The afikra Podcast

We will be discussing Kristyan Sarkis' work as a graphic and type designer. We will talk about the type foundry he co-founded (TPTQ Arabic), his work as the co-founder and director of Arabic Type Design Beirut, and the workshops and courses he gives. Created & hosted by: Mikey Muhanna, afikra; https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu/‎  Edited by: Ramzi Ramman Theme music by: Tarek Yamani https://www.in...

We discussed Anneka Lenssen's expertise in modern painting and contemporary visual practices. We also talked about her newest book project "Beautiful Agitation" which is a study of avant-garde painting and the making of Syria as a contested territory between 1920 and 1970. Created & Hosted by: Mikey Muhanna , afikra Edited by: Ramzi Ramman Theme music by: Tarek Yamani About the afikra conversation...

Laila talks about Oud and its tradition from its definition, to its types, and its traditional and economical value.  Note: Laila is not an expert on this subject but is sharing information in the hopes of spurring interest in the subject.  Hosted by: Mikey:  https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu/‎  Edited by: Ramzi Ramman Theme music by: Tarek Yamani https://www.instagram.com/tarek_yamani/ About afi...

We talked about Ghenwa Hayek's work on the entangled relationships between literary and cultural production, space and place, and identity formation in the modern Arab Middle East, with a specific focus on Lebanon. We also discussed her book "Beirut, Imagining the City: Space and Place in Lebanese Literature", and her research projects. Created & hosted by: Mikey Muhanna, afikra; https://www.insta...

We had a conversation with Pascal Zoghbi about his design work and his collection of contemporary Arabic and multilingual typefaces alongside corporate identities and design projects. We also talked about his Arabic Type Design and Typography firm in Beirut - 29Letters.  Created & Hosted by: Mikey Muhanna , afikra Edited by: Ramzi Ramman Theme music by: Tarek Yamani About the afikra conversation s...

We talked to eL Seed about his work which largely revolves around the practice of 'calligraffiti', the combination of Arabic calligraphy and graffiti. Additionally, we discussed his many projects, from "Mirage" in Saudi Arabia to "The Journey" in Lebanon and  many more all over the world. Created & hosted by: Mikey Muhanna, afikra; https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu/‎  Edited by: Ramzi Ramman Them...

We discussed Nisa's research which explores the relationships between cultural politics and the development of art institutions, specifically in Palestine and in Turkey.  Created & Hosted by: Mikey Muhanna , afikra Edited by: Ramzi Ramman Theme music by: Tarek Yamani About the afikra conversation series: Our long-form interview series, hosted on Zoom, featuring academics and arts ‎and media expert...

We discussed Emna's work as a Tunisian online and human rights activist & Carthagina (which she co-founded), an initiative designed to create interest in Tunisia's cultural heritage at home and abroad. Created & Hosted by: Mikey Muhanna , afikra Edited by: Ramzi Ramman Theme music by: Tarek Yamani About the afikra conversation series: Our long-form interview series, hosted on Zoom, featuring acade...

Ali, Mirna, Deema, and Sara talked about "Architecture for the Poor", Italian Renaissance & Baghdad, black and white Egyptian movies, and the Berlin-Baghdad Railway. Hosted by:   Mikey Muhanna , afikra  Edited by: Ramzi Ramman Theme music by: Tarek Yamani Once a month we hold an afikra Mezze event featuring four afikra FWDs, short 5-10 presentations sharing an ‎interesting article, video, book, po...

We talked to Khalid Lyamlahy about his work as a Francophone North African literature teacher at the University of Chicago. We also discussed his research about the works of contemporary Moroccan Francophone writers and the concepts of nostalgia and revolt. Created & Hosted by: Mikey Muhanna , afikra Edited by: Ramzi Ramman Theme music by: Tarek Yamani About the afikra conversation series: Our lon...

We talked to Arij Mikati about creating and supporting opportunities that advance storytelling and cultural change work as the managing director at Pillars Fund. Created & Hosted by: Mikey Muhanna , afikra Edited by: Ramzi Ramman Theme music by: Tarek Yamani About the afikra conversation series: Our long-form interview series, hosted on Zoom, featuring academics and arts ‎and media experts who are...

We had a conversation with Yazan Khalili about his  work as an architect, visual artist, and cultural activist, in addition to his work with Radio Alhara. Created & Hosted by: Mikey Muhanna , afikra Edited by: Ramzi Ramman Theme music by: Tarek Yamani About the afikra conversation series: Our long-form interview series, hosted on Zoom, featuring academics and arts ‎and media experts who are helpin...

We had a conversation with Jess Ghannam about his work as a Clinical Professor of Psychiatry and Global Health Sciences in the School of Medicine at UCSF. We also discussed  his research on the consequences of war on displaced communities. Created & Hosted by: Mikey Muhanna , afikra Edited by: Ramzi Ramman Theme music by: Tarek Yamani About the afikra conversation series: Our long-form interview s...

