Join us on September 16th at Boston Public Library for an evening celebrating Arabic poetry and music!

CAC is thrilled to be partnering with Her Story Is and Black Ocean Press in hosting this free event, which is to mark the launch of “I Drag My Sorrow by His Collar,” the first volume of the upcoming Arabic/English poetry series “Songs for Fairuz: New Arab Women’s Poetry.”

This unique event will also feature musical performances by CAC’s own Alma Richeh (Guest Vocalist) and Layan Hawila (Oud).

Oud Performance - Layan Hawila

Layan Hawila is a Palestinian Oud player and singer. Born and raised in Haifa, she has been performing for over twelve years. Now in her second year at Berklee College of Music under the guidance of renowned virtuosic Oud player and composer professor Simon Shaheen, she is pursuing a double major in Music Therapy and Performance, becoming the first Oud principal in Berklee’s history to major in Music Therapy. Passionate about the healing power of music, Layan also serves as a Berklee Student Ambassador and President of the Music Therapy Club, where she works to inspire connection, creativity, and compassion through Music.

Guest Vocalist - Alma Richeh

Alma Richeh is CAC’s Executive Director, and she is also the founder and director of the CAC Children’s Choir as well as CAC’s Jazal Choir. She has studied classical Arabic and opera singing in Syria, and was the conductor of Al Farah Choir youth division, a national choir in Damascus for 8 years. She led the choir in many national and regional concerts, among them were fundraising events for humanitarian causes and children’s rights.