Events & Updates

October 24-25 17-25, 2020

Aswat Ensamble's - My Name is the Palestinian People

San Francisco - This segment is part of a free online concert that was performed Oct 24th-25th, 2020 at 10am PST/8pm Jerusalem to globally celebrate Palestinian music and culture together.

To watch the full video and musical performances, please visit Aswat Ensamble.

Aswat Ensemble is a collective of musicians and singers, of all ethnicities, whom present pan Middle Eastern music to the Bay Area community. Aswat's parent non-profit organization, Zawaya, stands at the intersection of culture, art and social justice and seeks to contribute to the multicultural discourse of the Bay Area with the Arab arts. Zawaya means “aspects” or “corners”, suggesting the many art forms to be discovered and enjoyed in Arab culture. @aswat.ensamble

January 17-25, 2020

RIMAL x REEL Palestine in Dubai

UAE - Rimal collaborated with REEL Palestine 2020 - an annual film festival showing a selection of alternative Palestinian films in the United Arab Emirates. The 9-day festival was held at Alserkal Avenue in Dubai in partnership with Cinema Akil. Thousands of visitors attended the festival, making it a great success.

Our Rimal family along with almost all festival attendees were excited by the visit of HE Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, accompanied by Mr Abdelmonem Bin Eisa Alserkal, founder of Alserkal Avenue, during the festival.  

November 4, 2019

RIMAL x BIG BAD WOLF TEAMS MEET IN UAE

UAE - Owners of Rimal Books and Big Bad Wolf Malaysia meet at the SIBF 2019 to discuss collaboration between both companies and expanding to new markets in Asia.

November 1, 2019

CELEBRATING MAHROOSEH IN DUBAI

DUBAI - Alserkal Avenue. Both photography and musical worlds collided at KAVE on the evening of November 1st. Photographer, Falak Shawwa, and As Per Casper’s lead singer-songwriter, Carla Saad, celebrated the joy of books, photography and song. Falak shared her photo-journey through the launch of her new book Mahrooseh: Lebanon’s Art on the Road, accompanied by the good-vibes musical performance by As Per Casper.

November 9, 2019

Rimal Author Part of World's Largest Book Signing

Rimal author, Falak Shawwa, was seated among 1,502 authors from around the world who simultaneously signed their books at the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF), setting a new Guinness World Record.

Falak Shawwa stated, "I would like to thank the Sharjah Intronational Book Fair for this amazing event. To be apart of this moment and signing my book Mahrooseh, meeting many authors from around the world and meeting people who continue to express their love of books and reading. It was a wonderful experience." 

We would like to congratualte the SIBF for this achievement.

October 30 - November 9, 2019

THANK YOU SIBF 2019

Rimal attended the  Sharjah International Book Fair 2019, where the team conducted B2B meetings and networking, attending cultural events, professional programs and sold our books to hundreds of readers.

Thank you once again to the Emirate of Sharjah for hosting another successul book fair.

June 13, 2019

WHERE CAN I FIND SOMEONE LIKE YOU, ALI?

BEIRUT - Guests joined us and author Raeda Taha in the evening of June 13th, 2019,  at Dar El-Nimer for Arts and Culture, for the the book signing of Where Can I Find Someone Like You, Ali?

21 February 2019

Mahrooseh launched in Beirut

Photographer Falak Shawwa launched her new book Mahrooseh in Beirut. 

Guests were greeted at the event to an open space with an assortment of Palestinian street food and a projected multi-media showing Falak's photographic journey throughout Lebanon. We would like to thank everyone who celebrated the launch of Mahrooseh and making this event a wonderful success.

25-26 January 2019

NAWWARA - Beirut Book Launch Success

Along with author Mimosa Al Arawi and designer Mayda Freije Makdessi - Rimal Books  celebrated the launch of its latest title NAWWARA at Dar El-Nimer in Beirut. 

Guests attended both the launch even in the evening of 25 January 2019 and an open exhibition of the original artwork from the book on the following day. We would like to thank everyone who celebrated the launch of Nawwara and making this event a great success.

