Company Registration No. 07966699 (England and Wales) R8gistered charity number: 1150374 SHUBBAK: A WINDOW ON CONTEMPORARY ARAB CULTURE (A Not For Profil Company Llmlted By Guarantee) DIRECTORS. AND TRUSTEES, REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 CHANTER, BROWNE & CURRY Chartered Accountants I Plato Place 72-74 Sl Dionis Road London SW6 4TU.
SHUBBAK: A WINDOW ON CONTEMPORARY ARAB CULTURE CONTENTS Report ol the truslees and directors 1- 10 Independent examiner's report Slalem8nt of financial aclivi118S 12 Balance sheet 13 Statement ol cash flows 14 Notes lo the financial stai8ments 15.19
SHUBBAIL. A WINDOW ON CONTENIPORARY ARAB CULTURE .L>bJJ1 REPORT OF THE TFIUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 d WD0 O 10411WTrARI' .1.1 AaB(villR( The trustees who are also directors ol the charity for the purposes ot the Companies Act, present their report and the ffinaneiai statements for the year ended 31 March 2024 which are also prepared to meet the requirements for a dire¢tors' report and accounts lor Companies Act purposes. The flnancial 8laternenls comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Companies Act 2006, the Memorandum and Articles of Association, and in aceordance with the Statement of Rocomrnended Practice.. Accounting and Fieporting by Charities Preparing their accounts in accordance wlth th& Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic ol Ireland IFRS 1021 issued in October 2019 and tho Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the Llniled Kingdom and RePule of Iroland IFRS 1021. For the purF#)se5 of this ieport and financial Statements, r8fer8ncg$ to'shubbak" refer to thi5 charity, Chalf'• r¢port 2023f24 Saw us delivering th• 7th edition ol bhubbak Festival b8two6n 23 June and 9 July 2023, pre8enting an 8Xtraordinary program that captivalod moTe than 38,000 individuals across the UK with a ¢ore prograrnme delivered in London. Shubbak is Euiope's largesl fesllval ol contemporary Arab and South West Asian and North African ISWANAI cultures, bringing groundbieaklng and unexpected art works lo the UK. Working with a range ol artist's from th¢ region and Irs diaspora, this year's festival showcased over 80 events including 16 UK premiers and 13 world premiers, and spanning 111m scre9nlngs, me5merlsing dance perforrnances, enrl¢hlng workshops, and sensational music shows. In athjition, thought-provokSng talks and engaging panels ¥vere held both onllne and ottllne, offering divorse perspectives and stiMulanll ¢onversalions Shubbak exists to support and ¢818brate the div&rsily ol Arab and SWANA arli51s' ¢realivSty and innovation through our prolesslonal, partlcipatory and engagement programmes, national touriftg and biennial rnulti-artlorm festival. Working w¢lh a range of partngrs nationally and inlernallonally, we commSssion, inltiate and develop projects that encourag8 a wide range of crgalive approaches in an artist-centred, audience focused process. We ar8 grateful for Shubbak's hathorking and didicaled staff, and the Truslegs, tireless eommilm8nt to our objectives lo.. Prosenl the best of conl8mporary Arab / SIIIANA arts & cullur8S through ongoing prograrnmes of activity and an ambitious blennial leslival. Provlde suslained 8ngag8ment IOT our communi118s through our inclusive prograrnmes and audience dev¢lopmenl. Dovelop a sustainable OTganlsalional strategy that diversifies income streams, and systems that address our 9nvironmental responsibillty. Champion div8rse staff and pave pathways lor careers Into the cultural $8ctor. Be a leading voice within and lor thg UK Arab I SWANA seclor. Wo $tand limi on our three pl11$ ol Artlslle Excellenc8, Fr•edom of Exprgssion as wèll as our ngwly.added CommunSty Partlcipation. We espoeially want lo thank our donor8, funders and supportors, in¢ludlng tho Arts Coun¢il England, British Counc51. Bagrl Foundation, Cockayne Grants for the Arts and Q<ittan Foundation. W& also want lo thank our partners irlUding Barblcan. Engllsh Pen, Grand Junction, Counterpoints, Melroland Cultures and the Iraqi Wornen's SoGiety. Our purpo¥• and actlvili99 The PUTSe lobjectl of the chaTity is: To advance th8 education of the public in Arab cullufe and other aspects ol Arabic arts, culture and heritage through public perfoimanc9s and discussions Thg Irusle8s confinr thal thoy have complied wrth the duty in section 17 ot the Charitl&s Act 2011 to have due regard to the publlc