With a profound belief that artists bear the responsibility to witness and that art is an integral part of life, Susan Abulhawa, the internationally-acclaimed writer, weaves together history, activism and fiction. In this first episode of Tarwida, join us for an insightful conversation with Susan as we explore her multifaceted journey and discover how we can read our way into the depths of Palestinian culture. 

This episode is hosted by Afaf Shawwa Bibi. Tarwida’s lead producer is Tala Elissa and is co-produced by Lobna Monieb. Our Executive Producer is Zina Jardaneh. Social Media by Kiera Doherty. Brand design by Sara Sukhun. Theme music includes excerpts from Clarissa Bitar, The Popular Art Centre - مركز الفن الشعبي & Rim Banna.

This episode was recorded on August 27th, 2024.

Tarwida is a series of conversations that bring Palestinian arts, culture and heritage to the forefront. We hear from artists including writers, filmmakers, musicians, architects, culinary practitioners and more about their very own Palestine.  

In a nutshell, if you want to know more about (Creative) Palestine, this is the place to be.
Follow us on @tarwidapodcast

If you have been listening to the Tarwida Podcast, we want to know who you are, hear your thoughts and feedback. We welcome any suggestions for next guests or topics!  Help us understand you better by filling this short survey linked below, it won’t take more than 5 minutes. We promise you a coffee next time we see you. Thank you!

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Relevant links and resources:

- Follow Susan Abulhawa
- Palestine Writes Festival

Buy Susan’s books through this link:

- Mornings in Jenin, 2006

- My Voice Sought the Wind, 2013

- The Blue Between Sky and Water, 2015

- Against the Loveless World, 2019

Tarwida is hosted by Afaf Shawwa Bibi. Lead producer is Tala Elissa and Lobna Monieb is our co-producer. Our Executive Producer is Zina Jardaneh. Social Media by Kiera Doherty. Brand design by Sara Sukhun. Theme music includes excerpts from Clarissa Bitar, The Popular Art Centre - مركز الفن الشعبي & Rim Banna. 

If you have been listening to the Tarwida Podcast, we want to know who you are, hear your thoughts and feedback. We welcome any suggestions for next guests or topics!  Help us understand you better by filling this short survey linked below, it won’t take more than 5 minutes. We promise you a coffee next time we see you. Thank you!

Join us as we welcome renowned chef Fadi Kattan to Tarwida, diving deep into his rich family heritage and unique culinary journey. Fadi shares fascinating stories of his upbringing, the profound influence of his Teta’s kitchen, and his commitment to celebrating Palestinian cuisine through his acclaimed restaurants and his book Bethlehem, which celebrates Palestinian flavors and highlights the importance of local artisans and producers.

This episode is hosted by Afaf Shawwa Bibi. Tarwida’s lead producer is Tala Elissa. Our executive producer is Zina Jardaneh. Our associate producer is Zeena Shehadeh. Social media by Leen Karadsheh. Branding by Sara Sukhun. Theme music includes excerpts from Clarissa Bitar, The Popular Art Centre - مركز الفن الشعبي & Rim Banna. 

This conversation was recorded on March 19, 2025.

Tarwida is a series of conversations that bring Palestinian arts, culture and heritage to the I forefront. We hear from artists including writers, filmmakers, musicians, architects, culinary practitioners and more about their very own Palestine.  

In a nutshell, if you want to know more about (Creative) Palestine, this is the place to be. 

Follow us on @tarwidapodcast

If you have been listening to the Tarwida Podcast, we want to know who you are, hear your thoughts and feedback. We welcome any suggestions for next guests or topics!  Help us understand you better by filling this short survey linked below, it won’t take more than 5 minutes. We promise you a coffee next time we see you. Thank you!

--

Relevant links and Resources: 

Follow Fadi Kattan (@fadi.f.kattan) on Instagram 

Order his book, Bethlehem (https://geni.us/bethlehem) 

Visit his restaurants! Akub in London (@akub.london) and Louf in Toronto (@louf.toronto)

If you find yourself in Bethlehem be sure to stay at his boutique hotel Kassa (@kassahotel)

Watch his YouTube series, Teta’s Kitchen

What does it mean to create art under a brutal colonial system? To make beauty in the midst of struggle? In this episode, Palestinian visual artist Nabil Anani reflects on the First Intifada and the experimental spirit it sparked. He shares why art must be rooted in its environment, how creativity becomes a political act, and what it means to shape a visual language that holds memory, place, and defiance at its core.

This episode is hosted by Tala Elissa. Tarwida’s lead producer is Tala Elissa. Our executive producer is Zina Jardaneh. Our associate producer is Zeena Shehadeh. Social media by Leen Karadsheh. Research and copywriting by Dima Sharif. Branding by Sara Sukhun. Theme music includes excerpts from Clarissa Bitar, The Popular Art Centre - مركز الفن الشعبي & Rim Banna. 

This conversation was recorded on April 4, 2025 and is conducted in Arabic. You can find the English transcript through this link. 

Tarwida is a series of conversations that bring Palestinian arts, culture and heritage to the forefront. We hear from artists including writers, filmmakers, musicians, architects, culinary practitioners and more about their very own Palestine.  

In a nutshell, if you want to know more about (Creative) Palestine, this is the place to be. 

