Reka Si invites you to Al Ghawazi On the Road, a participatory community performance and conversation that centers the lives of the Al Ghawazi (Arabic: الغوازي — female belly dancers / performers).

The performance is taking place on November 14th at 20:00 at Teater Magdalena - Ob železnici 16, Maribor.

In 1834 the Al Ghawazi were banned from Cairo to Upper Egypt; Orientalist, Islamist and colonial literature portrayed them as sexual debauchery, a stigma that contributed to their marginalization and exclusion. 

That stigma remains present today and continues to stigmatize belly dancers of all genders living in different places across the SWANA region.

Reka Si carried out participatory research that resulted in the co-creation of this community performance by Samar Zughool (she), Rula Hummada (she), Behnaz Aliesfahanipour (she/they) and Manar Abed (she) from the SIDE art collective (migrant womxn cooking and cleaning politics cultures and arts). 

Through storytelling, movement and collaborative practice, the performance traces gendered and intersectional experiences across migration histories and contemporary experiences, and opens space for decolonial and feminist reflection and resistance. 

The performance is free entry. A moderated discussion and networking session will follow around migration, gender equality and integration, with Palestinian and Slovenian culinary offerings (food and beverages). 

Come for an unforgettable night of connection, dialogue and intercultural exchange.

When: Doors open 19:45 - performance 20:00.
Where: Magdalena Teater - Ob železnici 16, 2000 Maribor.

We look forward to seeing you there.

This community performance and event is part of the Womxn to Womxn: Intercultural Forces initiative, which received funding from the Mario program of the Minority Rights Group and was sub-granted for this performance by JSKD - Public Fund of the Republic of Slovenia for Cultural Activities.