Loading ...Arab American Museum Partners With U.S. Embassy For Taste Of America Event In Constantine, Algeria
The Arab American National Museum (AANM) partnered with the U.S. Embassy in Algeria to participate in Taste of America: American Week of Culture ̶̶ a series of activities to share American culture with Algerians March 23-28, 2016.
The first-ever Taste of America event in Algeria is a key component in the U.S. Embassy’s program in Constantine, the city named the Capital of Arab Culture for 2015. It offered approximately 5,000 Algerians a sample of America’s diverse cultural landscape through events for all ages, led by AANM staff, American musicians, cultural and academic experts and U.S. Embassy staff.
AANM Director Devon Akmon, AANM Curator of Education and Public Programming Isra El-beshir and AANM Educator and Public Programming Specialist Dave Serio traveled to Constantine, Algeria, to serve as cultural liaisons between America and the Arab World while emphasizing the significance, timeliness and the importance of raising awareness through education.
“The Museum’s photo exhibit, film presentations, talks and interactions with museum professionals had a considerable impact, helping draw approximately 5,000 Algerians to the massive Zenith Theater venue during five days of public programming,” says Joan Polaschik, U.S. Ambassador to Algeria. “The high-caliber programming, which has left a lasting imprint in the east of Algeria and nationwide, would not have been possible without AANM staff’s talents and efforts.”
Taste of America included a variety of performances and other cultural and educational activities that helped to promote a greater understanding between Algeria and the U.S., encouraging a greater appreciation of each nation’s traditions, history and customs and celebrating the contributions of Arab Americans in all aspects of American life. The collaboration highlights the U.S. government’s continued commitment to strengthening U.S.-Algerian cooperation, fostering dialogue and promoting mutual understanding.
The activities kicked off with a reception featuring remarks by Polaschik, and a meet-and-greet with AANM staff members, international press and artists at the Marriott Hotel in Constantine, Algeria.
AANM presented an exhibition, A Yemeni Community: Photographs from the 1970s by Milton Rogovin; two films: the feature film Amreeka (Dir. Cherien Dabis, 2009) and the documentary Reel Bad Arabs (Dr. Jack Shaheen, 2006); as well as presentations on Arab American immigration, history and contributions that were customized to focus on Algerian American communities.
“The Arab American National Museum is uniquely positioned to serve as a cultural liaison between the United States and the Arab World,” says Akmon. “We recognize the importance of bridging communities to provide greater global understanding and our hope is to continue to bring the story of Arab Americans to the global forefront in helping to educate others, dispel stereotypes and promote diversity.”
Akmon and El-beshir presented an interactive session to museum professionals from Constantine and Algiers on the process of creative placemaking and artistic planning, and to show how it fosters growth for cultural and art institutions. This presentation highlighted the different programs at AANM over the course of its 10-year history as well as its incorporation of virtual learning strategies.
A workshop with museum professionals allowed Algerian cultural institutions the opportunity to learn how to raise money, engage with the public through education and understand the complexity of the Arab American identity.
“I was incredibly humbled by the fruitful discussions we had with our films, exhibit and presentations,” says El-beshir. “I walked away from this eye-opening week realizing the incredible potential and impact our work can have, not only locally and nationally, but globally.”
An exhibition and lecture on Arab American immigration in the U.S. featured the ethnic and religious diversity of Arab Americans, the history of Arab immigration to the U.S. since the 1800s, current experiences and Arab American culture. The interactive environment allowed guests to ask questions and better understand the realities of Arab American experiences in the U.S. Guests also received essential insight into the impact of Arab Americans in the areas of science, technology, arts, politics and literature.
The screening of Dr. Jack Shaheen’s documentary film, Reel Bad Arabs, touched upon the depiction of Arab and Arab Americans in Western culture and was followed by an in-depth discussion with AANM staff on the role the media play in perpetuating stereotypes.
The event also included performances and workshops by the jazz/blues band Circular Time from Paris and New York City, the American Spaces Got Talent finals in partnership with Algerian singer Hakim Salhi, as well as an American Studies conference organized in partnership with the Center of Maghrib Studies in Oran, Algeria, Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, AANM and the University of Constantine, Algeria.
The Arab League ̶ through an initiative of The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) ̶ selected Constantine as the Capital of Arab Culture for 2015.The goal of the initiative, part of a broader plan of world cultural capitals, is to promote Arab culture and facilitate Arab collaborations. In 1996, Cairo became the first capital to be selected.
Photos of AANM’s trip to Algeria may be viewed on AANM’s Flickr feed at http://bit.ly/1SAp2O5.