A mixed arts project that aims to challenge stereotypes and the idea that a female’s place is in the home is being put up as part of events to mark International Women’s Day celebrated last week.
The message is that Arab women are not all cloaked from head to toe...
Nine Parts Of Desire is a three-part project that is also commemorating the anniversary of the Arab uprising through a play by American-Iraqi playwright Heather Raffo.
The drama is being brought closer to home by a photography exhibition profiling women in Malta, from various walks of life, who have suffered some kind of abuse, highlighting gender-based violence and strength of survival.
The idea of incorporating various forms of art was aimed at having more impact, striking a chord and challenging as many targets as possible, said project producer Roderick Vassallo.
The central element is the play, which highlights the plight of women in conflict. It is about nine Iraqi women – mothers, lovers, communist exiles, educated and not – who were locked up during the Gulf War. They are being portrayed by three actresses, whose talent is being challenged by the character changes they have to master.
But their differences have one common prop: a square garment worn by Arab women as a veil or cloak.
“It is a story of resilience. I dare say it shows women are the stronger sex,” Mr Vassallo said. “It shows they can be as strong as any male soldier.
“The message is that Arab women are not all cloaked from head to toe and Iraq is quite a cultural hotchpotch, meaning the cultural barriers are not that massive.”
Nine Parts Of Desire is being given a more Maltese context through the photographic exhibition that has involved the headache of convincing nine women, who have something to say, to speak openly about their private lives.
“They are the heroines of the Maltese situation and include a mother juggling work and family, a nun from an orphanage, a refugee and a social worker dealing with domestic violence,” Mr Vassallo said. He was particularly touched by the story of an anorexia survivor and a World War II veteran drove interviewers to tears with her advice to the younger generation.
The nine portraits, which reflect the nine characters of the play, are being exhibited at St James Cavalier, Valletta, allowing the audience to move through the gallery of women to be met by the artistes in its theatre.
They can then engage in a “talk-back scenario” with the playwright in a form of forum theatre, so the questions the play may arouse can find their answers.
Ms Raffo is also taking part in a seminar on human and women’s rights at the US Embassy, the main partners of the project, together with the Malta Council for the Voluntary Sector.
Nine Parts Of Desire, presented by Aditus and Troupe 18:45, and co-produced by St James Cavalier, is being held this coming weekend. The event is supported by the US Embassy.