The Other RefugeLiverpool Arab Arts Festival 2026 – Photography exhibition
(In collaboration with the Open Eye Gallery)
The Other Refuge reflects on the notion of belonging through the eclectic perspectives of UK-based artists of Arab origin (from Sudan, Syria, and Yemen) who have experienced displacement. Their work serves as both a celebration of culture and a tribute to their respective communities. The exhibition is an open invitation to explore what ‘home’ means: whether rooted in place and territory, carried through family and cultural heritage, or shaped by memory, movement, and lived geographies.
ARTISTS: Fuad Al-Gaadi, Nasma Aljizawi, Omer Al Tijani
July 16th – August 2nd
Open Eye Gallery Atrium
Opening Hours:Tuesday – Sunday, from 10am – 5pm
LAUNCH & ARTIST TALKMonday 20th JulyStart – 2.00pmFinish (Estimated) – 4.00pm
The RefugeLiverpool Arab Arts Festival 2026 – Photography exhibition(In collaboration with the Exhibition Research Lab Gallery at John Moores University)
Through the eclectic perspectives of contemporary photography artists, the group exhibition The Refuge reflects on the notion of ‘home’ in the context of today’s Arabness. Each work explores nuanced stories of displacement and longing, whiler evealing home as a paradox in transition – whether rooted in place and territory, carried through family and sociocultural heritage, or shaped by memory, movement, and lived geographies.
ARTISTS: Abdulrahman Hassona, Farah Maktari, Houari Bouchenak, Lydia Saidi, Maya-Ines Touam, Shareef Sarhan
July 16th – July 24th
Mondays & Wednesdays 11am – 5pmTuesdays & Thursdays 12pm – 5pm
VENUE: The Exhibition Research Lab Gallery, John Moores University
LAUNCHThursday 16th JulyStart – 6.00pmFinish – 8.00pm – CLICK HERE
ARTIST TALKWednesday 22 JulyThe Exhibition Research Lab Gallery, John Moores UniversityStart: 2pmEstimated finish time: 4pmPrice: FREE – Register to attend
Where Are All The Women Artists? – a talk by Dr Julia Clayton
Can you tell, just by looking at it, whether a specific artwork was made by a man or a woman? This talk, presented in conjunction with The Atkinson’s exhibition Taking Centre Stage: Female Artists in The Atkinson’s Collection, explores the reasons why women artists are under-represented both in major collections and in traditional narratives of art history.
While this is partly due to the social, economic and educational barriers historically faced by women artists, it’s also the case that some artworks by women were misattributed to their male contemporaries. This talk looks at how these misattributions arose, how they were consolidated by the pressures of the art market, and whether there is such a thing as a distinctive style of women’s art.
Celebrate the 40th anniversary of The Smiths’ seminal The Queen Is Dead with an evening dedicated to one of the most acclaimed and influential albums of all time. Voted NME’s Greatest Album of All Time and consistently ranked among the finest records ever made, The Smiths’ 1986 masterpiece continues to inspire generations of musicians and fans alike.
Join legendary Smiths drummer Mike Joyce and co-producer of the album, Stephen Street, alongside a special guest host, for an insightful and joyful conversation celebrating the making and enduring legacy of this landmark album.
Through stories, memories and behind-the-scenes insights, Mike and Stephen will take a deep dive into the recording of The Queen Is Dead, discussing each song track-by-track, studio sessions and creative processes that helped define a generation and continue to resonate with listeners four decades later. The evening will also feature an audience Q&A, archive video, signings and memorabilia, giving fans a rare chance to hear first-hand from two of the people behind the record.
Don’t miss this unique celebration of one of the greatest British albums ever made, with two of the people who helped bring it to life.
Explore the Bluecoat’s Print Studio and try various printmaking techniques as part of Heritage Open Days.
Part of Heritage Open Days.
Explore Bluecoat’s open studios, meet some of the creative community and find out about their practices, which range from painting and photography to jewellery and illustration.
Part of Heritage Open Days.
Join Bryan Biggs, our Director of Cultural Legacies, for a tour of our Grade I listed building.
Learn about our fascinating journey – from a charity school in the 18th century to the UK’s first arts center. Get special insights into our 300+ year history during Heritage Open Days.
Don’t miss out, reserve your free spot today. Booking essential.
This isn’t just a theatre show — it’s a voyage through space and time like no other.
Guided by astrophysicist Ian Hall FRAS, Wonders of Our Universe takes audiences on an awe-inspiring journey from the explosive birth of the cosmos to humanity’s first steps beyond our home planet. Along the way, you’ll uncover the secrets of black holes, witness the birth and death of stars, and explore the breath-taking beauty of distant galaxies.
Every moment is brought vividly to life with cinematic visuals, immersive sound, and a soaring soundtrack that turns complex science into pure emotion. Ian’s live narration blends knowledge, humour and storytelling in a way that makes the wonders of our universe accessible to everyone — whether you’re a lifelong stargazer or seeing the cosmos anew.
Visually spectacular, scientifically rich and emotionally stirring, Wonders of Our Universe will change the way you see the night sky — and your place within it.
This is science as you’ve never experienced it before: live, cinematic, and utterly unforgettable.
Recommended Age Guidance: 11 years plus, although children younger than this will enjoy the show if they are particularly engaged with the topic.
Part of Liverpool Arab Arts Festival, this event at The Black-E explores the meaning of home through food, art and storytelling, in collaboration with London-based publisher Almas Art Foundation. Centred on the work of British-Sudanese food archivist Omer Al Tijani, the event brings together recipes, oral histories, and cultural narratives that preserve Sudan’s heritage.
The Sudanese Kitchen began as a long-term documentation project and website led by Omer Al Tijani, and developed into a landmark cookbook and cultural archive that collects over 100 recipes, contextual essays, and personal and field photographs to present Sudan’s culinary diversity.
Doors – 1pm / Food from 1pm / Talk from 2pm
Age suitability – 14+ For guardians of any under 18s, please be aware of the content warning below.
Content warning – the discussion may bring up references to war, genocide, displacement, death, destruction of property, starvation, and sexual assault, as well as starvation and SA as weapons of war. These will only be mentioned if asked about.
Argentine literature offers a rich and vibrant landscape of voices, textures, and perspectives. In this workshop, we will explore a small selection of poems and short stories by Argentine writers, discovering how these texts open windows into universal human experiences while remaining deeply rooted in place and culture. Through shared reading and conversation, participants will be invited to engage with the language, imagery, and emotions that emerge from these works.
No prior literary background is needed, only curiosity and a willingness to explore language together.
We strive to make all our spaces and events as accessible as possible to all, please see our accessibility page to help you plan your visit.