We talked to Resat Kasba about his work as a professor and expert on the history and politics of the Middle East. Created & Hosted by: Mikey Muhanna , afikra Edited by: Ramzi Ramman Theme music by: Tarek Yamani About the afikra conversation series: Our long-form interview series, hosted on Zoom, featuring academics and arts ‎and media experts who are helping document and/or shape the history and c...

We had a conversation with Rayyane about his work and most recent exhibition: Alien Property, hosted at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Created by: Mikey Muhanna , afikra Hosted by: Yazan Kopty & Sarah Graff Edited by: Ramzi Ramman Theme music by: Tarek Yamani About the afikra conversation series: Our long-form interview series, hosted on Zoom, featuring academics and arts ‎and media experts who a...

We talked to Professor Zainab Bahrani about her books and research. Professor Bahrani is the author and editor of multiple books and articles on Ancient Near Eastern and East Mediterranean art and archaeology, art theory, historiography,  and philosophies of representation.  Created by: Mikey Muhanna , afikra Hosted by:   Mikey Muhanna  & Sarah  Graff  Edited by: Ramzi Ramman Theme music by: Tarek...

We talked to Eman Abdelhadi, professor and sociologist at the University of Chicago, ‎about her research on Muslim communities in the US, gender, and inequality.  Created & Hosted by: Mikey Muhanna , afikra Edited by: Ramzi Ramman Theme music by: Tarek Yamani About the afikra conversation series: Our long-form interview series, hosted on Zoom, featuring academics and arts ‎and media experts who ar...

In four afikra FWDs, the presenters share resources on a Yemeni skateboarder,  the Abandon Fairgrounds in Tripoli, Lebanon, ancient Egyptians’ diet, and on Architecture ‎in Lebanon. ‎ Note: The presenters are not experts on this subject but are sharing information in the hopes ‎of spurring interest in the subject.‎ Hosted by:   Mikey Muhanna , afikra  Edited by: Ramzi Ramman Theme music by: Tarek...

We talked to Celine Semaan, the founder and executive director of the Slow Factory about fashion activism, her perspective on improving sustainability literacy in fashion, fashion activism, and the slow factory and its projects!  Created & Hosted by: Mikey Muhanna , afikra Edited by: Ramzi Ramman Theme music by: Tarek Yamani About the afikra conversation series: Our long-form interview series, hos...

We had a conversation with Suheyla Takesh about her work at the Barjeel Art Foundation, and about the recent exhibition she co-curated "Taking Shape: Abstraction from the Arab World, 1950s–1980s." Created & Hosted by: Mikey Muhanna , afikra Edited by: Ramzi Ramman Theme music by: Tarek Yamani About the afikra conversation series: Our long-form interview series, hosted on Zoom, featuring academics...

Randa Jarrar is a performer and the author of the forthcoming memoir "Love Is An Ex-Country", the novel "A Map of Home", and the collection of stories "Him, Me, Muhammad Ali". Zaina Arafat is the author of the novel "You Exist Too Much", with stories and essays appearing in The New York Times, Granta, The Believer, and more. Created & Hosted by: Mikey Muhanna , afikra Edited by: Ramzi Ramman Theme...

Al-Hakawati is a teller of tales, legends, and fables; a storyteller, a performer, and someone who earns his living by fascinating and captivating an audience with his tales. Julia talks about this and explores the tradition of oral storytelling and how it's being preserved today.  Hosted by:  Mikey Muhanna , afikra Edited by: Ramzi Ramman Theme music by: Tarek Yamani About afikra Community Presen...

Suad Amiry is an author and architect, and she is best known for her book Sharon and My Mother-in-Law: Ramallah Diaries. Amiry is also the Founder of RIWAQ, a center founded to work on the rehabilitation and protection of architectural heritage in Palestine. Created & Hosted by: Mikey Muhanna , afikra Edited by: Ramzi Ramman Theme music by: Tarek Yamani About the afikra conversation series: Our lo...

We talked to Omar Al – Qattan about his work as a director and film producer, and about his experience making “Tale of the Three Jewels” in addition to his many other movies and films. We also asked him about Al – Qattan Foundation and the mosaic rooms they established in London in 2008. Created & Hosted by: Mikey Muhanna , afikra Edited by: Ramzi Ramman Theme music by: Tarek Yamani About the afik...

Omar explores how Orientalist depictions in music have contributed to the development and understanding of Western culture, and even Arab culture in general. Hosted by:  Mikey Muhanna , afikra Edited by: Ramzi Ramman Theme music by: Tarek Yamani About afikra Community Presentations: Every Saturday a community member delivers an in-depth presentation on a ‎topic related to the Arab world’s history...