta riverside theatre
A night of Palestinian
Memories, Music & Food
The Arabic phrase “aamar” means “may it keep growing” or “may it get stronger”. Aseel Tayah, a Melbourne-based Palestinian artist, activist and passionate cook, invites you to a sensory evening. Immerse yourself in a four-course Arabic meal, as Tayah and fellow musicians Meena Shamaly and Camille El Feghali take you on a journey with poetry, song and storytelling from her family’s homeland.
Evoking the alleys of Jerusalem and echoing the melodies of Gaza, this experience weaves a rich cultural tapestry. Featuring delectable Arab dishes,you will be transported into Aseel’s world, her Palestine.
A warm, nourishing and interactive event that uses cuisine to honour friendship, love and community.
A night to remember those who left us, send our people hope and support. Both sponsorship and any donations made is to help Bukjeh’s projects on the ground.
“Through… stunning song and pointed monologue, Aseel Tayah creates a fleeting yet memorable relationship between us all.”
The Arabic phrase “aamar” means “may it keep growing” or “may it get stronger”. Aseel Tayah, a Melbourne-based Palestinian artist, activist and passionate cook, invites you to a sensory evening. Immerse yourself in a four-course Arabic meal, as Tayah and fellow musicians Meena Shamaly and Camille El Feghali take you on a journey with poetry, song and storytelling from her family’s homeland.
Evoking the alleys of Jerusalem and echoing the melodies of Beirut and Alexandria, this experience weaves a rich cultural tapestry. Featuring delectable Arab dishes – and perhaps the best hummous you have ever tasted – you will be transported into Aseel’s world, her Palestine.
A warm, nourishing and interactive event that uses cuisine to honour friendship, love and community.
"Through... stunning song and pointed monologue, Aseel Tayah creates a fleeting yet memorable relationship between us all."
Producer Aseel Tayah-Bukjeh
Script and direction Aseel Tayah and Sarah Kriegler
Sound design Aseel Tayah, Meena Shamaly and Camile El Feghali
Set and costume design Aseel Tayah
Lighting designer Bronwyn Pringle
Production manager Emily O'Brien
Media and design Sarah Edriss, Jason Cheetham
Video and filming Roshdi Sarraj, Ibrahim Lafi, Ain Media-Gaza
Video Director : John Lloyd Fillingham
Co-commissioned by Melbourne Fringe and Wyndham city council
Co-contribution to script: Palestinian community and supporters around the world: Our community nights are being generously supported by Doctors&co and SSI. Thank you for doing all this amazing work for our people, thank you for helping Bukjeh’s work to be shared.
A partial lockout applies - latecomers will be admitted at an appropriate break in the performance. Please arrive early to avoid disappointment.
Recommended for ages 14+
All performances will have conditions of entry adhering to the relevant NSW Government Public Health Orders and health advice. View the latest health advice here.
As the show is sold out, we are adding these show on top of our schedule,Exact time to be sent in a confirmation email closer to the date.
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Help us make it happen
The Arabic phrase “aamar” means “may it keep growing” or “may it get stronger”. Aseel Tayah, a Melbourne-based Palestinian artist, activist and passionate cook, has spent many months creating an interactive event A’AMAR with a team of artists in Australia and her homeland.
In October, just as the team was preparing to celebrate the announcement of A’AMAR as part of Sydney Festival, they were robbed of this joy by the escalation of violence in Gaza. Horrifically, all of Aseel’s collaborators based in Palestine have been killed one after another, most recently filmmaker Roshdi Sarraj.
The devastation is almost beyond human comprehension and yet somehow Aseel and the team remaining are somehow finding the strength to continue on. They are determined to share the stories and culture of the people of Palestine through A’AMAR at Sydney Festival and beyond. Aseel says, “it is with heavy hearts that we have new stories to tell. Stories that we feel, more strongly than ever, must be told”
There is an urgent need for funds for the team to be able to continue in this cause. Funding already expended on artist fees for those who have passed away and orders for materials for set and props from Palestine can not be recouped due to the war. The work will need to undergo additional development requiring fees for the artists as the scripts written, tone of video content and marketing materials are no longer appropriate.
We are asking for your support to help raise $50K to enable the delivery of A’AMAR and a digital platform for storytelling that will live on beyond the festival.
Please help so they have the funds to share these stories and rich culture, honour those who have been lost, and celebrate the power of coming together through food, poetry, song and storytelling.