6 December 2018

Rimal joins Palestinian Cultural Festival in UAE

ABU DHABI - Rimal was proud to join the celebration and journey into the culture and spirit of Palestine at the Palestine Cultural Festival in Abu Dhabi. The community event was organized and hosted by My Olive Roots and Bodytree Studio. Visitors explored a delightful Palestinian winter market, enjoyed delicious food and programs, including: Tatreez workshop with Joanna Barakat, collaborative painting workshop with Blank Canvas, oud performance by Kamal Musallam, spoken word poetry reading with Farah Chamma, and a oud musical performance by Kamal Musallam collaborating with Dana Dajani award-winning poet and performer, and much more. For more details please visit MyOliveRoots.org

December 2018

Celebrating the Christmas Spirit in Amman

AMMAN - Rimal is proud to sponsor the Swiss Christmas Market, a winter-wonderland in the heart of Amman. Visitors enjoy a small Swiss Village with warmly decorated wooden chalets offering guests a pomander of ornaments, decorative gifts and handicraft items typical of the season, and present a selection of culinary delicacies, collectively providing a unique Christmas shopping experience. The event is open to the public, for more details please visit their FB page.

October 10, 2018

Windows on Interesting Times Book Launch Sucess

NICOSIA - Guests joined us and author Michael Jansen in the evening of October 10th, 2018,  at the Atrium of the Centre of Visual Arts and Research (CVAR) in Nicosia, for the the book signing of Windows on Interesting Times.

May 9, 2018

Book Launch Sucess

At the book launch event, author Adnan Abdelrazak had a conversation with Raja Khalidi about Palestinian architectural houses and dwellings in the west side of Jerusalem new city (the area defined by the 1949 Israeli-Jordanian Armistice Agreement) before and after the Nakba. This was a joint event between the Kenyon Institute, the Educational Bookshop, Dar al-Tifel al-Arabi, and the Khalidi Library in the Old City.

April 25, 2018

Amman Book Launch Sucess

AMMAN - Over 80 guests attended the launch of Margarita Skinner's new book The Journeys of Motifs held at Tiraz on April 25th, 2018.

November 11, 2017

SIBF 2017 Complete Success!

The Rimal team was once again at the  Sharjah International Book Fair 2017 and it was 11 days of networking, attending cultural events, professional programs and selling our books to avid and young readers.

Thank you Sharjah for yet another successul book fair.

April 04, 2015

Rimal at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair

The Abu Dhabi International Book Fair ended today. We, the Rimal Books team, spent 6 days of networking, attending cultural events, professional programs and selling our books to visitors.

The Book Fair was a great success!

November 07, 2012

Book Launch Success - Historic Nicosia

On Tuesday evening (Nov 6) we enjoyed a delightful book launch for Historic Nicosia. Over 150 guests attended this successful event. Mrs Nora Shawwa of Rimal Books welcomed the distinguished guests and friends and introduced the panel of guest speakers, Dr Nicolas Bakirtzis from the Cyprus Institute, Dr Michalis Olympios from the University of Cyprus, Art Historian, Dr Rita Severi, the editor of the book, Dr Demetrios Michaelides and Mr Lellos Demetriades, Former Mayor of Nicosia.

 

The event was held in a beautiful buildings in the city of Nicosia at the Archaeological Research Unit, Department of History and Archaeology
at the University of Cyprus, located on 12 Gladstonos Street.

 

We would like to thank everyone who attended and helped make this event a successful one. We will be posting photographs on Facebook and videos of the event and speeches on our youtube channel soon.

October 05, 2012

Widad Kawar collection exhibited in Basel

We are proud to announce that part of the Widad Kawar collection was beautifully exhibited at Basel Historical Museum in Switzerland.

See the images below and enjoy some of the exhibition photos.

Learn more about Widad Kawar's collection and the life stories of the women behind the old Palestinian embroidered dresses in our best selling book -  Threads of Identity.

 

 

June 20, 2012

Nostos - book sigining with Maath Alousi

The book signing event for Nostos was held on Wednesday June 20th, 2012 at 6:30 pm Orfali Gallery, Amman - Jordan. The author of the book, renowned Iraqi architect, Maath Alousi was introduced by the publisher Nora Shawwa to present his new book. The event was a success and guests enjoyed a delightful evening.

 

December 01, 2011

Celebrating Afaf Zurayk's Lovesong - Book Sigining Event

On Thursday evening of Decemeber 1st, 2011, Afaf Zurayk's Lovesong was celebrated in Beirut. The book signing was held at the charming venue of Dar Bistro & Books in Hamra, and was a great success, attended by over 160 people. We would like to thank all of our guests for joining us in celebrating Lovesong with Afaf Zurayk.

 

We would like to extend our gratitude to the entire team at Dar Bistro and Rimal for helping make this event a delightful one. Also thank you to Mr Ibrahim Dirani for providing us with photographs of the evening.

