Despite the fact that the war between Israel and Hamas is shaking “both the Arab world and the West,” the deputy artistic director of the Montreal Arab World Festival, Matias Ollivier, is confident in the success of the 24e edition of the event which opens on Saturday.
“We feel that this [conflit] is a subject that crosses a lot of people’s minds. However, we will really have to wait until the festival takes place to see the real state of mind of the public,” says Mr. Ollivier. This cultural event, during which a culture fair, shows and film screenings will be held, will take place in different Montreal venues and will be in full swing until November 11.
If he says he is not at all insensitive to the war started on October 7, Matias Ollivier trusts his “solid” team to ensure the smooth running of the event. In a calm tone, he recalls that over the years, people from all walks of life have expressed fears or anger before the start of the festival. However, this has always gone well, according to Mr. Ollivier, even in 2001, when the edition was held shortly after the September 11 attacks in the United States.
The deputy artistic director maintains that his festival is all the more necessary in times of crisis, because it promotes Arab cultures which are “multiple, abundant and linked to the four corners of the world”. “While there are identity withdrawals which are taking place, this is the opportunity for the festival to once again be a buffer which can dilute all these bad passions, without having an opinion on the political situation. »
The stage, by being the “place of all freedoms”, also makes it possible to expose the affinities between cultures, according to Mr. Ollivier. The show Persia belongs to youwhich will be held on 1er November at the Cinquième Salle at Place des Arts, will explore the relationship between Persian and Arabic music. “The Persians are not Arabs, but there is a musical connection that is fascinating to listen to. »
To close the festival, the concert Roots of Flamenco, presented at the Maisonneuve theater, will reveal the links between traditions from Iraq and Andalusia, with the Iraqi-Hungarian oud player Omar Bashir and the Spanish guitarist Carlos Piñana. The Algerian musician and storyteller Sidi Bémol will join them.
Debates on the theme “Belong to me”
In addition to vibrating to the rhythm of various sounds, the public will be invited to exchange ideas during the Salon de la culture, which will be held in particular at the University of Quebec in Montreal (UQAM).
Matias Ollivier explains that the topics of the debates – which will also be open to all – were chosen according to the theme of the festival, “Belong to me. Fragments of a wandering identity.” “ “Belong to me” is a mysterious formula, which sounds provocative and which has something carnal. With the subtitle, “Fragments of a wandering identity”, it is truly an opportunity to explore the relationship between different cultures and otherness. »
One of the discussions will focus on the fact that some users of social networks or dating applications invent origins by changing their first name or their appearance. “Influencers and public figures will, for example, pose as Arabs. This is an opportunity for us to question this mimicry and this play of identities,” explains Matias Ollivier. This dialogue will be held on November 4, at the Kawalees cultural cabaret, in the Mile End district.
Women’s chats without filter
Canadian-Egyptian filmmaker Nisreen Baker hopes that the festival will attract Quebecers of all origins, in order to allow the general public to better understand the different points of view that exist in the Arab world. His documentary Arab women say THAT? will be presented free of charge on 1er November at UQAM and will be followed by a discussion.
In interview with The duty, Nisreen Baker calls her feature film “bold and revealing” because it shows the unfiltered conversations of a group of eight friends. The latter live in Canada and are of Iranian, Moroccan, Egyptian, Tunisian, Lebanese, Sudanese or Syrian Kurdish origin. “There is this idea in Canadian society that Arab women are reserved and shy. In a sense that may be true, but when we get together we can talk about absolutely anything. »
Mme Baker looks forward to meeting festival-goers to begin an honest and open dialogue with them. “Canadians need to learn to really know each other,” she adds, in an animated tone.