Follow us on @tarwidapodcast

If you have been listening to the Tarwida Podcast, we want to know who you are, hear your thoughts and feedback. We welcome any suggestions for next guests or topics!  Help us understand you better by filling this short survey linked below, it won’t take more than 5 minutes. We promise you a coffee next time we see you. Thank you!

--

Relevant links and Resources: 

Follow Nabil Anani on Instagram @na.anani

Check Anani’s artwork on Zayweh

Learn more about the Palestinian Museum’s new edition of New Visions 

Watch Anani working on his latest piece

Buy Anani’s book Palestine, Land and People

Buy Anani’s book The Land and I

Buy Anani’s memoir Emerging to the Light

Join us as we delve into the rich intersections of literature and cinema as we speak with author and film critic Saleem Al Beik. This episode unpacks his unique lens on Palestine, exploring themes of 'return,' the evolution of Palestinian cinema, and the power of documentation in cultural preservation.

This conversation is conducted in Arabic, in celebration of World Arabic Language Day, observed annually on December 18. For our non-Arabic-speaking listeners, you can use this link to read the English transcript.

This episode is hosted by Tala Elissa. Tarwida’s lead producer is Tala Elissa and it is co-produced by Lobna Monieb. Our executive producer is Zina Jardaneh. Social media by Kiera Doherty. Social media video production by Leen Karadsheh. Research by Nadia Roeske. Branding by Sara Sukhun. Theme music includes excerpts from Clarissa Bitar, The Popular Art Centre - مركز الفن الشعبي & Rim Banna.

This episode was recorded on October 2nd, 2024. 

Tarwida is a series of conversations that bring Palestinian arts, culture and heritage to the forefront. We hear from artists including writers, filmmakers, musicians, architects, culinary practitioners and more about their very own Palestine.  

In a nutshell, if you want to know more about (Creative) Palestine, this is the place to be. 

Follow us on @tarwidapodcast

If you have been listening to the Tarwida Podcast, we want to know who you are, hear your thoughts and feedback. We welcome any suggestions for next guests or topics!  Help us understand you better by filling this short survey linked below, it won’t take more than 5 minutes. We promise you a coffee next time we see you. Thank you!

--

Relevant links and Resources: 

• Saleem Al Beik’s Instagram: @saleem.albeik
• Saleem’s website
• Saleem’s 3 novels: Two Tickets to Saffuriyya (2017), Scenario (2019), Ayn Al Deek (2022)
• Romman Magazine
• Watch Wedding in Galilee here
• Watch The Time that Remains here

The views and opinions expressed by guests are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the points of view of the Tarwida Podcast, its hosts, or its team. While we value open dialogue and diverse perspectives, these conversations are not an endorsement or representation of our personal opinions.

As the founder of the Palestine Heirloom Seed Library, Vivien Sansour is dedicated to preserving ancestral seeds and the knowledge they carry. In this episode, she explains why safeguarding these seeds is a powerful act of defiance against erasure and a vital contribution to Palestinian resistance. She also reflects on how reclaiming ancestral practices can inspire both environmental and cultural liberation. 

This episode is hosted by Afaf Shawwa Bibi. Tarwida’s lead producer is Tala Elissa and it is co-produced by Lobna Monieb. Our executive producer is Zina Jardaneh. Social media by Kiera Doherty. Social media video production by Leen Karadsheh. Research by Nadia Roeske. Branding by Sara Sukhun. Theme music includes excerpts from Clarissa Bitar, The Popular Art Centre - مركز الفن الشعبي & Rim Banna.

This episode was recorded on September 9th, 2024. 

Tarwida is a series of conversations that bring Palestinian arts, culture and heritage to the forefront. We hear from artists including writers, filmmakers, musicians, architects, culinary practitioners and more about their very own Palestine.  

In a nutshell, if you want to know more about (Creative) Palestine, this is the place to be. 

Follow us on @tarwidapodcast

If you have been listening to the Tarwida Podcast, we want to know who you are, hear your thoughts and feedback. We welcome any suggestions for next guests or topics!  Help us understand you better by filling this short survey linked below, it won’t take more than 5 minutes. We promise you a coffee next time we see you. Thank you!

--

Relevant links and Resources: 

• Vivien Sansour’s Instagram: @vivien.sansour
• Vivien’s website 
• Laila El Haddad’s Instagram: @gazamom
• Anthony Bourdain’s visit to Palestine

The views and opinions expressed by guests are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the points of view of the Tarwida Podcast, its hosts, or its team. While we value open dialogue and diverse perspectives, these conversations are not an endorsement or representation of our personal opinions.

How would a city enduring genocide appear on a painter’s canvas? In this episode, we explore the world of Palestinian artist Malak Mattar, whose vivid yet haunting creations offer some answers. Malak, who has grown up under siege in Gaza, and whose artwork traveled before she did, shares the importance of art to Palestinian memory and identity. Tune in to learn more about how she deepens her relationship with the city she no longer lives in. 

This episode is hosted by Afaf Shawwa Bibi. Tarwida’s lead producer is Tala Elissa and it is co-produced by Lobna Monieb. Our executive producer is Zina Jardaneh. Social media by Kiera Doherty. Social media video production by Leen Karadsheh. Branding by Sara Sukhun. Theme music includes excerpts from Clarissa Bitar, The Popular Art Centre - مركز الفن الشعبي & Rim Banna.

This episode was recorded on September 27th, 2024. 