b9neflt guidance published by the Commission. In shaping our objectives lor the year and in planning our activities. the trustees have considered thg Charity Commisbion's guidance on public benefit, including the guidance on public benelit and fee charging. Shubbak works in partner8hip with art8 inslitulions across London, and In $8tting the level ol fees, charges and concessions. the trusl89s give careful consideialion to the accessibility lo events for those on low incomes. We also ensured a wide range ol ffee events were held in order to have th8 broadest level of access posslble. The vision that shapes our annual activities is the promolion and fostering of knowledge and the appreciation of the arts, in pailicular those produced by artists in or from Ihg Arab world through the provision ol events lor the education and recreation ot the public In Ihg fields of visual arts, literature, music, drama arKI dance. Page 1
SHUBBAK: A WINDOW ON CONTEMPORARY ARAB CULTURE REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES (coTrrriNUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 A WINDOW OF4 £fjNIIIWRAPY .1 ARAB ILlflfft15 The strategies employed lo achieve the charity's aims and objectives are= lo stage a large-scale 0-week festival thal offers London, UK and international audiences tha chance lo discover and ènjoy scme of Ihe most axciling voices and praciitionèrs ol contemporary Arab culture, in partnership with lèading cultural organisalions in London, the UK and the Arab region. to Increase understanding ol contemporary Arab issues through culture, and encourage discussion, international partnerships and exchange of ideas. to celebrate the contribution ol Arab communilles In London and engag8 with th8m as creators and audlences. to recognise the enduring relationship betW88n London and the Arab world. Putting these strategies Into action we have on8 major area of actlvlly every hvo years, which Is th8 Shubbak leslival. Our prograrnm8 ol activities also focus95 on audience developmènt and accessibility, bringlng the arts to Ihe widest posslble community In London and in the UK, in line wlth our current business plan. Thls includes iniliallves such as Young Shubbak, a programme working with 18-25 year old artists, creatlV8s and producers lowards curating Ihe5r own strand in the festival. Achlovements In the porlod Shubbak 2023 was one of the most ambStious yel in scale and depth, presenlino over 80 events across mora than 40 loGalions lo an audl8nce of over 38,000. The programme was brave and urgent, embracing tha complexity of Arab and SWANA artists, and communities, re5pons8 lo the wortd loday. In addition to the mulli-art form programme, thought-provokin9 talks and engaging panels were held both onllne and offline, offering diverse perspectives and stlmulating conversations. Our majority women artists shared ngw discourse on environmenlal calaslrophe, Blackness & womanhood, and marking 75 years ol the Nakba. Our work saw us collaboraling with a range ol venues, from th8 refugee group BIL bylon Migrants Project lo the Royal Opera House. The festival was as accessible as possible. always seeking to be reeepiive and welcoming to everyone not least with our Access Tickot Scheme. The energy was high, and our programmè was purposeful in Gonnecting to new, young audiences previously unknown lo Shubbak. We launched with a loud, proud and celebratory weekend at the National Theatre's Rivar Stage. and made our way lo inllmale workshops amongst the marshes as well as Ihought-provoking closed conversatlons in hi51orlc venues. We embraced co-curatorial and producing partnerships with new and old partnars alike. In thls tlme we dellvered.. 17 co-commlssioned new works 13 world premieres 16 UK premieres 15 sold-out shows We exceeded our ACE aclivity output and surpass9d our largels across most ol the Categories. Thg full prografflme remalns as an archlve on our websit8, Wlth an additional catalogue of photographs and a highlighls video. National Theatre Rivgr Stagg We opened with our lake over of Ihe National Thealre Rlver Stage, a brilliant public platform to announce the festival's arrival to London and beyond, inviting existing audiences, slakeholdars and partners, and capluring new accidental audiences as well. Launching the festival in such an iconic place in London enabled us lo start loud & strong. We made the best of the weèkend lo display our programme for passer5-by lo experiencé us, distributing flyers and our programma, promote our events across the city and beyond with the help of a trib8 of enthusiastic volunteers, and 8Stablishing our identity as a festival with diverse offers for a range of audiences- from the bold and experimental, to the inleraclive and accessibl8. Page 2
