Love note penned by Ali Chahrour deems 'Iza Hawa' a heartfelt ode to turbulent Beirut

In the heart of Berlin, at HAU, a poignant performance titled Iza Hawa is set to captivate audiences on the 17th and 18th of April, starting at 20:30. This thought-provoking production, a collaboration between Ali Chahrour, Roger Assaf, and Hanane Hajj Ali, stands as a powerful tribute to Beirut, a city that has witnessed a tumultuous history.

Iza Hawa revolves around themes of love, ageing, and human feelings, making it accessible to an international audience, regardless of their familiarity with Beirut. The performance centres around a couple who have been married for 30 years and have lived through the city's collapse, golden age, and current demise. For the performers, making their stories a performance is a form of resistance.

The performance is significant for the performers, coming from Lebanon and the south of Lebanon, due to recent events in Palestine and Lebanon. It is a final declaration of love for Beirut, even as it crumbles before their eyes. The performers feel a strong need to share their stories beyond social media, and the performance serves as a platform for their voices to be heard.

Refaat Alareer, a Palestinian writer, once wrote, "If I must die, others should live to tell my story and make it a 'tale'." This quote echoes the sentiments of the performers, who see their performance as a means to preserve and share their stories.

The performance also portrays love as a statement, as the only thing left for the performers is love in the current context. The creators of Iza Hawa do not consider the audience's potential unfamiliarity with Beirut when creating the work, ensuring that the emotions and experiences portrayed resonate universally.

Details for the performance can be found on the HAU website. For those who cannot attend in April, the performance will be presented in Berlin as its premiere in 2024. The performers express concern about sharing their views in Germany, possibly referring to the ongoing conflict in Palestine. However, they remain steadfast in their desire to share their stories and connect with audiences worldwide.

Iza Hawa is part of HAU's 'Love is a Verb - A Festival on Ways of Relating', a fitting platform for this poignant and powerful performance. It serves as a testament to the resilience of love, even in the face of adversity, and the importance of sharing personal stories to preserve our collective history.

Love note penned by Ali Chahrour deems 'Iza Hawa' a heartfelt ode to turbulent Beirut