Tarwida is a series of conversations that bring Palestinian arts, culture and heritage to the forefront. We hear from artists including writers, filmmakers, musicians, architects, culinary practitioners and more about their very own Palestine.  

In a nutshell, if you want to know more about (Creative) Palestine, this is the place to be. 

Follow us on @tarwidapodcast

If you have been listening to the Tarwida Podcast, we want to know who you are, hear your thoughts and feedback. We welcome any suggestions for next guests or topics!  Help us understand you better by filling this short survey linked below, it won’t take more than 5 minutes. We promise you a coffee next time we see you. Thank you!

--

Relevant links and Resources: 

• Malak Matar’s Instagram: @malakmattarart
• Malak Mattar’s store
• Malak Mattar’s website
• Sitti’s Bird 
• Qattan Foundation’s Instagram: @qattanfoundation
• The Markaz Review article: Malak Mattar - No Words, Only Scenes of Ruin

The views and opinions expressed by guests are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the points of view of the Tarwida Podcast, its hosts, or its team. While we value open dialogue and diverse perspectives, these conversations are not an endorsement or representation of our personal opinions.

From finance to cinema, Farah Nabulsi's transition into an award-winning director has been fueled by her passion for justice. In this episode, we delve into how she discovered filmmaking as a powerful medium for capturing Palestinian realities and discusses the challenges she faced, from filming under occupation, to ensuring that stories and characters are well represented. Join us as Farah inspires us with her insights and dedication to using film as a tool for resisting occupation.

This episode is hosted by Afaf Shawwa Bibi. Tarwida’s lead producer is Tala Elissa and it is co-produced by Lobna Monieb. Our executive producer is Zina Jardaneh. Social media by Kiera Doherty. Branding by Sara Sukhun. Theme music includes excerpts from  Clarissa Bitar, The Popular Art Centre - مركز الفن الشعبي & Rim Banna.

This episode was recorded on September 17th, 2024. 

Tarwida is a series of conversations that bring Palestinian arts, culture and heritage to the forefront. We hear from artists including writers, filmmakers, musicians, architects, culinary practitioners and more about their very own Palestine.  

In a nutshell, if you want to know more about (Creative) Palestine, this is the place to be. 

Follow us on @tarwidapodcast

If you have been listening to the Tarwida Podcast, we want to know who you are, hear your thoughts and feedback. We welcome any suggestions for next guests or topics!  Help us understand you better by filling this short survey linked below, it won’t take more than 5 minutes. We promise you a coffee next time we see you. Thank you!

--

Relevant links and Resources: 

• Farah Nabulsi’s Instagram: @farah.nabulsi
• Oceans for Injustice 
• Saleem Albeik’s review of The Teacher
• Film Lab Palestine
• Palestine Cinema Days
• Check Farah Nabulsi’s films on her website
• The Teacher
• The Present
• Nightmare of Gaza
• Today They Took my Son

With each stitch and surface, Naqsh Collective reimagines the boundaries between craft, architecture, and memory. In this episode, we sit with Nisreen, Nermeen and Shireen Abu Dail, the sisters behind the collective, to reflect on what it means to carry Palestinian identity through form and material— exploring the politics of craft, the aesthetics of resistance, and how their embroidered narratives give new life to heritage in diaspora.

This episode is hosted by Afaf Shawwa Bibi. Tarwida’s lead producer is Tala Elissa. Our executive producer is Zina Jardaneh. Our associate producer is Zeena Shehadeh. Social media by Leen Karadsheh. Research and copywriting by Dima Sharif. Branding by Sara Sukhun. Theme music includes excerpts from Clarissa Bitar, The Popular Art Centre - مركز الفن الشعبي & Rim Banna. 

This conversation was recorded on March 12, 2025.

Tarwida is a series of conversations that bring Palestinian arts, culture and heritage to the forefront. We hear from artists including writers, filmmakers, musicians, architects, culinary practitioners and more about their very own Palestine.  

In a nutshell, if you want to know more about (Creative) Palestine, this is the place to be. 

Follow us on @tarwidapodcast

If you have been listening to the Tarwida Podcast, we want to know who you are, hear your thoughts and feedback. We welcome any suggestions for next guests or topics!  Help us understand you better by filling this short survey linked below, it won’t take more than 5 minutes. We promise you a coffee next time we see you. Thank you!

--

Relevant links and Resources: 

Follow Naqsh on Instagram @naqshcollective

Visit Naqsh Collective’s website

Learn more about Shawl

Learn more about Jhazek ya Shams bridal chest

Learn more about Akka’s Jump 

New York Times’ article featuring Naqsh: A Panorama of Design

Follow Tiraz on Instagram @tirazcentre

Join Naqsh’s collective work to preserve Palestinian embroidery 

When Dr. Ghassan Abu Sittah left after 43 days of working around the clock under constant bombardment in Gaza’s emergency rooms, filmmakers Carol Mansour and Muna Khalidi didn’t think twice before deciding to document his story. In this episode, they discuss A State of Passion, their latest film capturing Dr. Abu Sittah’s harrowing experience. They also reflect on their previous works, Stitching Palestine and Aida Returns. Through their work, Carol and Muna explore the power of film as a tool for advocacy, bearing witness, and preserving Palestinian narratives.