October 29, 2011

Lovesong wins the 2011 BABF Book Design Award

 

Yesterday, October 28th, at the closing ceremony at the 2011 Beirut Art Book Fair, the exquisitely produced book Lovesong, by artist Afaf Zurayk, won the Book Design Award of the year.

 

Rimal Books would like to congratulate both Afaf Zurayk and designer Mayda Freije Makdessi.

September 27, 2011

Anna's House book signing in Beirut

A book signing was held for author Odd Karsten Tveit in Beirut on Tuesday, 27 September 2011. Over 80 guests attended the event, where they had copies of Anna's House: The American Colony in Jerusalem, signed by the author.

It was a wonderful evening and a successful event, where guests mingled and enjoyed the panoramic views of the city of Beirut and the Mediterrenean sea.

We would like to thank Nora Boustany for graciously hosting us and everyone who made this evening a delightful one.

June 22, 2011

Widad Kawar's Book Signing in Beirut

 

Throughout the two-hour book signing event at Gruen in Beirut yesterday, Widad Kamel Kawar was signing copies of the much sought after Threads of Identity.

 

It was a delightful evening with over 150 guests attending the event mingled while enjoying refreshments and canapés. The venue also displayed the complimenting Palestinian embroidered items of INAASH.

 

Guests later enjoyed a delicious dinner and a fashion show organized by INAASH, where models walked around and explained the origins of the Palestinian embroidered dresses they wore. All items were available for sale as well.

December 09, 2010

Threads of Identity Book Launch Success in Amman

On Thursday - 9 December 2010, over 500 guests attended the launch of Threads of Identity: Preserving Palestinian Costume and Heritage, by Widad Kamel Kawar. The launch took place at the Orthodox Club in Amman, Jordan, where the entrance of the hallway was adorned with blossoming citrus trees brought in just for this delightful evening.

The event was held under the auspices of Her Excellency, Mrs Leila Sharaf. Lead by the master of ceremonies, Mrs. Lima Shawwa, speakers included Mrs Sharaf who gave the keynote address; Palestinian singer, Rim Banna; the author, Widad Kawar; and publisher, Nora Shawwa.

 

After speaking to the audience, Rim Banna, dressed in a traditional Palestinian dress, sang a couple of Palestinian songs. The listeners were evidently moved to hear Ms. Banna's beautiful voice on this occasion.
After the speeches, the Oud was playing in the background while guests were finally able to see, browse and purchase copies of the book. The enthusiasm expressed by those who were able to purchase the first copies of Threads of Identity, signed by the author, reflected the success of the evening.

 

We at Rimal Publications would like to thank the author Mrs Widad Kamel Kawar and event organizer, Ms Miral Murad, for their support and our gratitude to the Orthodox Club in Amman for hosting our event and making this evening a delightful one.

ovember 01, 2010

Swedish Ambassador to Cyprus Hosts Rimal Book Event

Glafkos Clerides: The Path of a Country by Niyazi Kizilyurek, published by Rimal Publications, was launched in November at a private reception hosted by the Swedish Ambassador to Cyprus , Ingemar Lindhal and Mrs Lindhal.

Former Cypriot President Glafkos Clerides was the guest of honour at a reception in the Swedish Ambassador's official residence in Nicosia, along with Katy Clerides who translated Dr Kizilyurek's book from Greek to English. Guests included senior foreign diplomats, as well as Greek and Turkish Cypriot politicians, academics and businessmen.

Addressing the gathering, Ambassador Lindhal said Dr Kizilyurek's book, consisting of wide-ranging interviews with the former president, provided valuable insight into the recent history of and made the reader understand better the problems still faced by the island. The Swedish Ambassador said Glafkos Clerides: The Path of a Country would be "essential reading for all diplomats posted to Cyprus."

Turkish Cypriot writer and broadcaster Hasan Kahvecioglu told guests at the reception that Dr Kizilyurek had made a valuable contribution to the study of Cypriot history in his interviews with former President Clerides. Furthermore, the two men, one Turkish Cypriot and the other Greek Cypriot, had avoided taking sides on the key issues that divide Cyprus . Instead, their conversations would help build bridges between the two communities.

The Rector of the University of Cyprus, Professor Stavros A Zenios, applauded the work of Dr Kizilyurek, saying it represented an important dialogue between two intellectuals. He added that any debate over the future of Cyprus needed to be based on a clear, honest and objective assessment of the recent past, leaving aside emotive rhetoric and propaganda. Former President Clerides and Dr Kizilyurek, in their deep and informative dialogue, had made a valuable contribution to the internal debate among Cypriots.

