Hanane Hajj Ali, Writer and Performer of Jogging: Theatre in Progress talks with Jo Tomalin about the development of her one woman show

Photo credit: Marwan Tahtah

Hanane Hajj Ali, Artist, Activist, Writer and Performer of Jogging: Theatre in Progress talks with Jo Tomalin about her background, the development of her one woman show, touring internationally and in her home country of Lebanon.

“JOGGING transgresses the Lebanese Bermuda triangle of taboos: religion, politics, and sex, and presents a radical challenge to the stereotypes and prejudices that afflict global perceptions of Arab women. Telling the “unspoken stories” while citizens’ voices are being silenced especially those of women and artists echoes with the thirst to regain basic human rights, and contributes in shifting perspectives of thinking, thereby generating a critical reception of the work, so that the Still Waters of stagnant perception modes are stirred.”

“Born in Lebanon, Hanane Hajj Ali is an actress, author, researcher, and cultural activist; a prominent figure in the cultural and artistic scene in the Arab region. Her artistic career started in 1978 as a founding member of the Hakawati Theater (Lebanese Theatre of Storytellers) and she has performed in prestigious theatres and festivals, completing several regional and international tours.”

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