In conversation with Simona Abdallah: Finding Freedom Through Art, in partnership with Savera UK

**content warning - discussion of domestic and ‘honour’-based abuse, forced marriage and misogyny**

Savera UK, in partnership with Liverpool Arab Arts Festival welcomes internationally recognised percussionist Simona Abdallah to Liverpool for an afternoon of thought-provoking conversation intertwined with Simona’s powerful performances on the darbuka, a hand-played traditional percussion instrument.

Simona is one of the first female percussionists of Arab heritage to achieve international recognition on the darbuka – an instrument traditionally dominated by men.

Our discussion will explore the patriarchal constraints that Simona faced in embracing the darbuka, her personal story in which her family attempted to force her into an array of marriages, and how she overcame those challenges to find freedom and success through her art.

The conversation will be hosted by Sara Suliman, a UK-based Sudanese filmmaker, Chevening scholar, researcher, producer, director and a member of the LAAF board of directors. The event will feature a welcome from Savera UK CEO & Founder, Afrah Qassim, conversation, live acoustic performances and a Q&A session.

Savera UK is a Merseyside-based national charity working to end ‘honour’-based abuse (HBA) and other harmful practices, including forced marriage, spiritual abuse and conversion ‘therapy’. It provides lifesaving and life-changing services for survivors and those at risk, regardless of age, culture, ethnicity, disability, sexuality, or gender. It also provides help and advice for professionals, training and education and research.