Newspaper Page Text
The Champion, Thursday, April 21 - 27, 2016
LIFESTYLE
Page 7B
Festival from page 6B
in spite of religious and cultural differences.”
“It is a beautiful and diverse culture that
we’re very proud of,” added Khoury.
The festival includes food from local Arab
restaurants, live entertainment—including
musical performances, dancing and poetry
readings—a market featuring goods from
Arab countries, educational exhibits and
more. There is a flag ceremony during which
flags of all Arab nations, and the American
flag, are presented.
Children’s rides, carnival style games and
activities for all ages, including backgammon
and other traditional board games are also a
part of the event.
Festivalgoers can create their own arts
and crafts and have their names written in
Arabic calligraphy. Experts will be present to
create temporary henna tattoo designs on
hands and faces. Henna “tattoos” are dyes
or stains created with a henna paste that
usually fade completely within four weeks.
The Souk, or marketplace, will feature
such items as books, arts and crafts,
paintings, groceries, rugs, jewelry, traditional
home accessories and traditional Arab
clothes.
Entertainment will include folk dances,
singing, storytelling, traditional fashion
shows and musical performances. “The
music isn’t just traditional Arab music,”
Khoury explained. “Festivalgoers can hear
the music young people from Arab nations
are listening to today.”
Khoury estimates that more than
80,000 people of Arab decent live in
Georgia—primarily in the Atlanta area—but
approximately 50 to 60 percent of those who
attend the festival aren’t of Arab descent.
“Some of the visitors have been exposed
to Arab culture before through travel or
people they know. Others have had no
exposure to Arab culture, but are curious
about it. People want to come and learn
about a culture different from their own, but
they also want to enjoy all the festival has to
offer. It’s like vacationing in other countries
without leaving home,” she said.
Among the most popular areas are the
cultural, folk art, fine art, and educational
exhibits, where those in attendance can
learn facts about the Arab culture and Arab-
Americans. “One of the exhibits showcases
famous Arab-Americans. Many people are
surprised that some famous entertainers,
sports figures, politicians and other
prominent people have Arab roots,” Khoury
said.
Americans of Arab descent include
Steve Jobs, founder of Apple Inc.; NFL
player Doug Flutie, actress Kathy Najimy,
journalist/White House correspondent Helen
Thomas, actor-singer and philanthropist
Danny Thomas and his actress daughter
Mario Thomas.
This year’s Atlanta Arab Festival will
be April 23 and 24 at Alif Institute, 3288
Marjan Drive, Atlanta. The festival is open
11 a.m.-7 p.m. on Saturday and noon-6 p.m.
on Sunday. Admission is $5 and free for
children younger than 12.