This episode is hosted by Afaf Shawwa Bibi. Tarwida’s lead producer is Tala Elissa. Our executive producer is Zina Jardaneh. Our associate producer is Zeena Shehadeh. Social media by Leen Karadsheh. Branding by Sara Sukhun. Theme music includes excerpts from Clarissa Bitar, The Popular Art Centre - مركز الفن الشعبي & Rim Banna. 

This conversation was recorded on February 15, 2025.

Tarwida is a series of conversations that bring Palestinian arts, culture and heritage to the I forefront. We hear from artists including writers, filmmakers, musicians, architects, culinary practitioners and more about their very own Palestine.  

In a nutshell, if you want to know more about (Creative) Palestine, this is the place to be. 

Follow us on @tarwidapodcast

If you have been listening to the Tarwida Podcast, we want to know who you are, hear your thoughts and feedback. We welcome any suggestions for next guests or topics!  Help us understand you better by filling this short survey linked below, it won’t take more than 5 minutes. We promise you a coffee next time we see you. Thank you!

--

Relevant links and Resources: 

Follow Carol Mansour (@mansourcarol) and Muna Khalidi (@muna_khalidi) on Instagram 

Follow State of Passion (@state.of.passion) on Instagram

Follow Aida Returns on Instagram (@aida_returns) and visit the website

Follow Stitching Palestine (@stitching_palestine) 

In Part II of our episode with acclaimed multidisciplinary artist, Amer Shomali, we delve into The Palestinian Museum and the value it holds in conserving Palestinian arts, culture, and heritage at a time when Palestinian heritage is being erased. Throughout, we discuss the ways Shomali has challenged traditional museum structures, creatively honored the people of Gaza, and launched traveling exhibitions, allowing the diaspora to share Gaza’s story around the world.

This episode is hosted by Afaf Shawwa Bibi. Tarwida’s lead producer is Tala Elissa. Our executive producer is Zina Jardaneh. Social media by Leen Karadsheh. Research and copywriting by Nadia Roeske. Branding by Sara Sukhun. Our associate producer is Zeena Shehadeh. Theme music includes excerpts from Clarissa Bitar, The Popular Art Centre - مركز الفن الشعبي & Rim Banna. 

This conversation was recorded on January 12, 2025, and is the second of a two-part episode. 

Tarwida is a series of conversations that bring Palestinian arts, culture and heritage to the I forefront. We hear from artists including writers, filmmakers, musicians, architects, culinary practitioners and more about their very own Palestine.  

In a nutshell, if you want to know more about (Creative) Palestine, this is the place to be. 

Follow us on @tarwidapodcast

If you have been listening to the Tarwida Podcast, we want to know who you are, and hear your thoughts and feedback. We welcome any suggestions for next guests or topics!  Help us understand you better by filling out this short survey, it won’t take more than 5 minutes. We promise you a coffee next time we see you. Thank you!

--

Relevant links and Resources: 

Follow Amer Shomali on Instagram @amershomali

Visit Amer’s website

Follow The Palestinian Museum on Instagram @palmuseum and visit their website 

Learn more about and participate in the traveling exhibition Gaza Remains the Story

Learn more about This is Not an Exhibition

Contribute to or learn more about The Palestinian Museum Digital Archive

From his acclaimed film The Wanted 18 to his multimedia art featuring the iconic Leila Khaled and the Visit Palestine poster, Amer Shomali takes us through his creative journey with all its twists and turns. In this episode, we explore how he weaves humor, animation, history, and art—not just to document struggles, but to reimagine liberated futures. 

This episode is hosted by Afaf Shawwa Bibi. Tarwida’s lead producer is Tala Elissa. Our executive producer is Zina Jardaneh. Social media by Leen Karadsheh. Research and copywriting by Nadia Roeske. Branding by Sara Sukhun. Theme music includes excerpts from Clarissa Bitar, The Popular Art Centre - مركز الفن الشعبي & Rim Banna. Intro music by Terez Sliman. 

This conversation was recorded on January 12, 2025, and is the first of a two-part episode. 

Tarwida is a series of conversations that bring Palestinian arts, culture and heritage to the forefront. We hear from artists including writers, filmmakers, musicians, architects, culinary practitioners and more about their very own Palestine.  

In a nutshell, if you want to know more about (Creative) Palestine, this is the place to be. 

Follow us on @tarwidapodcast

If you have been listening to the Tarwida Podcast, we want to know who you are, hear your thoughts and feedback. We welcome any suggestions for next guests or topics!  Help us understand you better by filling this short survey linked below, it won’t take more than 5 minutes. We promise you a coffee next time we see you. Thank you!

--

Relevant links and Resources: 

Follow Amer Shomali on Instagram @amershomali

Visite Amer’s website

Learn more about The Icon- Leila Khaled 

Learn more about Visit Palestine poster 

Watch The Wanted 18 trailer

Follow The Palestinian Museum on Instagram @palmuseum

Maysoon Zayid doesn’t just tell jokes—she breaks barriers. In this episode of Tarwida, the trailblazing comedian, writer, and disability advocate talks about navigating the world as a disabled Palestinian woman in such critical times. With her signature wit and raw honesty, Maysoon reminds us that laughter can be a powerful weapon—and that some things are too important not to joke about.

This episode is hosted by Afaf Shawwa. Tarwida’s lead producer is Tala Elissa. Our executive producer is Zina Jardaneh. Social media by Leen Karadsheh. Research and copywriting by Nadia Roeske. Branding by Sara Sukhun. Theme music includes excerpts from Clarissa Bitar, The Popular Art Centre - مركز الفن الشعبي & Rim Banna.

