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Tarwida

Tarwida

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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  • 26 episodes
  • fortnightly
  • Avg 56 min
  • English

Episodes 26

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  • #52
    November 2 · 1 hr 4 min

    Growing Up as the Daughter of a Palestinian Martyr | Raeda Taha (Arabic Episode)

    At the age of seven, Palestinian writer and actress Raeda Taha lost her father, Ali Taha, during a plane hijacking operation bound for Tel Aviv. Overnight, she became the daughter of a martyr, an identity that would shape much of her life. Through her plays, Taha challenges the idealization of martyrs, making space for the grief, humour, and everyday struggles of the families they leave behind. We discuss her first original play “Alaki Zayak Fein Ya Ali” and the question that followed her for years: who did her father love more, his daughters or Palestine? Reflecting on her years working with Yasser Arafat, her friendship with Mahmoud Darwish, and her eventual discovery of theatre in her forties, Taha explains how a lifetime of experiences became the material for her work. Finally, we discuss the relationship between Palestinian liberation and women's liberation, the role of art in resistance, and the freedom Taha finds in performing. The episode closes with her aunt Suhaila, who could neither read nor write, and how she confronted Henry Kissinger to recover her brother’s body. This episode was recorded in Arabic on September 25th, 2026. You can watch the episode with English subtitles on YouTube here. This episode is hosted by Tala Elissa. Our associate producers are Zeena Shehadeh and Ahmed Ashour. Lead producer is Tala Elissa. Executive producer is Zina Jardaneh. Social media by Lara Dihmis. Social media VO by Afaf Shawwa Bibi. 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. 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, 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 socials @tarwidapodcast Relevant links & resources: Follow Raeda Taha on Instagram @raedataha Learn more about the rituals of the Palestinian wedding Read more about Palestinian plane hijackers Watch Al Jazeera’s docuseries about the PLO Learn more about the Hebron massacre in 1994

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  • #51
    October 19 · 57 min

    1000 Forgotten Photographs from Gaza | Kegham Djeghalian

    In 1944, Kegham Djeghalian Sr. opened Gaza's first professional photo studio. Decades later, his grandson found ~1,000 negatives in three boxes. On Tarwida, we talk about the archive, why the photos have no captions, and the "unmade archive."

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  • #50
    October 5 · 34 min

    Reimagining Palestinian Architecture | Elias Khuri (Arabic Episode)

    Palestinian architect Elias Khuri joins Tarwida Podcast to discuss architecture as an accumulation of people, places, histories, and knowledge. From his "Noon Insan" installation and his relationship with Elias Khoury and Kamal Boullata, to building around olive trees and restoring Khan Jaljulia, Khuri explores how architecture can preserve relationships with land and history without freezing them in place. He also reflects on the role of language in developing a contemporary Arab architectural

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  • #49
    September 21 · 44 min

    Palestine Through the Eyes of an Architect | Nadi Abusaada

    Architect and historian Nadi Abusaada joins Tarwida Podcast to discuss Palestinian cities through material culture. He explores how Palestinians reconstruct history through the traces that remain, the challenges of curating Palestinian heritage, and why romanticizing the past can obscure the realities of the present.

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  • #48
    September 7 · 52 min

    Archaeology, Architecture & the Politics of Glass | Dima Srouji

    Artist Dima Srouji joins Tarwida Podcast to discuss glassmaking traditions in Jaba' and Hebron, the politics of archaeology in Palestine, her Amman Design Week installation, and reclaiming looted heritage through replication.

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  • #47
    August 26 · 49 min

    The Brush that Carried a Homeland I Sliman Mansour (Rerun)

    Sliman Mansour, the pioneering Palestinian artist whose paintings of olive trees, stone terraces, and steadfast women carried Palestine across generations, passed away this week at 79. In memory of his legacy, we're resharing this conversation, where he looks back on his childhood, his mischief and hardships, and speaks with humor and honesty about what art meant to him.

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  • #44
    June 8 · 48 min

    Palestinian Dabke & Dance as Resistance | El-Funoun

    Noora Baker, Head of Production at El-Funoun Palestinian Dance Troupe, joins Tala Elissa to trace the roots of Palestinian dabke, the troupe's 47-year history, and how dance functions as an act of resistance under occupation. From her first rehearsal during the First Intifada to leading production on El-Funoun's 2025 work Ya Sahib Al-Tayr, Noora reflects on preserving folklore without freezing it, touring under occupation, and why culture cannot wait for calmer times.

