THE nation’s only festival dedicated to Arab cultures is being held in Liverpool over three days this weekend. Venues across the city will host a series of events covering the visual arts, literature, dance, film, food and music.

Internationally renowned singer Natacha Atlas and Palestian hip-hop group Ramallah Underground are performing at the Philharmonic Hall as part of the Arabic Weekender.

“It’s a celebratory event,” says festival manager Ngozi Ikoku.

“A really important aspect of what we’re doing is breaking down barriers and challenging stereotypes.

“It’s an opportunity to learn about different cultures, but it also highlights the similarities between people.”

For many, the highlight of the festival will be the Family Day, on Saturday, when the Bluecoat will be open for a range of cultural activities, as well as providing a chance to sample Arabic dishes.

“With the Bluecoat being under redevelopment, we have held the past few family days at Sefton Park Palm House, but this year we’re coming back to where we started.

“As well as music and family activities, we’ll also be having a barbecue and serving Arabic food in the restaurant Upstairs at the Bluecoat and in the cafe downstairs.”

FACT will be showing a series of films, including the Algerian movie Masquerades, which has won multiple awards.

“I saw it at the Dubai Film Festival,” says Ngozi. “It’s a comedy, which is quite interesting, because a lot of Arabic film is driven by the situation happening in the Arab world so it can be quite challenging.”

National Museums Liverpool is running a programme of family events, including an Ancient Egyptian Fashion Talk at the World Museum on Sunday and artist Halima Cassell presenting her exhibition of works at the Walker Art Gallery.

Other highlights include a Cultural Clothes Show, presented by the Liverpool Arabic Centre at on Sunday, and Arabic Poetry and Fiction Reading at the Bluecoat on Sunday and the elders of the local Arabic community’s music and dance event on the Mersey Ferry.

This year’s event is a condensed version of the annual Arabic Arts Festival while those running it work to become an independent organisation. Further details at www.arabicartsfestival.co.uk