Hekayah | The Story

What does ‘home’ mean to you? Your country, your city, your family? Abu Dhabi is conventionally but accurately described as a melting pot of people from all over the world, and if anything NYU Abu Dhabi represents even more of a mix. Where better then to consider how we’ve all made Abu Dhabi our home in one way or another, with a lineup of poets, spoken word artists, musicians, and storytellers from diverse backgrounds and cultures coming together to celebrate UAE National Day at the 10th annual Hekayah | The Story.

This one-of-a-kind evening in the Black Box, emceed by Reem Almenhali, features a lineup selected by key players in cultural communities across the UAE – The Arts Center’s own Bill Bragin, Reem Allam, and Lana Goliath, with Ali Al Dhiyebi of STR8UP Entertainment; Safeya Alblooshi, sound artist and founder of Resound; and Rawad Raidan, poet, writer and co-host of Abu Dhabi Writer’s Club.

The performers:

Ananya music (India)
Edenojie nusic (Nigeria)
Ibby VK music (Armenia/Syria)
Jaysus Zain spoken word poetry (Sudan)
Jared Maxilom spoken word poetry (Philippines)
Jennah Fakhouri spoken word poetry (Palestine/USA)
Jiire Smith music (Nigeria)
Namal Siddiqui spoken word poetry (Pakistan)
Payel Das dance (India)
Salem Attas spoken word poetry (UAE)
Sreeja Chakra music (India)
Trixie Danielle spoken word poetry (Philippines)

The evening also features the buzzy NYUAD Night Souk – 40 retailers offering locally made artisan products, including handmade soaps, candles, local artwork, jewellery, home décor, pottery and more, plus a food station.