100 Years of Greater Lebanon
Safiya Noureddine
A story of a mother, Safiya, who takes care of her six children amidst a brutal war. When food supplies become scarce, she takes to baking for her family and the community around them. Throughout it all, she maintains a sense of pride for her homeland, Lebanon, and reflects on how the war forced its citizens to take care of one another. “If you find your brother weak, help him.”
​
Note: This story is narrated in Arabic. For English subtitles select the "CC" button on the video player.
Commentary & Analysis
In the video below, Preeti talks about her process and her creative choices as she developed her interpretation of Safiya's story.
Meet our Collaborators
Wajdi Abou Diab
Composer / Performer (Lebanon)
​
Born in Lebanon in 1991, Wajdi graduated from the Lebanese National Higher Conservatory of Music with a degree in piano (2014) and subsequently a further degree in Music Composition and Electronic Music (2016). He is currently continuing his studies in piano and bassoon performance in the same conservatory where he also teaches piano, harmony and music theory.
​
Wajdi’s music draws inspiration from the Arabic Mashriq musical tradition: in a modern language he seeks to reflect the contradictions of the modern world, and the beauty and brutality within it.
​
Click here to see videos from Wajdi describing his process for creating music for the stories.
Shreya Mehta
Illustrator (Belgium / India)
Shreya Mehta is an award-winning visual artist who confronts questions of identity and spirituality in her vibrant and eclectic practice.
Shreya was born in India and raised in Antwerp, Belgium, where she attended the Royal Academy of Art as its first woman of Indian origin. After graduating with the prestigious V.R.I.K.A Award, she eventually settled in New York, where she continues her practice.
​
Content & Sponsor Partner
The Alwan Project has been developed and supported by the Adyan Foundation, whose mission is to promote diversity, solidarity and human dignity in Lebanon.