Love missive penned by Ali Chahrour, 'Iza Hawa', focuses on the tumultuous Beirut, expressing deep affection.
In April 2024, Iza Hawa, a dance piece created by choreographer and theatremaker Ali Chahrour, will be presented as part of HAU's 'Love is a Verb - A Festival on Ways of Relating' in Berlin. The performance revolves around themes of love, aging, and human feelings, and explores a unique love relationship between a couple and the city of Beirut.
Iza Hawa features iconic Lebanese actors Roger Assaf and Hanane Hajj Ali, who portray a couple that has been married for 30 years and has experienced Beirut's various stages, including its collapse, golden age, and current demise. The performance is a tribute to Beirut and serves as a final declaration of love for the city.
Refaat Alareer, a Palestinian writer, emphasized the importance of sharing stories, even in the face of death, as a form of resistance. Alareer wrote, "If I must die, / you must live / to tell my story", which the speaker interprets as a call to perform the stories. The performance of Iza Hawa can be seen as a form of resistance and a way to honor Alareer's call.
The performance serves as a means to share the experiences and stories of the people from Lebanon, particularly from the south of Lebanon. Iza Hawa is not designed with specific consideration for an international audience's familiarity with Beirut, making it a raw and authentic portrayal of the city and its people.
The title Iza Hawa can be translated as "if one loves" and "if one falls", reflecting the tumultuous relationship between the couple and their city, Beirut. The speaker believes that the quality of their resistance lies in creating the best performance they can, making Iza Hawa a must-see for theatre, art, and dance enthusiasts.
The performance dates for Iza Hawa at HAU are April 17 and 18, starting at 20:30. Due to recent events in Palestine and Lebanon, the significance of Iza Hawa in Berlin is heightened, making it a powerful and poignant event not to be missed. However, the speaker expresses concern about discussing the genocide in Germany, suggesting potential censorship. Despite this, the role of theatre, art, and dance, according to the speaker, is to make these stories heard by the world and by governments.
Read also:
- Impact of Alcohol on the Human Body: Nine Aspects of Health Alteration Due to Alcohol Consumption
- Understanding the Concept of Obesity
- Tough choices on August 13, 2025 for those born under Aquarius? Consider the advantages and disadvantages to gain guidance
- Microbiome's Impact on Emotional States, Judgement, and Mental Health Conditions
