Even in her days as a computer engineer, Hala Makarem had a penchant for networking and communication. That’s the essential concept behind her group (n – applied research creative community) and their latest story weaving project. Since the beginning of 2010 Makarem and members of Zoukak Theatre Company have been touring the country’s public libraries on a mission to create ‘Our Shared Community Story’. Supported by ASSABIL and the Beirut World Book Capital, the project began by convening members of the local community at Baakline National Library. It was the participants there who started brainstorming ‘the story’. Using methods such as ‘the world café’ - a simple and innovative tool for hosting conversations about important social questions - the session brings together an eclectic mix of community voices. ‘Each table creates a part of the story, the next builds on it in a connected flow and so on and so on...’ explains Makarem. And unlike other workshop sessions, the outcomes of the group’s discussions through the generated story are then performed in the library by Zoukak’s actors. But rather than just twiddle their thumbs while the performers rehearse, the community group make and design costumes for the show. And that’s just stage one.

For full preview by Natasha Dirany, check March issue 19.

Story weaving session, 9am-5pm Sat 6 at Batroun Public Library (06 740079) near Batroun municipality, Batroun. Call 03 200716 for details on their next session at Beit Mery.