June 01, 2009

Book Launch Success in Nicosia: Life at the Crossroads

Almost 200 guests turned out on a balmy Monday evening in Nicosia on 1 June 2009 to attend the launch of the new edition of Life at the Crossroads: A History of Gaza, by Gerald Butt.

In the gardens of the capital's Municipality, Mayor Eleni Mavrou gave the keynote speech in which she said that the Cypriot people had empathy for the Palestinians due to their own experience of war and occupation. She applauded the publication of a book that drew the attention of the world both to the plight of the Palestinian people and the rich history of their homeland.

Journalist and history teacher Maria Chrysanthou then gave a thorough overview of the book in Greek for the benefit of the Greek speakers in attendance.

Next, Gerald Butt spoke to the audience about Life at the Crossroads and why he wrote the first edition in 1995. Life for the people in Gaza was grim in the days of the First Intifada, which began in 1987. Gerald said he had not considered that a place that looked so destitute could have a long and rich history. But his vision of Gaza 's past changed when he began researching the book.

Learning about the history of Gaza made Gerald into an ardent supporter of its people, and he said in his speech that despite ‘the hardship in Gaza ...I think there are two very important things that we should be celebrating. The first is the fact that, despite all appearances to the contrary, the people of Gaza have a long and distinguished history - a history that deserves to be told. Secondly, I think we should be celebrating the determination of the Gaza people to go on doing what they have done throughout three millennia of history - resisting foreign occupation and fighting for independence.'

 

After his talk, Gerald signed copies of his book and guests were also entertained by singers May Nasr from Lebanon, who flew in especially from Beirut to perform at the event, and Greek Cypriot Michalis Mazoras.

 

All of us at Rimal Publications were delighted by such a warm, welcoming response from the people of Cyprus, and in particular from the mayor and her staff who went out of their way to provide the venue and assistance to ensure the book launch was carried off in a professional way. A quarter of the proceeds from the sales were donated by Rimal Publications to the Palestinian Welfare Organization's Emergency Appeal for Aid and Support for Gaza.

November 11, 2007

Palestinian Embroidery Motifs Launched in Amman

Over 240 people attended our book launch on Sunday November 11, 2007, in Amman. The event was a great success, with most of the copies of Palestinian Embroidery Motifs: A Treasury of Stitches 1850-1950 presented at the launch sold, and 35% of the proceeds went to the Welfare Association in support of projects in Palestine.

 

The book launch was hosted at the Regency Palace Hotel by Mr. and Mrs. Sami Sawalha in Amman. Our evening included speeches by Dr. Atallah Kuttab, Director General of the Welfare Association, and authors Mrs. Margarita Skinner and Mrs. Widad Kawar.

 

Putting together this wonderful treasury of motifs by Mrs. Margarita Skinner in association with Mrs. Widad Kawar was a two year process involving many people to deliver the book you see today.

The impressive photography by Falak Shawwa captures the essence of the embroidery pieces from the world-renowned collection of Mrs. Widad Kawar. The crisp design and layout of graphic designer Chara Adamidou was a key in presenting the content.

 

Our sincere thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Sawalha for their generosity, Mrs. Miral Murad of ARTY Creative Marketing Services-Amman for her efforts in helping us put the event together, to all those who attended the launch, and to everyone who sent their best wishes and support from afar.

 

The book received great reviews and attention for its contribution to the documentation of this rich Palestinian heritage. All the support during the event helped Palestinian Embroidery Motifs: A Treasury of Stitches 1850-1950 get off to a great start.

April 22, 1999

Cyprus an Island Apart Book Launch

NICOSIA - On Thursday 22nd of April 1999, Rimal Publications launched Seamus Macugh's Cyprus An Island Apart: A Personal Experience at abu faysal's restaurant.

The book signing was a great success with the distinguished guest speaker Mrs Nora Laissis, Professor of English at Cyprus College. Over 75 people atteneded the event, mingled and enjoyed a small speach by the author as well. Guests included Shyamala Cowsik, Lindsey Tworst, Elizabeth Miller, Reem Boudairi, Maria Papacharalambous, Lynn Terrot, Garo Keheyian, Maath Alousi, Bill Schwartz, Clive Britton, Sandra MacHugh, Nabil Ahmed and many others.