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  • #43
    May 25 · 1 hr 30 min

    Makdisi Street x Tarwida Podcast: "They carried a memory in their head" | Dr. Salman Abu Sitta

    Dr. Salman Abu Sitta — founder of the Palestine Land Society and the American University of Beirut's Palestinian Land Studies Center — survived the Nakba and spent 75 years documenting, village by village, the land Palestinians were expelled from. In this conversation with the Makdisi Street Podcast, he discusses oral history, the feasibility of return, Resolution 194, and why 88% of destroyed Palestinian village sites remain vacant. He is among the most important living voices on Palestinian ca

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  • #41
    April 27 · 1 hr 15 min

    How a Palestinian Prisoner Won the Booker Prize | Bassem Khandaqji (Arabic Episode)

    Bassem Khandaqji spent 21 years in Israeli prisons, winning the 2024 International Prize for Arabic Fiction for "A Mask the Colour of the Sky" while still behind bars. Now in exile, the Palestinian novelist speaks to Tarwida Podcast about writing secretly at 4am, smuggling manuscripts out of detention, and how imagination helped him survive and resist. He also introduces Adab al-Ishtibak — Literature of Engagement — and previews his next novel about late fellow prisoner Walid Daqqa.

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  • #40
    April 13 · 55 min

    The Language of Tatreez: How Palestinian Embroidery Became a Symbol of Identity and Artistic Narrative | Joanna Barakat

    Explore the history and cultural significance of Palestinian Tatreez in this interview with artist and author Joanna Barakat, focusing on the evolution of embroidery from a village craft to a global symbol of national identity. Learn about the impact of the Nakba on traditional thob construction, the role of 20th-century artists in preserving indigenous heritage, and the modern transition of Palestinian embroidery into contemporary art and fashion.

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  • #39
    March 30 · 1 hr 11 min

    The Gaza Kitchen: Food, Resistance, and Reclaiming Narrative | Laila El-Haddad

    Critically acclaimed author, journalist, and activist Laila El-Haddad speaks about Gaza’s culinary heritage and how food traditions preserve dignity, agency, and community under siege, famine, and genocide. El-Haddad discusses her ethnographic work on The Gaza Kitchen, the loss of family members including her aunt, Um Hani, her collaboration with Anthony Bourdain, her lawsuit against the Biden administration, and why recipes and foraging knowledge have become tools of survival and resistance.

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  • #38
    March 16 · 49 min

    Zaghareed, Hakawati and Palestinian Storytelling | Sally Shalabi

    Long before books and screens, people relied on storytelling to connect with one another, remember their past, and make sense of the world around them. In this episode, we sit with Palestinian storyteller Sally Shalabi to explore the Palestinian context of this ancient tradition. As she invites us into her craft, we learn how she reimagines and adapts traditional stories to make them resonate with our time. For Sally, storytelling is far more than just entertainment, it helps us imagine what liberation from a settler colonial reality might look like, which is the first step towards building alternative futures. This episode is hosted by Afaf Shawwa Bibi and produced by Tala Elissa. Our executive producer is Zina Jardaneh. Our associate producer is Zeena Shehadeh. Video Editing by Ahmed Ashour. 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 February 24, 2026. You can watch it on YouTube, here. 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 socials @tarwidapodcast Relevant links and Resources: Follow Sally Shalabi on Instagram (@hakawatieh) Visit Sally’s website Listen to Sally’s Zaghareed podcast Watch Sally’s performance وأنا شفت Watch Sally’s Ted Talk Follow Hakaya on Instagram (@hakayanetwork)

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  • #37
    March 2 · 54 min

    Women Artists in Times of War | Lilies of Gaza (Arabic Episode)

    In an effort to preserve and document the work of 22 female artists from Gaza, a book titled Lilies of Gaza was created bringing together their paintings, voices, and stories. In this episode, we speak with the project’s curator, Inas Deeb, alongside artists Rana Batrawi and Mai Shaer, whose works have been featured in the collection. Together, they reflect on what it means to create art an under siege and bombardment, and how they managed to overcome cultural erasure in times of genocide. The book is published by Dar al-Kalima University Press- Rami Zahi Khouri Hub. It is compiled by Inas Deeb and Rana Batrawi, edited by Hidaya Shamun, reviewed by Ehab Bessaiso, designed by Sharif Sarhan, and translated by Wala’a Sabbah. Foreword written by Vera Tamari. This episode is hosted and produced by Tala Elissa. Our executive producer is Zina Jardaneh. Our associate producer is Zeena Shehadeh. Video Editing by Ahmed Ashour. Social media by Leen Karadsheh. Research and copywriting by Dima Sharif. Branding by Sara Sukhun. Special thanks to Power Group Studios- Beit Jala. Theme music includes excerpts from Clarissa Bitar, The Popular Art Centre - مركز الفن الشعبي & Rim Banna. This conversation was recorded on January 17, 2026. You can watch it on YouTube, here. 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 socials @tarwidapodcast -- Relevant links and Resources: Dar Al-Kalima is a Palestinian University located in Bethlehem specialized in Arts, Culture & Design. Visit their website and follow them on Instagram (@daralkalimauniversity) Follow Mai Shaeir on Instagram (@maishaer_art) Check out Rufaida Sehwail’s art Relevant Tarwida Episodes: Listen to our episode with Malak Mattar

