Heritage Grant

COLDWATER – When peaceful protest leads to political turmoil and war, it impacts lives but still hope prevails. A documentary film event held at Tibbits Opera House Saturday, November 19 features three films that examine the effects of the 2011 Yemen revolution.

The three films, Karama Has No Walls, Rise, and The Mulberry House give audiences rare insight into the private lives of ordinary individuals living through political turmoil and changes to cultural norms. The viewing begins at 2 pm and the combined run time is 1 hour and 45 minutes. Most of the dialogue is in Arabic with English subtitles.

The purpose of the program is to increase awareness of Yemeni culture and history in order to dispel common misconceptions that exist among area residents. The event is free of charge and includes traditional middle-eastern refreshments. The event is funded through a Heritage Grant from the Michigan Humanities Council. David Serio, an educator from the Arab American National Museum will introduce and facilitate short discussions with the audience after each film.

The first film, Karama Has No Walls documents the protests in Sana’a which began in February 2011, following the fall of Mubarak in Egypt. A tent-city built by Yemeni students inspired thousands of Yemeni people to set aside their weapons and peacefully assemble to demand the fall of (former) president Ali Abdullah Saleh’s 33-year autocratic rule. According to the film’s Scottish-Yemeni director, Sara Ishaq, “Men and women, city-dwellers and tribesmen, rich and poor, young and old, all stood together, equal and resolute in the face of adversity.”

March 18, 2011 marked a significant turning point in Yemen’s revolution when government snipers opened fire on the peaceful protest. The tragic events of this day shook the nation to its core and propelled hundreds of thousands more to flock to the square in solidarity with their fellow citizens. Military officials defected and joined the protests; members of parliament resigned and announced their support for the revolution; southern separatists, northern Houthi affiliates and civilians united; entire tribes set aside their weapons, made amends with rival tribesmen and pitched up tents in the square in support of one cause – the liberation of Yemen.

Karama Has No Walls is an eye-witness account of that day captured through the lenses of two cameramen and the stories of two fathers. The documentary received widespread recognition, including nominations and awards from The British Academy of Film, the United Nations Association Film Festival, Al-Jazeera International Documentary Film Festival, and the Academy of Motion Pictures.

The second film, Rise made by Mohamed Samy, is a short piece that celebrates Yemeni teenagers participating in the sport of parkour despite continued violence in their city. Sometimes referred to as “free running,” parkour is the sport of moving along a route, typically in an urban area, trying to get around or through various obstacles in the quickest and most efficient manner possible, as by jumping, climbing, or running. The filmmaker views it as a metaphor for the mental and physical barriers brought upon by the war in Yemen.

In the third film, director Sara Ishaq returns to Yemen after several years. Arriving at the heart of an emerging revolution, she redefines her place in Yemeni society, as well as her relationship with her father and grandfather. In a unique examination of the uprisings in Yemen, The Mulberry House shifts the focus from events on the street to the impact of the revolution on the lives of one family.

The Heritage Grant program was established by the Michigan Humanities Council to engage organizations and individuals at the local level throughout Michigan by establishing connections across racial and cultural lines that promote understanding and healing. The film event, reception, and discussions are open and free to the public. No reservations are needed and patrons are not required to stay for all three films.

For more information on the program or to become involved contact Tamara Apmann, Tibbits’ audience outreach director and project director for the grant. Apmann can be reached at 517-278-6029 or at boxoffice@Tibbits.org.

Renowned Yemeni jewelry expert and author Marjorie Ransom will present a free lecture on Yemeni culture at Tibbits Opera House on May 14 at 1:00 p.m. The presentation will include examples from her collection of Yemeni jewelry and will be followed by a reception with traditional Middle Eastern-style refreshments.  Ransom will also be signing copies of her book, Silver Treasures from the Land of Sheba: Regional Yemeni Jewelry, which highlights Ransom’s vast knowledge and experience in the art of traditional Middle Eastern silver jewelry.

