Haflah at the Horniman: A South-West Asian and North African (SWANA) Summer Party

‘Haflah’, حفلة, means celebration or a party in Arabic, and this is exactly that. Hekayyatna is taking over the Horniman Museum Gardens this July for an afternoon of live music, souq of handmade crafts, delicious food, storytelling, and kids’ activities from across the South-West Asian and North African (SWANA) region, including Palestine, Iraq, Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, Yemen, Sudan, Syria…

Whether you’re coming for the music, the makers, or just the good vibes in a beautiful South London garden, there’s something here for everyone.

For the adults: live music at the Bandstand from four brilliant SWANA artists and DJs, a market of handmade goods, olive oil, ceramics and zines — including zines from Gaza — and food trucks serving wraps, mezze and sweet things worth queuing for.

For the little ones: a storytelling session bringing the ancient epic of Gilgamesh to life, a treasure hunt through the Horniman gardens with clues and discovery around every corner, face paint and henna stations.

And for everyone, whatever your energy: if you want to move, there are dance workshops that will get you on your feet; if you’d rather slow down, board games and calligraphers will be set up throughout the day for drop-in sessions.

Hekayyatna is all about gathering and sharing; together, we’re making their annual summer party into something bigger and brighter, with vibrant artists, good food, and plenty of activities.

Activities & workshops

Gilgamesh Storytelling with Rowan 

1pm and 3pm | Pavilion

The earliest surviving great work of literature, with origins in 3rd Millennium BC Mesopotamia, is brought to life for all ages. Join storyteller Rowan Salim for an immersive retelling of the Epic of Gilgamesh in the Dutch Barn.

Told in two parts (Part One at 1 pm and Part Two at 3 pm) we recommend attending both for the full story. We recommend that children under 12 are accompanied by parents or carers. The storytelling session may not be suitable for very young children. Parental discretion is invited.

Nabad Dabke Dance Tutorial

2pm and 4pm | Pavilion

Learn the steps of this beloved Levantine folk dance in a 40-minute workshop. Running at 2pm and 4pm.

Calligraphy workshop

1 – 4pm | Dutch Barn

A calligraphy and Arabic script experience for those curious to learn this intricate art.

Henna with Heartnouveaux

1 – 5pm | Next to Pavilion

Drop in for complimentary henna designs throughout the afternoon.

Yallah Tawlah

1 – 5pm | Gardens

Backgammon, or ‘tawlah’, is a favourite pastime in the SWANA region. We have Yallah Tawlah bringing their boards and teaching us how to play!#

Rewrite the label

1 – 5pm | Next to Pavilion

Discover SWANA objects from the Horniman’s collection and write your own story for the pieces that speak to you.

Board games, face paint, and more.

Live Music

The Bandstand in the Horniman Gardens will be alive all afternoon, with a line-up of South-West Asian and North African (SWANA) artists curated by SWANA Records.

Rhea Kattan

1.30pm | Bandstand

Opening the afternoon with her warm, intimate sound, Lebanese singer Rhea Kattan sets the perfect tone for the day. Her delicate, soulful style draws you in gently before the energy builds.

Isadora

2pm | Bandstand

Egyptian singer whose sound is as rich as it is laid-back, Isadora brings a deeply felt, chill groove that’s made for a lazy summer afternoon in the Gardens.

Vincent J

2.30pm | Bandstand

Known for his upbeat, multilingual performances and crowd-favourite covers in Arabic and English, Lebanese singer-songwriter Vincent J is one of those artists who gets everyone moving.

Layal

3pm | Bandstand

Bringing heat to the bandstand, Egyptian singer Layal’s upbeat sound is made for dancing. Expect a set that will get you on your feet.

Dj Rára

3:45pm | Bandstand

An Iraqi-Czech DJ blending Arabic sounds with African and Caribbean influences.

Music curated and hosted by SWANA Records.

The Souq

1-5pm | Bandstand

Browse and shop a curated market of makers, artists, and producers from the SWANA community and beyond.

• Zaytoun — Palestinian fair-trade produce, including award-winning olive oil, Medjoul dates, za’atar, and other pantry staples that connect the taste of Palestine to your table.
• Spindle by Sisters — A conscious homeware and lifestyle brand rooted in heritage, craft, and thoughtful living. Working with makers across Palestine, Syria, Lebanon, Morocco, and beyond, each piece honours tradition and the hands that carry it forward.
• SEP — SEP has been working with Palestinian refugee women in the Jerash camp in Jordan since 2014, producing hand-embroidered keffiyeh scarves featuring ancient Palestinian patterns, with each piece individually crafted and unlike any other. Wearing a SEP keffiyeh is wearing both a cultural icon and a direct act of support for the artisans who make it.
• Sazar Silver — A London-based project dedicated to showcasing the beauty of authentic Yemeni silver craftsmanship. Each handcrafted piece presents traditional Yemeni silverwork in a modern and elegant way, preserving its rich cultural spirit and heritage.
• Maqam — A nomadic bookshop and cultural platform dedicated to the SWANA and MENA region. Find contemporary and classic Arabic literature, poetry, translations, and independent artisan work — voices that don’t always make it to the high street shelf.
• Of the Earth Collective — An art-based mutual aid collective selling photography and art prints from a global community of artists, fundraising for families in Gaza and Lebanon.
• RayMakesThings — Handcrafted freshwater pearl jewellery, made by hand in Bermondsey by Rayane Chami. Each piece is made with care, offered at fair prices, and backed by a commitment to charitable giving.
• SV Ceramics — Bold, vibrant, and close to the soul: Silvi Vargas’s ceramics range from eye-catching mugs to hand-built sculptures, each piece holding its own pulse and rhythm.
• Zines from Gaza — A flotilla of zines created by writers and artists in Gaza, distributed around the world. Purchase a zine and all profits go directly to the authors, turning words into life-saving support.

Food

A selection of food trucks at the Bandstand and stalls serving wraps, mezze, and sweet things worth queuing for.

• Baytna4Refugees — Refugee-owned and powered, Baytna Syrian Burgers brings bold, sun-drenched Syrian flavours to south London. Their menu is halal, with vegan and gluten-free options — fast, flavorful street food that’s also deeply nourishing.
• Ola — Pinch of Yemen — Abeer’s trailer brings authentic Yemeni flavours to south London: traditional savoury stuffed pastries, Adeni chai tea, and home cooking you won’t find anywhere else.
• LiL Watan — Boldly Lebanese, proudly London. Lil Watan brings the big flavours of Lebanese street food to south London — vibrant, generous, and made to be eaten outside in the sun.

About Hekayyatna

Hekayyatna is a community-driven production house, building connections, one story at a time. Through events and multimedia productions, they bring together communities in London and beyond.

Haflah is part of (Re)Claimed: Liberating South West Asia and North Africa (SWANA) in UK Museums, a community project by Hekayyatna, the Horniman Museum and Gardens, and UCL, supported through the ESRC Impact Acceleration Account (IAA) at UCL Innovation & Enterprise (Grant Reference ES/X004627/1). 

Activities in the Pavilion (dabke workshop & Gilgamesh storytelling) are additionally supported by Everyday Orientalism as part of their 10th anniversary.