SHUBBAK: A WINDOW ON CONTEMPORARY ARAB CULTURE i J REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 A WINMW rxi CONIEXPO I )RAB IVIIWIIS Achievements in the perlad (contlnued) Hamèd Sinno - Poems of Consumption18arbicanl Hamed Sinno (of Mashrou, Leila) was in residency with Shubbak between January July culminating in a 75-minute debut solo show al the Balcan. The mulli-laceled concert. led by Hamed's aXC8Plional vocals, blended electronics with a virtuouso lour-slring quartet, inv8ntive evolving set, and original film. This was a much-anticipated moment lor the hislory of Arab music, with several audic,i¢e members tlying into London especially lor the occasion. It serves as an important landTnark for how Shubbak can be a16ader in Ihe ever-growing Arab & SWANA music scene. The show toured lo Rabal in June 2023 and several cilies alterwards. Sh8d6n - All Hell Broke Loose (Conway Hall) This was Shubbak's first rnajor comedy and Arabic-only acl. It really Ilcked all three of our pillars within its 60 minute duration. The show was incredibly intelligent, sharp and achingly hilarious. Shadgn is ever-rising in popularity and it feels like Shubbak is navigating new and exciting terrain by programming a voiGe like hers as so18 producers. The show was presented al Conway Hall in London as well as bging part of the 8radford Literature Fgslival. Ya5moen Audisho Ghrawi - From Th8 Daughter of a Diolator126 Crowndalél Yasmeen instantly connected with the audience in her debut solo show, a refreshingly-lold tale ol family migration, largely driven by its narrativ8 arc. Incorporating subtle physicality with the warm Arab humour, this shcw has sinc6 toured across the UK. Hannah Khalil - Trouf: Scenes from 75 years {26 Crowndale) unique Tunisi8JPal8StinelUK ccllaboralion led by Hannah Khalll, chris While and Ghazi Zaghbani. The evolutionary play, originally written as a growing record of life in Palastine, was a very timely piece for our Nakba focus. This particular production was ther. co-devised with performers in Tunis, and was ils firsl international performance. Hassan Abdulrazzak - Chambers ol the Heart126 Crowndale) The playwright's nèw one wornan play was read beautifully by Laila All. It felt important lor us to continue supporting the local Arab theatre scene, and hold 5paco lor this text in its fruition stages. Moham8d Toukabri Power of the Fraoile IBAC) A 18nder and transformative piece between molher & 50n, beautifully perform8d and executed by the performers, It raised such foundational questions about inlergen8rational knowledge Iransler, parent-ohilé relalionships in Ihe region, and what il rneans to return home lo the womb aller years ol migration. Through this meeting wlth the audienc8, Mohamed helps his 65 year-old mother realise her lifelong dream ol becoming a dancer. The BAC wer8 an excellent co-prDgramming partn8r on this, and il has cemented great trust and a repeatable working model. Yasmin Fedda- Pathogon ol War IBACI Established documenlary filmmaker Yasmin Fedda turn8d her practice to live art with her debut interactive installation. 11 was one ot our most art-lorm transcendgnl experiential work5, and although il only allowed a handful of audience into each sharing. tha riveting subjecl matter echoed beyond the show. The work drew the attention ol a numbgr ol festivals which were pursued, including being selected lor competition at the International Documentary Festival of Amsterdam. Llsa luxx & Jasmin Kent-Rcdgeman - What Iho Dog Said to the Harvest Isoulhbank Contrel This immersive call lor climate justice fell groundbreaking in both its performative epiGn8ss and the philosophy underpinning the stories. It was unapologetic in its directness and mixes opera, dance, spoken word, immersive sound and film. The audignce was invited to move around the space as the pertormance unfolded around them. We werè proud to SLtpport th8 artists in their first projecl ol this scale, with opera in the midst and with such a large team of women from the global majority world. Page 3
