ADIRA is a slang term in Arabic used in the Levantine queer culture, signifying someone with a strong presence who is capable and accomplished. ADIRA is a queer Arabic-pop party series. Founded in 2023 by Lebanese artist Hassandra and Syrian-German podcaster Zuher Jazmati, aka. xanaxattax, ADIRA is a self-organized club night series that challenges orientalist stereotypes and embraces the vibrant diversity of queer Arab identities. Our mission is to revive the nostalgia of 80’s, 90’s, and early 00’s Arabic-pop music, paying homage to iconic divas like Nawal El Zoghbi, Haifa Wehbe, and Assala, alongside the unforgettable one-hit wonders from Melody Hits.
line up:
- Hassandra Linktree, Instagram, Soundcloud, Interview
- Zuher Jazmati aka xanax_attax Instagram, Soundcloud
- DumTak Instagram, Soundcloud
- DJ Josefin
Adira
ADIRA is committed to organizing community events that foster individual growth and support emerging and established Arab talents in Berlin and beyond. In June 2024, ADIRA collective launched the first-ever Arab Drag Festival, a historic event featuring over 30 Arab artists from Berlin and other cities. The one-day festival welcomed more than 700 attendees from across Europe and receiving extensive media coverage, marking a significant milestone for the queer Arab community.
As a collective, we have been dedicated to curating community events, panels, drag shows and workshops that aim at strengthening the community as well as provide more space for individuals to grow. ADIRA provides a platform for both emerging and established Arab talents in Berlin and beyond, whether they’re DJs spinning beats or drag performers captivating audiences. We are committed to creating a safe(r) environment and fostering community connections, welcoming allies and lovers of Arabic music to join us in our celebration of Arab culture. Come dance with us under the neon lights as we redefine club culture, one beat at a time.
Note: Arab denotes a diversity of identities and ethnicities within Southwest Asia and North Africa.
co-founders of ADIRA
- Hassandra (they/them) is a Beirut-born, Berlin-based multidisciplinary artist, DJ, MUA and event organizer. They hold a Bachelor’s degree in Theatre and Stage Acting from the Lebanese University in Beirut. Hassandra's artistic explorations delve into themes such as migration, nostalgia, and queer living archives. Hassandra is the co-founder of Critical Queer Solidarity , ADIRA Party and ADIRA Drag Festival, the first Arab drag festival. Additionally, they co-host the Baby, I'm Home! Podcast with Monica Gutierrez. In 2019, Hassandra won the title of Mx. Kotti Pageant, and since then, they have been performed in numerous theatre and film productions and on many stages both in Berlin and beyond.
- Zuher Jazmati aka xanaxattax is a Berlin based, Syrian-German DJ who merges tacky Arab-pop with femme Hiphop music. He lived several years in London where he was part of the queer-feminist party collective “PxssyPalace” where he started his DJing career. As a queer Syrian person who grew up in Saudi Arabia, Arabic-pop music was always present for him and is his source of music inspiration. xanaxattax was a resident DJ for Queer Arab Barty and played at different parties and festivals. xanax_attax is the co-founder of ADIRA Party and the co-host of the BBQ Podcast.
DumTak (Resident DJ) is a Palestinian-Jordanian DJ and Filmmaker based in Berlin. DUMTAK’s sets are a musical celebration of Arabic cultural heritage and a testament to the power of music to transcend borders and generations that foster a sense of belonging and inclusivity on the dance floor. From 80s, 90s, and current hits to Electro vibes.
- ADIRA - Soundcloud
- ADIRA - Spotify Playlist
- ADIRA - Instagram
- Arabischer Drag – widerständig anti-orientalistisch (Deutschlandfunkkultur)
Diarfest
DIARFEST 🌙✨ (aka. DIARCLUB) is an artists collective based in Hamburg, cofounded by Hanadi Chawaf (artist) and Osama Horani (designer), working on arab style concerts and events, focusing on visual art concepts and installations alongside collective memory from the SWANA* culture to create a unique party atmosphere. SWANA = South West Asia North Africa.
Hanadi and Osama are based in Hamburg since +10 years, Germans with Syrian roots, and have been working on this project for +2 years now. It started with the intention of representing Arabic art and culture in Germany in a proper, modern, and friendly way. They created an international and SWANA community in Hamburg that is based on tolerance and acceptance. This project is queer-friendly, and it’s getting bigger with every event or concert; till now, we‘ve made 18 different events in six different locations such as Knust and MS Stubnitz. This project is being built from scratch, and it is totally independent.
