The Nour Festival of Arts now in its fourth year kicked off at the Chelsea Theater on October 1. The Nour Festival ‘nour' meaning light or illumination in Arabic, is held annually in October and November in venues across the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, challenging preconceptions, sparking debate and providing insight into culture from across the MENA region. This year's highlight is the Festivals' partnership with the Museum of Islamic Art [MIA], Doha which brings to London the remarkable exhibition Ferozkoh: Tradition and Continuity in Afghan Art. Ferozkoh pairs together priceless historical objects from MIA's collection with modern-day interpretations by craftspeople from Afghanistan, created in response to, and in conversation with, the historical objects. Ferozkoh – which is also part of Qatar UK 2013 Year of Culture – is MIA's first ever touring exhibition and will be on display at Leighton House Museum, the very embodiment of the meeting between East and West. The festival's program is a myriad of art, film, literature, music and performance where East and West meet six art exhibitions, sixteen film screenings, fifteen thought-provoking talks and debates, fourteen performances across dance and drama, music and poetry, four evenings of special events, three cookery classes, eight workshops, a Souk and a Tour Bus. The Nour Festival of Arts that began on October 1 runs till November 30 at more than 20 venues across Kensington and Chelsea. — Agencies