In the 1960s, her 30+ year career as a United States diplomat began where she traveled with her late husband across Yemen, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, the United Arab Emirates, Syria and Egypt, collecting more than 2000 pieces of silver jewelry. Upon retirement from the Department of State, she organized her collection into what became the Silver Speaks: Traditional Jewelry of the Middle East exhibition, which was hosted by the Arab American national Museum in 2007.

Ransom spent a year in Yemen studying jewelry and costumes and has lectured widely in the U.S. about the traditional jewelry of the Middle East. Her book is the first in-depth study of Yemeni silver, uniquely illustrated with more than 300 photographs of a world that is transforming before our eyes, and animated with the portraits of a precious legacy.

Funding for this program comes from the Michigan Humanities Council Heritage Grants program. Heritage Grants support projects that bring the authentic voices of cultural identity groups to the foreground. The program strives to help the people of Michigan understand cultural differences by sharing local stories about race and cultural history.

In Coldwater, Tibbits is partnering with area schools, service organizations and the Arab American community to offer a series of presentations, workshops, and exhibits aimed at fostering conversations about the history and culture of the Arab American community.

Listen to the interview on WTVB AM1590 FM95.5

Students and community members will have a unique opportunity to learn about Arab history, traditions and culture in November as Tibbits partners with the Arab American National Museum (AANM) to present special programs to school groups and the public.

AANM located in Dearborn, Michigan is the first and only museum in the United States devoted to Arab American history and culture and this year celebrates its 10th anniversary. The AANM programs will introduce students in grades 3-12 to the culture of the Arab region including traditional music, history, and family life. Representatives from the AANM will also make presentations to multiple service organizations during their week in Coldwater. Coldwater Rotary Club, Altrusa, the Exchange Club and Kiwanis will discuss Arab culture through presentations aimed at sharing information and correcting common misconceptions.

“Tibbits’ mission celebrates arts and culture,” remarked Tibbits Executive Director Christine Delaney. “We are proud to assist in bringing members of our community together for these important conversations.”

On Wednesday, November 18, a public event will feature traditional food, presentations by AANM staff and an exhibition of photographs from Tibbits’ SURA camp. This past summer a group of Yemen-American teens participated in the SURA program. According to Sarah Zimmer, instructor for the program, “The students are so excited to have their work on display. Their perspectives of Coldwater, community, family, and culture are wonderfully expressive and insightful.”

The event starts at 7PM and is presented free of charge. The night will culminate with a performance by Tara Entertainment, a band from metro Detroit that came together to bring awareness to Yemeni music and its uniqueness. The musicians want to remind older generation of Yemeni of something they grew up with, introduce younger generations to an important aspect of their cultural heritage, and bridge the gap with the rest of society since music knows no language. The program will promote cross-cultural understanding among Coldwater’s Yemen-American community and other populations here.

Rounding out the week is a day-long motor coach trip to the AANM and the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) on Saturday, November 21. During the first half of the trip, participants will have a chance to tour the DIA including the newly revamped Ancient Middle East gallery which illuminates artworks of some of the world’s earliest civilizations —modern day Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Syria, Turkey and Yemen. Afterwards, the group will visit the AANM where they will be able to explore exhibits and enjoy a special private reception. The cost of the trip is $15 which includes transportation and museum admissions. Reservations are required by November 10, and can be made through Tibbits by contacting Tammy Apmann at 517-278-6029 or boxoffice@tibbits.org.

Funding for these programs comes from the Michigan Humanities Council Heritage Grants program. Heritage Grants support projects that bring the authentic voices of cultural identity groups to the foreground. The program strives to help the people of Michigan understand cultural differences by sharing local stories about race and cultural history.

In Coldwater, Tibbits is partnering with area schools, service organizations and the Arab American community to offer a series of presentations, workshops, and exhibits aimed at fostering conversations about the history and culture of the Arab American community.