Arabic language takes centre stage at Avignon's 79th theatre festival
12:58
12:58 min
From the show
For three weeks every summer, the streets of the southern French city of Avignon are overrun with performances of all kinds, from classical drama to spontaneous stand-up comedy. FRANCE 24's Olivia Salazar-Winspear went to check out this year's programme, as festival director Tiago Rodrigues invites Arabic-speaking artists to show their work as part of his guest language initiative.
We discuss the multimedia storytelling of "When I saw the Sea", a performance created by Lebanese director Ali Chahrour exploring the injustices and indignities experienced by migrant workers in the "Kafala" system and hear how personal stories give his work powerful emotional authenticity and a universal resonance.
We also hear from Zena, one of his inspiring actresses, and reflect upon the resistance of the Lebanese cultural sector, despite the recent crises the country has endured.
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