Nancy Um, Professor of Art History at Binghamton University, takes us on a journey to discover the stories and myths associated with one of the world’s most-traded commodities: coffee. Join us to explore the global story of the humble coffee bean, from its origins in Ethiopia, to its adoption as [...]
Salma Tuqan, Deputy Director of Delfina Foundation and former Contemporary Middle East Curator at the V&A, provides insights into the thriving and resilient cultural scene in the Levant countries of the Mediterranean, in particular Lebanon, Palestine and Jordan. Salma explores the ways in which the region has faced the challenge [...]
Through the generosity of donors around the world, The Barakat Trust is happy to be able to support the following scholars and projects in 2020: International Scholarships Dina Mneimneh (Lebanese urbanist) to study at University College London (Awarded in 2019, and deferred to 2020). Zahra Khademi (Iranian art historian working [...]
Hagia Sophia has featured in thousands of books and treatises throughout the centuries, many of which have praised the awe-inspiring spaces of this architectural wonder. Yet recently, the building has made headlines for very different reasons, as politics and heritage become entangled. In this week’s podcast, Professor Bissera Pentcheva helps [...]
The Moon has been revered by civilisations all over the world across time. It provides gentle light, sets calendars and regulates the tidal force. Ulrike al-Khamis explores our fascination with this mystical celestial body and looks at the role it has played in faith, science and the arts across the [...]
eL Seed works in the public sphere, for the people and - most of the time - with the people. During this conversation, eL Seed sheds light on his career, his projects democratising art, and on his roots, to reveal the ingredients that form his unique sense of perspective on [...]
Join Dr Sussan Babaie in an illuminating conversation about how we, as societies, deal with misconceptions and stereotypes regarding our own past and cultures. Dr Babaie uses the example of Iran to reflect on these and other issues such as identity, education and the rethinking of cultural boundaries. Sussan [...]
Nixi Cura gives us a comprehensive insight into the different ethnicities and minorities that form modern-day China, and reflects on the importance of trade in building up tolerance and harmonious coexistence within the country. Nixi Cura is a Senior Teaching Fellow at SOAS, University of London. She read East Asian Studies at [...]
The Kaaba is the sanctuary at the heart of Mecca, in present-day Saudi Arabia, where millions of pilgrims head each year, and towards which the world’s 1.8 billion Muslims pray. Join Dr Simon O’Meara for a fascinating conversation about the Kaaba and the different ways Muslims have written about it [...]
Professor Tarek Swelim shares a remarkable period in history full of political conflict, treachery, intrigue and, of course, beauty: Mamluk Egypt. Join us on this inspiring journey to discover the story of this fascinating dynasty. Dr. Tarek Swelim is Associate Professor of Islamic Art and Architecture and Coordinator of [...]