SHUBBAK: A WINDOW ON CONTEMPORARY ARAB CULTURE REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 A N[•W LONIIIIPORARY I IRAR (UITMS Achlevements In the perlod (contlnued) Yaa Samarl _ Losing it (The Yard) As one of the most popular performanc8s from Palestine amongst Internatlonal festivals, we were immensely proud to bring this show as part of our leslival. A captivating choreography devised and performed by Samaa Wakim and wilh an unsèttling liv& score underpinned by Samar Haddad King, it brought a lev81 of discourse around trauma and awareness practices, making it one ol the ffiost quièlly intens8 conlribulions lo the festival. Hardl Kurda & Khabal Abbas - Th8 Legilimaied Body & Navigated Listener IWal8rmans & TobaGco Factory, Slemani) This was Shubbak's first event in Slemani, Iraq, a turning point in exploring th8 polenlials of digital collaborations, environmentally conscientious low-Irav81 options, and engaging with audiences in Iraqi Kurdlslan. In collaboration wlth Station House Opèra's groLindbreaking technology. Hardi &Khabal transcended borders in an interactive exchange ol sound Ir8quencies. Audiences manipulated radios and medilatively morphed their bodies into one another. Family members came together across the divide. wilhoul the need lor language. Colelle Dalal Tchantcho - Dreamer IBAC) To our knowledge, this is the first performance piece from the region addressing the de8ply entrenched racism experienced by Afro and 81ack Arabs. A running theme of this edition was in introspection and accounlabilily from within, reversing thèlens of the while gaze's sympathies lor our social injustices. Th& most striking example of this is in Colette's work-in-progress, a serni-autobiographical performance ol urgent witness about three Black women in Arab society. Both p8rforrnances sold out aiid alongside BAC we are now continuing lo develop the work towards a finished piecè in 2027. Ghalia 88nali IKings Plac81 This concert was one ol those that instantly brings its audience home homg. Excellently produced by MARSM, thè show sold out with h8artening audience turnout, the majority ol whom were Arab. Bahiyya (Omearal This was a very n8w band lor Shubbak, cijraled by MARSM. Their show at Omeara was inlimale, following their presence al the National ThBatre River Stag&. The audience at the show was very distinct trom others Ipoinl at being largely newl, and almost entirely Egyptian. Love & Revenge {RichMlxl Curaled by MARSM, Wael Koudaih ol L&R rglurned to Shubbak with a tre5h con¢&pi cl mixing eleclro-pop with Gold8n Age Arab cinema - a truly unlque ofier. A Friend's Kitchen {Sile-Sp8cific, aueensway) An intimale stroll with poet Al Seddiq El Radi along the slreets ol Qu9ensway. weaving personal hislories with anecdolal neighbourhood musings. 11 was engaging, emolional, and anoth6r celebration of the Arabic language amongsl London's streets. The producing partnership with Poetry Translation Centre was fruitful, and Ihe format refreshing and ong to endeavour to expand upon for the next edition. When the Land Speak5 (Site-specilic, Hackney Marshes) Imaginalively ouraled by Young Shubbak alumna Riwa Saab, this multi-artisl guided walk on Ihe last day of the leslival was pure nourishment for the body and soul. Set along Hackney Marshes and culminating in workshops in a community centre, groups ol diverse participants were guided by sound artist Bint Mbareh, poet Ola Elhassan, and visual artisl Juliette Mourad. The event was lully booked and with a waiting list. revealing a real thirsl lo forge alternative ways of connecting to our culture> within nature in non-event spaces. Finding refuge in earth, plants, and sounds in the inlensily ol an urban metropole that is London evidenced how Arab artists are at th8 centre of creative avenues for healing. Page 4
