Tawassul co-sponsors Evelyn Abdalah Menconi Memorial Cultural Series, along with The William G. Abdalah Library and The American-Arab Media Foundation

April 24th, 2008: In commemoration of the Palestinian Nakba and the Armenian Genocide the Evelyn Abdalah Menconi Memorial Cultural Series presents: 
[download flyer - word doc]

Remembrance, Images, & Musical Resonance 
The Palestinian Narrative * Muslim Women and the Veil * Qanun Expressions

Thursday, April 24th, 2008
Boston Public Library, Rabb Lecture Hall
Reception: 5:30 to 6:15 pm
Lobby, Rabb Lecture Hall
Program: 6:30 to 8:15 pm

• Susan Abulhawa is the author of the novel, The Scar of David, which portrays the Palestinian narrative from the Nakba to the present. She will discuss and read from her novel.
  
• Rania Matar is a documentary photographer. She will present and elucidate her photographic series on Muslim Women and the Veil: Modesty, Fashion, Devotion, or Statement.
  
• Jamal Sinno is a master qanunist. He will play traditional musical selections throughout the program.

The Series honors the legacy of the late Dr. Evelyn Abdalah Menconi, known for introducing Arab cultural traditions to the public and highlighting achievements of gifted Arab-Americans.

For library information and directions, go to bpl.org or call 617.536.5400. 
Open to the public - Wheelchair accessible - Assistive listening devices are available. To request a sign language interpreter or for help with other special needs, call 617.536.5400 x2295 or 617.536.7855 (TTY) at least two weeks before the program.

For program information, please call 781-648-1245.

Tawassul recently held its first Student Music Initiative benefit concert

With a grant from the Berklee Performance Center, Tawassul, ADCMA brought Marcel Khalife to Boston with his Taqasim of Mahmouud Darwich Poetry. The event was a benefit concert to bring two students from the Edward Said National Music Conservatory in Palestinefor a 5 week summer program at the Berklee College of Music, summer 2008.

Though born in Lebanon, Marcel Khalife -UNESCO Artist for Peace - is a cultural icon throughout the Arab World. Perhaps no other contemporary artist has so changed the face of Arab music. Classically trained on the Oud (lute) at the National Academy of Music in Beirut, Khalife refused to be limited by the rigidity of tradition, thus significantly expanding the possibilities of Arab Music. Yet for such an innovative composer, Khalife is amazingly popular. In almost any corner of the Arabic speaking world it is not unusual to find audiences numbering in the thousands singing along with Khalife.

Our first ever Boston Palestine Film Festival (BPFF) was an unqualified success!

From its spectacular opening Saturday, September 29, to its jubilant conclusion Sunday, October 7, the first annual Boston Palestine Film Festival left even its organizers surprised by the overwhelming response.

Bo Smith, director of the MFA Film Program, called the nine days of screenings "phenomenal."

“Our goal all along was to showcase films that contain authentic Palestinian perspectives, experiences and culture,” said festival organizer Michael Rainho. “We feel that we succeeded in this and beyond.”

Tawassul was overjoyed to see that many of the films played to capacity crowds and that a good number of attendees appeared to be exposed to the issues and culture of Palestine for the first time.