This episode was recorded on December 21st, 2024. 

Tarwida is a series of conversations that bring Palestinian arts, culture and heritage to the forefront. We hear from artists including writers, filmmakers, musicians, architects, culinary practitioners and more about their very own Palestine.  

In a nutshell, if you want to know more about (Creative) Palestine, this is the place to be. 

Follow us on @tarwidapodcast

If you have been listening to the Tarwida Podcast, we want to know who you are, hear your thoughts and feedback. We welcome any suggestions for next guests or topics!  Help us understand you better by filling this short survey linked below, it won’t take more than 5 minutes. We promise you a coffee next time we see you. Thank you!

--

Relevant links and Resources: 

Follow Maysoon Zayid on Instagram @maysoonzayid

Watch Maysoon’s 2014 Ted Talk 

Buy Shiny Misfits through Amazon

Listen to Shiny Misfits on Audible

Follow Dean Obediallah on Instagram @deanobeidallah

Learn more about the history behind New York’s Arab American Comedy Festival 

Book Maysoon for your event or workshop through this link

The views and opinions expressed by guests are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the points of view of the Tarwida Podcast, its hosts, or its team. While we value open dialogue and diverse perspectives, these conversations are not an endorsement or representation of our personal opinions.

In this episode of Tarwida, we talk to Palestinian singer Rola Azar, whose music beautifully balances the past and present, blending the traditional with the modern. For Rola, music isn’t just art—it’s life. She shares memories of growing up in Nazareth, where she’d lose herself in the melodies of the city’s neighborhoods, learning not just to sing but to uncover the stories behind the songs. Join us as Rola reflects on her journey, the power of music in preserving Palestinian identity, and what inspires her to carry Palestine in every note.

This episode is hosted by Tala Elissa. Tarwida’s lead producer is Tala Elissa and it is co-produced by Lobna Monieb. Our executive producer is Zina Jardaneh. Social media by Leen Karadsheh. Research by Nadia Roeske. Branding by Sara Sukhun. Theme music includes excerpts from Clarissa Bitar, The Popular Art Centre - مركز الفن الشعبي & Rim Banna.

This episode was recorded on 2nd of October, 2024 and is conducted in Arabic. For our non-Arabic-speaking listeners, you can find an English transcript through this link. 

Tarwida is a series of conversations that bring Palestinian arts, culture and heritage to the forefront. We hear from artists including writers, filmmakers, musicians, architects, culinary practitioners and more about their very own Palestine.  

In a nutshell, if you want to know more about (Creative) Palestine, this is the place to be. 

Follow us on @tarwidapodcast

If you have been listening to the Tarwida Podcast, we want to know who you are, hear your thoughts and feedback. We welcome any suggestions for next guests or topics!  Help us understand you better by filling this short survey linked below, it won’t take more than 5 minutes. We promise you a coffee next time we see you. Thank you!

--

Relevant links and Resources: 

• Follow Rola Azar on Instagram @rola.azar
• Subscribe to Rola’s YouTube channel 
• Listen to Ikhla’a Na’alaka ya Mousa
• Listen to Intathiri
• Learn more about Tawfiq Zayyad- Sumud, crucifixion, and poetry: The life of Palestinian leader Tawfiq Zayyad
• Watch Alternative Silence by Le trio Jubran
• Listen to Shamali Tarwida by Al Funoun Dance Troupe

The views and opinions expressed by guests are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the points of view of the Tarwida Podcast, its hosts, or its team. While we value open dialogue and diverse perspectives, these conversations are not an endorsement or representation of our personal opinions.

Throughout her works, Dana Barqawi employs diverse media including photography, paint, gold, and flowers to craft a vivid portrayal of Palestine. She seeks to deconstruct biased narratives and colonial histories, reclaiming the agency of Palestinians. While maintaining a captivating aesthetic, the artist reveals the painful story of a colonial past and the ongoing struggle for justice. Tune in to discover what drives Dana Barqawi and how she views art as a powerful tool for decolonization.

This episode is hosted by Afaf Shawwa. Tarwida’s lead producer is Tala Elissa and it is co-produced by Lobna Monieb. Our executive producer is Zina Jardaneh. Social media by Leen Karadsheh. Research by Nadia Roeske. Branding by Sara Sukhun. Theme music includes excerpts from Clarissa Bitar, The Popular Art Centre - مركز الفن الشعبي & Rim Banna.

This episode was recorded on October 1st, 2024. 

Tarwida is a series of conversations that bring Palestinian arts, culture and heritage to the forefront. We hear from artists including writers, filmmakers, musicians, architects, culinary practitioners and more about their very own Palestine.  

In a nutshell, if you want to know more about (Creative) Palestine, this is the place to be. 

Follow us on @tarwidapodcast

If you have been listening to the Tarwida Podcast, we want to know who you are, hear your thoughts and feedback. We welcome any suggestions for next guests or topics!  Help us understand you better by filling this short survey linked below, it won’t take more than 5 minutes. We promise you a coffee next time we see you. Thank you!