SHUBBAK: A WINDOW ON CONTEMPORARY ARAB CULTURE REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES (CONTINUED} FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 Awiiifh)WON Achievements In Iha perlod (Contlnued) When the Night Speaks (The Yard) With her second event at Shubbak, Riwa Saab curated a lineup ol young female DJS, rnany ol whom wère previously unknown to th8 team. This was the key party of the progTamme, and also sold out lo a very mixed, bul mostly young Arab and Global Majority audience. Olive Jar {Grand Junclionl Drama therapist Elia5 Malar passionately led a year-long workshop series with community members of Arab heritage local lo Grand Junction, exploring the rich heritage of West Londoners from Syria. Iraq, Palestine, Lebanon, Algeria. Egypl. and beyond. Th9 Sessions allowed lor play acknowledging that sometimes grownups just need lo play in ordgr to heal. A number ol participants described the process ol tolling th8ir stories on stage as translormalivg, and the communal w99kly dinners as a huge Source ol comfort and remedy lor homesickness. The performance gained media coverage and was sold out 8very night. We are continued our partnership with Grand Junction with artists Alaa El Saraji and Dima Mekdad leading lull workshops through the Autumn, with participation from Young Shubbak throughoul. I Will Not Fold These Maps by Muna Kareem (British Library) Muna Kareem returnèd lo London lor the launch ol her unapologetic book of surreal, wondrous poetry. Reading in ArabiG to an almost exclusively (full) Arab audience, thère was such depth of purpose in her woTd5 and rhythm. Members ol the 8idun London group were present, and the exchange was emolivo, particularly as Muna was recently refused entry to Kuwait due to her criticism ol the government's Irealmenl of the Bidun. Bad Diaspora Poems by Momlaza Mehri (Grand Junction) Momlaza Mehri launched hgr debut book ol poetry amongst a majority young Somali audience, paying homage to the Complexiiy of diasporic 8xistence land post-exislencel. Falling on Eid, it was mel with a concerted ellort by audience lo Gome together and mark the mornenl. As with Olive Jar, Grand Junction was a wonderful partner to work wilh. Totalitarian Props curated by Nai'laa Elageli and Tewa Bamosa (The Africa Centrel This transdisciplinary exhibition explored and investigates certain acts of tyranny, particularly within th8 context of the Pan-Africanism ideal and Pan-Arabism dream. Artists from Egypt, Libya and Sudan brought intimate insight into archival works and research journeys, unleashing the imagination lo represent what life féals like under lolalitarian rule. This was the first lime curators Najlaa Elageli and Tewa Barnosa worked together and in such an intergeneralional way. Sound & Silence by Soraya Sy8d (The Coronet Th8atrel An intricately executed multi-layer8d exhibition, with innovative use of magnetic materials lo interrogate the relationship between calligraphy, Ine human form and spirituality brought to ShLJbbak by the master calligrapher Soraya Syed. The unusual venue attracted a divers8 and curious audience. The calligraphy workshops al Cromwell Place were popular and we are now interested lo explore how communal calligraphy circles could lealure as part ol our engagement prooramme, as the art form18nds itself to ¢ontemplative convgrsation and refleGlion. Rest, Play, Feast Imelroland Cultures) Rest, Play, Feast was a community day w8 described as 'an urban retreat for families, intended to give parents, especially women, some well.deservgd rest. Children's workshops and a play-spaGe with a licensed childcara provider werè planned, a5 well as an acG95S SUPPOrt worker lo accommodate any special needs. The highlight of the day was Ihe engaging embroidery workshop by the brilliant Tatreez Colleotive. LAILA SOLIMAN, BUSHRA EL-TURK- Woman at Point Zero (Royal Opera House) Woman At Point Zero was first commissioned by Shubbak in 2017, premiering at the Royal Opera House as a work- in-progress as part cf the festival that year. It was sincé further developed and produced by the Belgian production company, LOO alongside the Roy81 Opera House and Britten Pears. We saw the fallDW-through of a project 7 years in the making. The production was contained and elfective, held by Bushra El-Turk's captivating score, masterfully performed by the Zar Orchestra. Dirna Orsho is an operatic talent. Page 5
