The Arab Revolutions; What You Need to Know

Spend the day with activists and thinkers from the cutting edge of events, plus get up-to-the-minute news and analysis.

Did you follow Tahrir's 18 days? Do you care about Syria? And what's really happening in the Arab world? Whether you think this is the spearhead of a global revolution, or you haven't thought much about it at all - this event is for you.

Curated by Salma Said and hosted by Ahdaf Soueif. Featuring Jamal Mahjoub, Omar Robert Hamilton, Maryam Al Khawaja, Sara Ishaq, Fadwa Soliman, Osama Muttawa, Rafik Omrani, Darcus Howe, Khalid Abdallah and Bidisha. and many others.

Programme includes

11am - 1.15pm
The year that changed everything
News briefings from the revolutions - Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Syria, Yemen, Bahrain and Sudan
Hosted and moderated by Ahdaf Soueif
Twenty-one months ago, Mohammed Bouazizi lit a spark that enflamed the Arab world. Now, the revolutions continue to grip the region. Where are they now? What are the new challenges facing them? How are they re-inventing themselves? Activists from different countries give an update from the frontlines of each revolution to give you an insight your television never could.

2 - 3.30pm
Another brick in the wall
Transnational tactics of repression
Talk and screening
Walls are useful tools for dictatorial regimes. They divide, occupy and imprison. But they are also chipped away with rocks
and hammers, words and art, and they are brought down by people. Join us for films and discussions about the walls of Egypt,
Palestine and Yemen, presented by Omar Robert Hamilton and Sara Ishaq.

3.45 - 5.30pm
Fallega 2011
(UK premiere)
Talk and film screening plus Q and A with director Rafik Omrani. Shortly after President Ben Ali fled Tunisia, the first revolutionary sit-in began. This is its story.

6.45 - 8pm
Ordering pizza for Wisconsin from Tahrir
The Wisconsin protests were the first to reference Tahrir. In response, Tahrir ordered pizza and had it delivered to Madison. An international panel discusses the major social movements that began in 2011, from the Arab revolutions to the Occupy Movement to the London riots.

Other highlights

Arrive from 10am for an Arab breakfast, full schedule, bookshop and slide shows of revolutionary graffiti.

Frontline avant-garde
The artist in the revolution
The Arab revolutions produced an intense outburst of creativity. But how do you create art about a fight you're in the thick of?

Next year in Jerusalem?
Palestine and the Arab revolutions

Tahrir Cinema
Ongoing screenings of short videos and films made by journalists and film makers from the revolutions.

The day's activities and events are followed by a gig by Eskenderella at 8.30pm in Queen Elizabeth Hall.

Please note, entry to this gig is not included in the day ticket. Gig tickets are sold separately and can be bought from the Eskenderella page of the Southbank Centre website. Click here for more info

Due to the continuously changing circumstances of the region, the curator reserves the right to make changes and alterations to the programme.

In association with LIFT and Index on Censorship.