--

Relevant links and Resources: 

• Follow Dana Barqawi on Instagram: @dana_barqawi
• Buy Dana Barqawi’s prints
• Visit Dana’s studio by leaving her a message through this link
• She Refused her White Man’s Burden
• It takes a Village
• The Palestine Poster Project Archives
• How the sun of Palestine reached a Black Panther in jail
• Follow Brahim Jawabreh on Instagram: @brahimjawabrehgallery
• Follow Al Barakeh Wheat on Instagram: @albarakehwheat
• Before Their Diaspora: A Photographic History of the Palestinians 1876-1948
• Intro song by Rima Khsheish (a cover for Sayyed Darwish’s El Shayaleen)

The views and opinions expressed by guests are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the points of view of the Tarwida Podcast, its hosts, or its team. While we value open dialogue and diverse perspectives, these conversations are not an endorsement or representation of our personal opinions.

Join us as we explore the deep, mystical, and symbolic connection between the sea and Palestinians, particularly Gazans. In this episode, we meet filmmaker Asma Bseiso, whose latest work, The Seven Waves, holds profound historical significance as the last film to document Gaza before the genocide. The film follows the stories of Beesan, a professional rower, and Muhammad a fisherman and lifeguard. Through narrating their stories, Asma shares with us her boundless love for the sea and its people, her passion for filmmaking, and her unwavering devotion to Palestine.

This episode is hosted by Tala Elissa. Tarwida’s lead producer is Tala Elissa and it is co-produced by Lobna Monieb. Our executive producer is Zina Jardaneh. Social media by Leen Karadsheh. Research by Nadia Roeske. Branding by Sara Sukhun. Theme music includes excerpts from Clarissa Bitar, The Popular Art Centre - مركز الفن الشعبي & Rim Banna.

This episode was recorded on August 17th, 2024. 

Tarwida is a series of conversations that bring Palestinian arts, culture and heritage to the forefront. We hear from artists including writers, filmmakers, musicians, architects, culinary practitioners and more about their very own Palestine.  

In a nutshell, if you want to know more about (Creative) Palestine, this is the place to be. 

Follow us on @tarwidapodcast

If you have been listening to the Tarwida Podcast, we want to know who you are, hear your thoughts and feedback. We welcome any suggestions for next guests or topics!  Help us understand you better by filling this short survey linked below, it won’t take more than 5 minutes. We promise you a coffee next time we see you. Thank you!

--

Relevant links and Resources: 

• Asma Bseiso’s instagram @asmabseiso
• Watch The Seven Waves trailer
• Watch Lissa Aisha’s trailer
• Listen to Yusor Hamed on Spotify
• The Palestinian Museum’s exhibition about Palestine’s sea

The views and opinions expressed by guests are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the points of view of the Tarwida Podcast, its hosts, or its team. While we value open dialogue and diverse perspectives, these conversations are not an endorsement or representation of our personal opinions.

In this episode of Tarwida, we speak with architects Sandi Hilal and Alessandro Petti, co-founders of DAAR—Decolonizing Architecture Art Residency. From refugee camps to schools and public spaces, Hilal and Petti reimagine space not as a neutral container, but as a political and historical actor. We explore how architecture can be a site of decolonial resistance, of imagination and repair, and what it means to practice architecture in Palestine, beyond the frameworks imposed by occupation. 

This episode is hosted by Afaf Shawwa Bibi. Tarwida’s lead producer is Tala Elissa. Our executive producer is Zina Jardaneh. Our associate producer is Zeena Shehadeh. Social media by Leen Karadsheh. Research and copywriting by Dima Sharif. Branding by Sara Sukhun. Theme music includes excerpts from Clarissa Bitar, The Popular Art Centre - مركز الفن الشعبي & Rim Banna. 

This episode was recorded on April 9, 2025. 

Tarwida is a series of conversations that bring Palestinian arts, culture and heritage to the forefront. We hear from artists including writers, filmmakers, musicians, architects, culinary practitioners and more about their very own Palestine.  

In a nutshell, if you want to know more about (Creative) Palestine, this is the place to be. 

Follow us on @tarwidapodcast

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Relevant links and Resources: 

• Follow DAAR on instagram @decolonizing.ps
• Visit DAAR’s website
• Listen to Gaza Reconstruction Reality Check with Abed Kittana
• Learn more about Spaciocide- From “Spacio-cide” to Genocide: The War on Gaza and Western Indifference
• Buy Sandi and Alessandro’s book: Architecture After Revolution 
• Read more on The reconstruction of Al-Nada social housing in Gaza
• Learn more about DAAR’s academic course on Encampments

The views and opinions expressed by guests are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the points of view of the Tarwida Podcast, its hosts, or its team. While we value open dialogue and diverse perspectives, these conversations are not an endorsement or representation of our personal opinions.

With a profound belief that artists bear the responsibility to witness and that art is an integral part of life, Susan Abulhawa, the internationally-acclaimed writer, weaves together history, activism and fiction. In this first episode of Tarwida, join us for an insightful conversation with Susan as we explore her multifaceted journey and discover how we can read our way into the depths of Palestinian culture. 

This episode is hosted by Afaf Shawwa Bibi. Tarwida’s lead producer is Tala Elissa. Our executive producer is Zina Jardaneh. Our associate producer is Zeena Shehadeh. Social media by Leen Karadsheh. Research and copywriting by Dima Sharif. Branding by Sara Sukhun. Theme music includes excerpts from Clarissa Bitar, The Popular Art Centre - مركز الفن الشعبي & Rim Banna. 