SHUBBAK: A WINDOW ON CONTEMPORARY ARAB CULTURE JL•&Il ¥AL4 REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 IWNth)WON (lIDR¥ .1 IRI8 [rU5 Achievoments In th8 p8rlod (continued) As part of this package, we held a discursive event 'The Stereotype is tha Story,, in which artists from the Global Majority world communed over the question 'How do we hold our own when our truth might leed a ravenous stereoiype?, Particularly given the subjèct matter of the Woman Al Point Zero storyline. we wantecl to olf8r a sale space lor artists from Global Majority cultures lo discuss how thay speak their truth wilhoul reverberating siereoiypes in a worfd drowned out by redundant and r&ductionist steraolypes, not least about Global Majoriiy culturès. This opèn conversalion was lollowed by an aflorcare space to addrèss any trigger points, IMEDEA by Sulaiman Al 8assam (Stonenesll Du8 to visa issues, IMEDEA was postponed to Seplember and11 was r8c8ived with Much warmth from Ihe audience, nol least with the outstanding performance Irom Hala Omran and the music duo Two and the Dragon. Tamara El-Ma5houk I'd Search Forever, I Want to Remember {Dover Citadel & Fri8z8 London) In her most ambitious UK presentation to dale. Tamara compassionately asks whethgr matter remembers the way human bodies do. Filling a wave machine with water Irom the English channel and setting il in dialogue with danGer Fadi Giha, she weaves photographs from Dover's shorelines with artefacts crgaled during participatory workshops.11 was Shubbak's first lime in Dover, and hundreds ol audiences gathered throughout the day-long programme. As a r8suII ol this summar's exhibitions, Tamara screened a film documenting thè process with her wave machine on display al No 9 Cort< Street. Sonic Frontiers 01 & 02 Shubbak worked for thè first lime with Christina Hazboun of Th8 Sonic Agent lo bring two evenings ol powerful, defiant Palestinian, Lebanese and Tunisian women musicians èxperimenting with sonic formations and approach lo music-making. Both evgnls sold out their intimate venues. highlighting audience appetite for this kind ol work. Particularly slandoul is the collaboration between Maya Al Khalidi and Sarouna, who use archive and field recordings in their contemporary aural practice. Safar Film Festival Our partnership with the Arab British Cenlre's Salar Film Festival 15 always mutually supportive and tremendously rewarding. Tools for Solidarity - Yalla Seeding Imosaic Floomsl Permacullure activist Mohammed Saleh collaborated with Resolve Collective and the M05aic Floom's Learning Curalor lo engago Sittle ones and their people in seed bombing. An online lesson plan was shared with schools. families and community groups. Mohammed was a natural, weaving slor18s and guiding 8xercises for bolh young and old. Arts & Disability Delegation We h05ted an Arts & Disability delegation for the firsl time, in collaboration with Sync Leadership and Art 2 Hearl Palestine. In recognition of the multi-fold impact on Arab artlSt5 living with a disability in a geo-politically unstable region, we created this opportunity as a tirsl-slgp towards addressing the in8quality of opportunities, and hence the reduced outcome5 and outputs, for artists living with a disability from the region. We are currently supporting two Shubbak artists to apply for an unlimiled disabled artist collaboration fund. We thank the British council lor their support ol thi5 programm8. Vital Capacities Exhibition - Shaima Ali Our largesl online offering, Shairna Ali (Sync Arabi programme participant) presented a number of video art works and photographs of her sculptures in a digital gallery generously hosted by Vital Capacities. Over a period of a month. long residency, Shaima was able to experiment with a multiplicity of perspectives on daily li18 in Palestine. Page 6
SHUBBAK: A WINDOW ON CONTEMPORARY ARAB CULTURE AU4LUI REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 A lYllIt)OW Oh .1 IRAE IUIIVK5 Team and Managemenl During the lestival period, the team consisled of 2 Joint CEOS, one General Manager, 1 Festival Producgr, 2 Engagement Producers, 2 Marketing & Comms Managers as a jobshare, and 2 free-lance producers. The festival also powered by a community of dedicated volunteers for whom we are grateful. Shortly alter the leslival, we relurned back to our core slruGlure, consisting of 2 Joint CEOS, one General Manager, and one Engagement Producer. During the period one ol the Joint CEOS stepped down, and the organisalion was reslruclured so Ihal the other Joint CEO took on the ro19 01 Artistic Director & CEO solely. By the ¢lose ol the financial year the organisation ¢onsisled ol an Artistic Director & CEO, a Senior Producer and a single person in th8 dual role ol General Manager & Producer. Governing Document The Charity is also known by Ihg name ol Shubbak and is a company limited by guarantee having been incorporated on 27 February 2012,. and registered as a charity on 7 January 2013. It is gov8rned by its Memorandum and Articles of Association, which established the objects and