TO WRITE MY LIFE – Hafsa Aqqal

TO WRITE MY LIFE reveals forgotten history stories with sincerity and humor. Two actresses, Hafsa Aqqal and Oumoul Kairy Diallo share both real and invented stories.
They highlight the story of Omar Ibn Saïd, a scholar from Futa Toro in present-day Senegal who was enslaved in the United States in the 18th century.

Through Omar Ibn Saïd’s autobiography, which is written in Arabic and has several translations with varying interpretations, they explore onstage themes of identity, ethnic and cultural diversity, and address issues of racism, discrimination and unequal opportunity.

The performance is multilingual with surtitles. This show focuses on different languages – native, intellectual or imposed – as a form of expression and as part of identity formation.

Written by: Hafsa Aqqal, Oumoul Kairy Diallo and Mohamed Salim Haouach – Director : Mohamed Salim Haouach – Performance : Hafsa Aqqal, Oumoul Kairy Diallo – Directed by : Mahir Mournin – Set design : Zenel Laci – Credits: Aïcha Cissé, Takwa Soleiman, Ala Alryyes – Photo credit: Victoriano Moreno – With the support of : Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles, Service général de la création artistique, Direction du théâtre, MESTIZO ARTS PLATFORM/WIPCOOP.