After almost 3 years of irregular activity due to Covid-19, The Arabic Language and Culture Association of South Australia (ALCASA) is thrilled to be back into holding public community events and regular workshops through a captivating six-month exhibition. Titled “Ahlan Wa Sahlan (Welcome): Hospitality in Arabic culture”, this temporary exhibition is open daily from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm from February 4th to July 30th, 2023, at the History Trust of South Australia Migration Museum. Alongside the exhibition, ALCASA and the Migration Museum are hosting a series of workshops from March 26th to June 18th, inspired by the Arabic hospitality theme. (Follow the link to book in ALCASA events)
The “Ahlan Wa Sahlan (Welcome)” exhibition features compelling stories about Arabic hospitality, shared by twenty-six participants. The stories are accompanied by cherished personal objects, lovingly preserved in South Australian homes and sometimes passed down through generations. The curation of these objects and stories were meticulously carried out in 2022, guided by Dr. Birgit Heilmann, HTSA Senior Curator, through an Expression of Interest campaign, community workshops and planning meetings.
To celebrate the exhibition’s launch on February 11th, a vibrant community event took place, enthralling the audience with traditional Arabic dance, music, and food. Over 200 guests attended, including esteemed figures such as the Honourable Irene Pnevmatikos, representing the Honourable Zoe Bettison MP, the Minister of Tourism and Multicultural Affairs, Helena Kyriazopoulos OAM (CEO of the Multicultural Communities Council of SA), Greg Mackie OAM (HTSA CEO), Elisabeth Ho OAM (HTSA Chairperson), HTSA team leaders and staff, team leaders and members of five SA Arabic speaking community groups (the Ahwazian community in Australia, the Australian Lebanese Association, the Palestinian Glimmer of Hope, The Sudanese Cultural and Social Society of South Australia, and the Torath Arts Group), and last but not least the exhibitors and the valued members of the ALCASA team.
The exhibition project was initiated in early 2022 by ALCASA as a means to reconnect with South Australians who share a passion for Arabic language and culture. ALCASA, a non-profit organisation based in Adelaide, is independent of any religious or political affiliations. Since its establishment in late 2012, ALCASA has been dedicated to promoting and celebrating the Arabic language, arts, and culture. Through its diverse range of activities, ALCASA aims to foster closer ties between Arabic-speaking communities and the wider South Australian community,while nurturing intercultural understanding and respect.
Exhibition project supported by the Government of South Australia through the History Trust of SA Migration Museum and the MCCSA Community Connections Program. Additionally, the the exhibition project’s planning stage was supported by UniSA: Justice and Society.
Fayrouz Ajaka
ALCASA Chairperson and Co-Founder
A number of the people who made the exhibition “Ahlan Wa Sahlan (Welcome)”
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