powers of the charitable company. In the event that th8 charily is dissolved, each member will contribute up lo £1 towards Ihe cost of dissolution and the liabilities incurred by the Charity. Recrultm8nl and appolnlm8nl of Irustees As set out in th& Articles of Association, the memberls} may propose and appoint any willing person lo act as a Iruslee for the Charity. A trustèe's term ol offic8 Is three years. When considering a nominated trustee, th8 charity will take into account the skills ol existing Iruslees, ol the proposed trustee and the skills required by the Charity. The Iwstees are also the directors ol Ihe company. We bid a fond farewell to Irusiees Shadicl El Dardiry. Lynn Gaspard, Sumantro Ghose and Almir Koldzic. We welcom8 new trustees Ellzabeth Ann Brlogs and Sandra Sfeir. Trustee Indu¢tlon and tralnlng New trustees will be made familiar with the objectives, business plan and financial status ol the charily. Trustees will also be given a copy ol the r8levant guidance material from the Charily Commission. Risk Management An annual risk review Is undertaken by the trustees. The Trustees examine the major stratogic. business and operational rtsks which the charity taces and will pul in place systems lo mitigate these risks. Page 7
SHUBBAK: A WINDOW ON CONTEMPORARY ARAB CULTURE .JL•WJI AEPORT OF THE TRUSTEES (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 A W1Nw0N ((XITEMFQ .1 aAA8CULIW4 Flnanclal Review Th& annual accounts show total income receSved for ihe year of £507.862 {2023: £310,784). Expenditure lor the yéar amounlod to £557,134 {2023: £273,715) and was primarlly spent on delivering the 2023 festival and community engagement projects which locusgd on achieving our charitable objective. Reséms Pollcy The Truslges have reviewed the charty's needs for resèrv&s in line with the guldance issued by the Charliy Commission. Shubbak's policy on rèserves ¢onllnu6s to hold reserves that enable the organlsalion to: ansure there 1$ sufllcl8nt mongy to Continue our core a¢tlvilies during a perlod ol unlores88n dilliculty,, develop th8 organlsation, including travel and strategic r8lalionships to expand partnership; undertake special projects and one-off aclivilies in kooplng with Shubbak's vision. The Trustees have examined the requirement for reserves not invested in langlble fixed assets lo cover the remalning cornmitted operational activitles from income for three months. Based on currenl ¢ommltmenls. this requirement is £30,000. At Ihg yèar end date, Ihg free reserves of lh8 charty amounted to £122,712. Our J$plratlons for th• f•gtlval We ended the y8ar looking ahead to Shubbak Fesllval 2025 with the commllmenl lo Ir1al a more contalned yel equally ambitious leslival with Igwer events over a longer period ol lime. The Artisti¢ Director & CEO'S asplralions lor Ihis next lestival Is that It is slower, with car8 deeply embedded not lust in the programming but also in the proc85$ 01 delivery. Espgcially as Arab & SW ANA artists In the UK and in the region navigate the vi018nce against theli lands and Ihelr people, and with this impacting Stall within th8 organisalion as well, we aspiro lo not only furnish our programme with Ihg usual bold artistic excell¢n¢e that has characterised our festival sinc8 11$ incepilon, bul lo introduce ways ol working that can hold our artists and our audlence as well as our stall and tru81aes. Page 8
SHUBBAK: A WINDOW ON CONTEMPORARY ARAB CULTURE REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 A oy (QNIIMPOP .IAUB(ULTURES Ref•roncg and administlallve details egislered charSly number 1150374 Company number 07966699 Registered office 1 Gough Square London EC4A 3DE Our adv180r8 Independent Examlner Chanter, Browne & Curry Chartered Accountants 1 Plato Place 72-74 St Dionis Road London SW6 4TU Solicitors Thomas Eggar LLP Belmont Hous8 Station Way Crawlay West Sussex RH10 1JA Bankers Lloyds TSB Bank plc 19-21 The Quadrant Richmond Surrey TW9 1 BP Dlrectors and trn81888 The dlreclors ol the charltable ¢ompany Ithe charltyl are its tru810os for the purpose ol charity law. Thè trustees and ofllcers serving during the year and sIre th8 yeai end were as follows: Fady Alrayyes Andrew Marcus Rlwa Saab Elizabeth Ann 8riggs lappoinled 26 June 20241 Sandra Sfeir {appoinled 26 June 20241 Zeina NajjaT (appolnted 30 October 2024) Shadla El Dardiry (resigned 12 June 2024) Lynn Gaspard (resigned 12 June 20241 Sumantro Ghose (resigned 12 June 2024} Almir Koldzic {resigned 12 June 2024) Page 9