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  • #36
    February 16 · 54 min

    Food is Political | Fadi Kattan (Replay)

    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

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  • #35
    February 2 · 36 min

    Palestinian Stand Up Comedy | Alaa Abu Diab (Arabic Episode)

    In this episode of Tarwida, we sit down with Palestinian comedian Alaa Abu Diab for a sharp, poignant, and darkly witty conversation. We talk stand-up comedy as a craft: how jokes are built, why cities develop different humors, and what it means to laugh from inside catastrophe- not as escape, but as confrontation. Alaa also shares insights about his latest shows, including “Virtual Reality”, which is currently touring across Europe and the Arab region. He reflects on how live performance creates an intimate space for collective reflection and release. -- 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 conversation was conducted in Arabic and recorded on November 30, 2025. You can watch it with English subtitles on YouTube 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 socials @tarwidapodcast -- Relevant links and Resources: Follow Alaa Abu Diab on Instagram (@alaabudiab) Book your tickets to Alaa’s upcoming shows Learn more about Ghassan Kanafani Follow Palestinian comedians: Ayman Nahhas Hanna Shammas Relevant Tarwida Episodes: Listen to our episode with Maysoon Zayid

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  • #34
    January 18 · 46 min

    The Voice of Hind Rajab | Kaouther Ben Hania (Arabic Episode)

    When six-year-old Hind Rajab reached out to the Red Cross for help in January 2024, the ambulance car was 8 minutes away from her. She could have been saved, but instead, the Israeli army murdered her and two of the rescuers in cold blood. Her voice went on to haunt millions around the world, standing as a chilling testament to the brutality and impunity with which Israel continues to commit genocide. In an attempt to document and remember Hind, Tunisian filmmaker Kaouther Ben Hania felt compelled to create The Voice of Hind Rajab; an Oscar short-listed film that documents the devastating story. In our conversation, Ben Hania reflects on the ethical and artistic choices behind the film, the responsibilities filmmakers carry when the violence they address has not ended, and the role of cinema as an act of listening. 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 conversation was recorded on December 21, 2025. You can watch it on YouTube, here. 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 socials @tarwidapodcast -- Relevant links and Resources: Follow Kaouther Ben Hania on Instagram (@kaoutharbenhania) Read Forensic Architecture’s investigation on the killing of Hind Rajab. Watch Al Jazeera’s documentary on the killing of Hind Rajab. Watch the trailers of Kaouther Ben Hania’s films: The Voice of Hind Rajab (2025) Four Daughters (Banat Ulfa) (2023) The Man who Sold his Skin (2020) Beauty and the Dogs (2017)

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  • #33
    January 5 · 39 min

    From Nakba to Now: Palestinian Memory, Cinema, and Resistance | Cherien Dabis

    During the 1990 Gulf War, Palestinian filmmaker, writer, and actress Cherien Dabis experienced racism for the first time while living in the United States. These experiences shaped her path toward filmmaking and commitment to Palestinian storytelling. In this episode, we hear more from her about her beginnings and delve into her latest Oscar short-listed feature film, All That’s Left of You, which traces a Palestinian family’s journey from the Nakba of 1948 to 2022, examining intergenerational trauma and life under occupation. Cherien explores In addition to that, we spotlight her other notable works, including Amreeka, Ramy, and Mo, and discuss how comedy and TV have brought the Palestinian story to the American mainstream. 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 conversation was recorded on November 26, 2025. You can watch it on YouTube, here. 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 socials @tarwidapodcast -- Relevant links and Resources: Follow Cherien Dabis on Instagram (@cheriendabis) Get tickets to see Cherien’s new film, All That’s Left of You Watch Cherien’s first feature film, Amreeka (2009) Watch Cherien’s second feature film, May in the Summer (2013) Watch Mo on Netflix Learn more about Palestinian author Hala Alyan Learn more about up-and-coming director, Sarah Mokh Learn more about Suad Amiry and her novel, Sharon and My Mother-in-Law (2003)

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Showing 1–20 of 26 episodes