With a mantra to cultivate 'values of curiosity, empathy, respect and responsibility', Sanaa is a not-for-profit multidisciplinary cultural arts collective based in Adelaide that returns to Fringe in 2022.
Since it was first created in 2017, Sanaa has grown from those grassroots beginnings to nurture a safe space offering a platform for musicians and artists of African descent as well as many other cultures from around the world including Columbia, Peru, Brazil, Iran.
Sanaa host a range of art programmes within the community, including street art, music, performance, workshops, story-telling, festivals, exhibitions and fashion shows.
By focusing on music and art, Sanaa events help to facilitate an intercultural understanding to assist bridging cultural gaps.
"Originally when Sanaa was created in 2017 it was designed to give a platform and support to artists and musicians of African backgrounds," Victoria Lewis says, "and whilst that is still very much at the forefront of what Sanaa does we have found a need for other culturally diverse backgrounds to be supported.
"We have started to work with more artists from different cultural backgrounds including Colombia, Peru, Brazil, and Iran, and have just been blown away by the talent that exists in these communities and it's such a pleasure to nurture this and showcase it in such a fun, exciting way."
At Adelaide Fringe, Sanaa's annual festival (19 March) will offer a host of musicians headlined by First Nations hip hop, soul duo Marlon X Rulla – comprised of Larrakia, Kungarrakany and Thursday Islander Marlon Motlop, and Tulampanga Pakana MC from Kooparoona Niara, Lutruwita, Rulla Kelly- Mansell.
Adelaide-based rapper, activist, and poet DyspOra will be bringing his emotive stylings to the stage as a proud South Sudanese man. Also on the bill is Kenyan-born Australian singer-song writer Elsy Wameyo, Ghanaian-born folk singer Angel Lopa, African-Australian musician ConcCoins and Cuban trumpeter Lazaro Numa alongside other local talent.
Sanaa Festival will also be filled with flavoursome aromas with culinary delights focusing on African, Latin American, and Middle Eastern nations. There'll also be a host of markets showcasing globally inspired fashion, arts and crafts.
The Sanaa Exhibition will also be stage during Fringe, the two-month showcase focuses on the theme of 'home' and features 15 contemporary artists exhibiting work.
Australian-based artists from African, Iranian, Colombian, Brazilian, Aboriginal and Australian backgrounds will showcase works alongside international artists from India, Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa.
Sanaa Festival takes place at Light Square 19 March. Sanaa Exhibition runs 7 February-14 April at the Kerry Packer Civic Gallery at The Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre.