This episode was recorded on August 27th, 2024. 

Tarwida is a series of conversations that bring Palestinian arts, culture and heritage to the forefront. We hear from artists including writers, filmmakers, musicians, architects, culinary practitioners and more about their very own Palestine.  

In a nutshell, if you want to know more about (Creative) Palestine, this is the place to be. 

Follow us on @tarwidapodcast

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Relevant links and Resources: 

• Susan’s Instagram 
• Playgrounds for Palestine
• Palstine Writes 
• Buy Susan’s books through this link: 
  - Mornings in Jenin, 2006
  - My Voice Sought the Wind, 2013
  - The Blue Between Sky and Water, 2015
  - Against the Loveless World, 2019

In this episode of Tarwida, we revisit the life and legacy of George Qurmoz, a Palestinian composer and musician whose work became a soundtrack of resistance. We trace his journey through music collectives and movements, exploring how his melodies echoed not just melodies, but entire emotional geographies.

This episode was originally published on November 28, 2024 and is produced by Dom Tak, a Sowt Production podcast dedicated to Arabic music. 

Tarwida is a series of conversations that bring Palestinian arts, culture and heritage to the forefront. We hear from artists including writers, filmmakers, musicians, architects, culinary practitioners and more about their very own Palestine.  

In a nutshell, if you want to know more about (Creative) Palestine, this is the place to be. 

Follow us on @tarwidapodcast

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Relevant links and Resources: 

• Listen to Geroge Qurmoz’s songs
• Listen to Dom Tak’s episode on the initfada tapes 
• Browse George Qurmoz’s pictures from the 70’s 
• Follow Dom Tak on Instagram 

Palestinian composer and pianist Rima Nasir Tarazi reflects on her extraordinary life, sharing wisdom shaped by 93 years of personal and political challenges. Despite everything she’s witnessed, or perhaps because of it, Rima still holds a remarkable grit for life. In this episode she reminds us to remain hopeful and shares with us her enduring love for music and how it has served as a powerful vehicle for both self-expression and social activism. 

Aside from her musical career, Rima has also held important leadership and founding roles in several Palestinian institutions including Edward Said National Conservatory of Music, Birzeit University, the YWCA, Inaash Al Usra.  

This episode is hosted and produced by Tala Elissa. Our executive producer is Zina Jardaneh. Our associate producer is Zeena Shehadeh. Social media by Leen Karadsheh. Research and copywriting by Dima Sharif. Branding by Sara Sukhun. Theme music includes excerpts from Clarissa Bitar, The Popular Art Centre - مركز الفن الشعبي & Rim Banna. 

This episode was recorded on the 2nd of July, 2025.

Tarwida is a series of conversations that bring Palestinian arts, culture and heritage to the forefront. We hear from artists including writers, filmmakers, musicians, architects, culinary practitioners and more about their very own Palestine.  

In a nutshell, if you want to know more about (Creative) Palestine, this is the place to be. 

Follow us on @tarwidapodcast

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Songs Included by Rima Nasir Tarazi and sung by Tania Tamari Nasir:

• Hania
• Song of the Bird
• Isma'u Yakhwani (My Children's Story)
• Ughufuri Lana Ya Ummah (Forgive us Mother)
• Ila Mata (Until When)

Relevant links and Resources: 

• You can listen to Rima’s music on Spotify, Apple Music, or YouTube
• To learn more about Rima and see the photos she generously donated to the Palestinian Archive, check out this link. 
• You can read more about Samiha Khalil  through this link

Creative director, activist, and storyteller Alana Hadid joins us for an in-depth conversation, sharing her earliest memories of growing up in a Palestinian-American family, the influence of her family members, and how she navigates social media algorithms to educate and raise awareness. We also discuss her involvement with Watermelon Pictures as Creative Director and her new podcast, The Seeds FM. From creative resilience to hopes for a freer future, Alana's story is one of passion, courage, and unyielding commitment to her heritage. 

This episode is hosted by Afaf Shawwa Bibi. Tarwida’s lead producer is Tala Elissa. Our executive producer is Zina Jardaneh. Our associate producer is Zeena Shehadeh. Social media by Leen Karadsheh. Research and copywriting by Dima Sharif. Branding by Sara Sukhun. Theme music includes excerpts from Clarissa Bitar, The Popular Art Centre - مركز الفن الشعبي & Rim Banna. 

This episode was recorded on 17th of June, 2025.

Tarwida is a series of conversations that bring Palestinian arts, culture and heritage to the forefront. We hear from artists including writers, filmmakers, musicians, architects, culinary practitioners and more about their very own Palestine.  

In a nutshell, if you want to know more about (Creative) Palestine, this is the place to be. 

Follow us on @tarwidapodcast

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Relevant links and Resources: 

• Follow Alana Hadid on Instagram (@lanzybear) and check out her ‘donate’ highlight for more information about the charities she works with all the way from Palestine to Sudan and Congo
• Check out Watermelon Pictures and subscribe to Watermelon +
• Listen to Alana’s new podcast, The Seeds FM (@theseedsfm) on YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts
• You can watch Walled Off, directed by Vin Arfuso, on Watermelon+. The trailer can be found through this link
• Check out and support some Palestinian-led brands Alana mentioned, Pali Roots and Wear the Peace

From her ceramic sculptures to her time teaching at Birzeit University, Vera Tamari’s work captures the deep ties between culture, resistance, and rootedness. A trailblazer in the Palestinian art scene, Vera was among the first women to exhibit contemporary art in Palestine and has spent decades mentoring new generations of artists. In this conversation, we reflect on the role of women in art and academia, and what it means to reinvent family archives. 

