The afikra Podcast
1) Curator Hiba Abid | Niyū Yūrk at the New York Public Library
Curator of "Niyū Yūrk: Middle Eastern and North African Lives in the City", Hiba Abid, joins us to talk about the exhibition, housed at the New York Public Library's iconic 42nd Street building, which...Show More
2) Bernard Khoury | On Karantina, Solidere & Practicing Architecture in Lebanon
We visited renowned architect Bernard Khoury in his studio in Karantina, who offered a critical, unvarnished look at the reality of practicing architecture in Lebanon, contrasting it with the sugarcoa...Show More
3) Nurturing Authentic Voices in Filmmaking in the Arab World | Rana Kazkaz
We delve into the evolving landscape of filmmaking in the region, the importance of authentic, locally rooted narratives, and the critical role of institutions like the Doha Film Institute in fosterin...Show More
4) "The Future is Not a Grave" With the NYU Institutes | Masha Kirasirova & Tishani Doshi
"The Future Is Not a Grave" is a three-day workshop happening next week at NYUAD which explores futurisms and futurescapes across the MENA, Gulf, and Indian Ocean regions. In this collaborative episod...Show More
5) Sculpting Public Art | Najla El Zein
Award-winning sculptor and artist Najla El Zein is most recently known for her work on a public commission by Qatar Museums for Doha's cultural district — a work titled "Us, her, him". She joins us to...Show More
6) Pressure Cooker: The UAE National Pavilion at the 19th International Architecture Exhibition at the Venice Biennale | Azza Aboualam
We delve into the UAE National Pavilion at the 2025 Venice Biennale, titled "Pressure Cooker" with curator Azza Aboualam. An assistant professor at the College of Arts and Creative Enterprises at Zaye...Show More
7) History of Carpets | Mohamed Maktabi
We visit Maktabi's flagship store in Beirut to unravel the rich history and intricate artistry of carpets. A third-generation carpet dealer from the renowned family behind Iwan Maktabi, Mohamed Maktab...Show More
8) Dust That Never Settles: Literary Afterlives of the Iran-Iraq War | Amir Moosavi
Amir Moosavi discusses the profound impact of the Iran-Iraq War – the longest two-state war of the 20th century – on the literature of both nations. Through his book "Dust That Never Settles: Literary...Show More
9) Yemen as the Global Home of Coffee | Nancy Um
We challenge contemporary perceptions of Yemen as a "backwater" by revealing the pivotal role of its port city, Mocha, in the making of our modern world. Historian Nancy Um delves into the fascinating...Show More
10) Orientalism & Edward Said | Professor Nubar Hovsepian
Author of "Edward Said: The Politics of an Oppositional Intellectual," professor Nubar Hovsepian joins us to delve into the nuanced legacy of Edward Said, exploring common misunderstandings of his wor...Show More