Liverpool Arab Arts Festival nominated for the UK's largest Diversity Awards

AFTER a spectacular 9 days of events, the Liverpool Arab Arts Festival is over for another year, and the team can reflect on what they believe is the most successful festival to date, including record breaking audience numbers, over 20 events, 40 performances and a diverse programme spanning music, dance, film, theatre, literature, workshops, discussions and family events.  Topping off the post festival celebrations, is the organisation's nomination for the 'Community Organisation Award; Race, Religion and Faith' at 'The 2015 National Diversity Awards', the largest diversity awards of its kind.  The awards celebrate some of the excellent and inspiring achievements of positive role models and community organisations from across the UK, and aim to recognise nominees in their respective fields of diversity including age, disability, gender, race, faith, religion and sexual orientation.  Liverpool Arab Arts Festival are now looking for supporting nominations to reach the shortlist for the awards. Taher Qassim, Chair of Liverpool Arab Arts Festival said:- "We are hoping that our audiences, artists, partners and the people of this good City and beyond, will help us through to the next stage of the awards. It would be fantastic if our contribution to the knowledge and understanding of the life, society and culture of Arab people was acknowledged in this way."

Liverpool Arab Arts Festival was founded in 1998 by Liverpool Arabic Centre and the Bluecoat to provide Arab arts and culture in Liverpool. Over the years this partnership has grown to include most of the major arts institutions in the Cityincluding the Unity Theatre, Picturehouse at FACT, National Museums Liverpool and Liverpool Philharmonic Hall as well as artists and community organisations. The 1st festival took place in 2002 and it has run annually since that date as a celebratory event raising awareness and promoting an understanding and appreciation of Arabic culture for both Arab and non-Arab audiences in Liverpool and beyond. The festival has grown rapidly over the years in size, confidence, expectation and ambition and remains the only annual festival of its kind in the UK.

The ceremony will be held in Liverpool Anglican Cathedral on September 18th. Britain's most inspirational and selfless people will come together to honour the rich tapestry of our nation, recognising individuals and groups from grass roots communities who have contributed to creating a more diverse and inclusive society.  Paul Sesay, Chief Executive of The National Diversity Awards said:- "It is an honour to witness the extraordinary journeys of Britain's unsung diversity heroes, and we will continue to recognise their extraordinary achievements during 2015. I know another fantastic spectacle of role models will be delivered and recognised this year."

Nominations are now open and close 21 June 2015; so don't miss out on your chance to get involved!  Shortlisted nominees will be announced shortly after this date.  To nominate Liverpool Arab Arts Festival please visit:- NationalDiversityAwards.Co.UK.

Book Worms Take Note! Unique Book Fair to be held in Central Library - Liverpool!

LIVERPOOL Book Art and Liverpool City Council will showcase a unique fair of artists' books in Liverpool's beautiful refurbished Central Library on Friday 3 and Saturday, 4 July 2015.  The work from over 40 artists will range from unique bindings through fine press limited editions to altered books and sculptural work.   David Stoker, Central Library and Archive Manager said:- "We are delighted to host the Artists' Book Fair in the magnificent surroundings of Liverpool Central Library. The range of work on display will be highly interesting, intriguing and imaginative and of a high quality. It is very fitting that the fair should take place here and I am sure that it will attract a lot of interest and build on the success of last year."  Founded by former Chairman of the Bluecoat Simon Ryder, the fair is now in its 2nd year following a successful debut last year.  Simon said:- "Liverpool has a fantastic arts scene, and also has storytelling at the heart of its culture so it will be really exciting to bring all these elements together in this unique fair. I'm delighted to be able to present the strength and creativity of the talent in Liverpool and the surrounding region, with a significant number of local artists being selected from an extremely high standard of competition. I established Liverpool Book Art because of my passion for Artists' Books. I've been attending fairs and exhibitions dedicated to artists' books across the UK for a number of years, discovering, exploring, acquiring and getting engrossed in long conversations! The fair presents a rare opportunity to meet artists who make 'book art' and to buy directly from them."  Works range from under £5 to several hundred pounds.