This episode is hosted by Afaf Shawwa Bibi. Tarwida’s lead producer is Tala Elissa. Our executive producer is Zina Jardaneh. Our associate producer is Zeena Shehadeh. Social media by Leen Karadsheh. Research and copywriting by Dima Sharif. Branding by Sara Sukhun. Theme music includes excerpts from Clarissa Bitar, The Popular Art Centre - مركز الفن الشعبي & Rim Banna. 

This episode was recorded on 26th of May, 2025.

Tarwida is a series of conversations that bring Palestinian arts, culture and heritage to the forefront. We hear from artists including writers, filmmakers, musicians, architects, culinary practitioners and more about their very own Palestine.  

In a nutshell, if you want to know more about (Creative) Palestine, this is the place to be. 

Follow us on @tarwidapodcast

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Relevant links and Resources: 

• Read more about Vera Tamari and her work 
• Watch Vera working on Guardians of the Land 
• Tale of a Tree
• Visit Vladimir Tamari’s website
• Buy Tamari’s book Returning
• Learn more about the Palestinian Museum’s new edition of New Visions 
• Explore Birzeit University's collections
• Learn more about Al-Balalin Troupe

Nabil Al Raee, a leader at The Freedom Theater in Jenin, talks about the theater's founding and its role in resisting oppression through storytelling. Despite challenges like funding and political pressure, Nabil highlights global support and hopes for the future of Palestinian art, freedom, and theater. 

This episode is hosted by Afaf Shawwa Bibi. Tarwida’s lead producer is Tala Elissa. Our executive producer is Zina Jardaneh. Our associate producer is Zeena Shehadeh. Social media by Leen Karadsheh. Branding by Sara Sukhun. Theme music includes excerpts from Clarissa Bitar, The Popular Art Centre - مركز الفن الشعبي & Rim Banna. 

This conversation was recorded on May 5, 2025.

Tarwida is a series of conversations that bring Palestinian arts, culture and heritage to the forefront. We hear from artists including writers, filmmakers, musicians, architects, culinary practitioners and more about their very own Palestine.  

In a nutshell, if you want to know more about (Creative) Palestine, this is the place to be. 

Follow us on @tarwidapodcast

If you have been listening to the Tarwida Podcast, we want to know who you are, hear your thoughts and feedback. We welcome any suggestions for next guests or topics!  Help us understand you better by filling this short survey linked below, it won’t take more than 5 minutes. We promise you a coffee next time we see you. Thank you!

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Relevant links and Resources: 

• Learn more about and support The Freedom Theater on their website (https://thefreedomtheatre.org/) and follow them on Instagram (@thefreedomtheater) 
• Follow Nabil Al Raee on Instagram (@alraee.nabil)
• To learn about the history of theater in Palestine you can check out Samer Al-Saber’s book, A Movement’s Promise, and Radi Shehadeh’s book سيرة حكواتي من فلسطين - راضي شحادة
• You can read more about their play, The Siege, here
• Watch Arna’s Children here to learn more about Arna Mer Khamis
• To learn more about one of the founders of The Freedom Theater, Zakaria Zubeidi, you can read this article by the Middle East Eye

Dive into the inspiring journey of Hamza and Badie Ali, the brothers who transformed their passion for film into a mission to reclaim the Palestinian narrative through their production and distribution company, Watermelon Pictures. They delve into their origins, from their grandfather arriving in the U.S. from Palestine in 1935 to the present-day global distribution company they now run. They also speak on their most recent documentary, The Encampments. 

This episode is hosted by Afaf Shawwa Bibi. Tarwida’s lead producer is Tala Elissa. Our executive producer is Zina Jardaneh. Our associate producer is Zeena Shehadeh. Social media by Leen Karadsheh. Branding by Sara Sukhun. Theme music includes excerpts from Clarissa Bitar, The Popular Art Centre - مركز الفن الشعبي & Rim Banna. 

This conversation was recorded on April 21, 2025.

Tarwida is a series of conversations that bring Palestinian arts, culture and heritage to the forefront. We hear from artists including writers, filmmakers, musicians, architects, culinary practitioners and more about their very own Palestine.  

In a nutshell, if you want to know more about (Creative) Palestine, this is the place to be. 

Follow us on @tarwidapodcast

If you have been listening to the Tarwida Podcast, we want to know who you are, hear your thoughts and feedback. We welcome any suggestions for next guests or topics!  Help us understand you better by filling this short survey linked below, it won’t take more than 5 minutes. We promise you a coffee next time we see you. Thank you!

--

Relevant links and Resources: 

Follow Watermelon Pictures (@watermelonpictures) on Instagram and check out their website (watermelonpictures.com)

Subscribe to their new streaming platform, Watermelon Plus  (watch.watermelonpictures.com) 

Watch their new documentary, The Encampments, and support it on Instagram (@theencampments)

Watch the upcoming feature, To a Land Unknown, directed by Mahdi Fleifel 

Check out Jack Shaheen’s study which includes all the mentioned statistics about Arab representation in Hollywood