SHUBBAK: A WINDOW ON CONTEMPORARY ARAB CULTURE REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 A WINfM)w (JN IONitMFOW( Statemenl ol Trustees, Responslbllllleg The Truste8s {who are dso directors of Shubbak lor the purposes of company lawl are responsible for preparing the Truslees, Report and the financial slatemenls in ac¢ordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards {Unlted Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice.) Company law requires the Trustees to prapare financial statements lor each financial year which give a true and fair vlew of the state of th8 affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure. of the charitable company for that Pgriod. In preparing thèse financial stalemenls, Ihe Trustees are required to: select suitabl8 accounting pollcies and then apply them consistently,. observe the methods and prlnciples in the Charltles SOFIP., make judgements and estirnales Ihat ar8 reasonable and prudenl. stale whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject lo any materlal departures disclosed and 8xplained in Iho financial statements. prepar8 the financial statements on the going concern basls unless it Is inappropriate lo pr@sume that the charitable company will continue in business. The Truslaes are rgsponsibla for keeping proper accounting records that dlsclose with reasonable accuracy at any tirne the financial position of the charitable company and enable them to ensure that the financial slalemenls comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible lor safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps lor Ihe prev8nlion and deleclion of Iraud and other Irregularllles. Small company oxemmion These accounts have been prepared in accordan¢8 with the special provlsions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating io small companies. By order ol the Trust888 Sandra Sfelr Trustee Date: 14 January 2025 Page10
SHUBBAK: A WINDOW ON CONTEMPORARY ARAB CULTURE INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF SHUBBAK.. A WINDOW ON CONTEMPORARY ARAB CULTURE ("the Company") I report to the Company's trustees on my examination of the financial statements of the Company for the year ended 31 March 2024, which compris8 the statement of financial activities, the balance sheet, th8 statement of cash flows and the related notes. Responslbllltle8 and basis ol report As the trustees ol the Company land also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of Ihe financial statamenls in accordanco wlh Ihe requirements of the Companies Act 2006 ('the 2006 Act'l. Having satisfied myself thal the linancial stat&m&nts of the Company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examinalion, I report in respect of my examination ol your Companls financial statements as carried out under section 145 of lh8 Charities Act 2011 {'the 2011 Act'l. In carrying out my examlnallon I have followed the Directions given by th8 Charity Commlsslon under section 14515) Ib) of the 2011 Act. Independenl examiner's statement sin the Company's gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that l am qualified to undertake the examination because l am a member of ICAEW which is one of the listed bodies. I have completed my examinalion. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe in any material respect: 1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act,. or 2. the financial statements do not accord with those records" or 3. the financial statements do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a Xrue and fair view, which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination., or 4. the financial staternents have not been prepared In accordance with the methods and principles ol the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities lapplicable lo charities preparing their financial stalements in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicabl@ in the UK and Republic ol Ireland IFRS 10211. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examinatlon to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached. P.G. Browne FCA CTA Chanter, Browne & Curry Chartered Accountants 1 Plato Place 72-74 St Dionis Fload London SW6 4TU. Date: 14 January 2025 Page11
SHUBBAK: A WINDOW ON CONTEMPORARY ARAB CULTURE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 SUMMARY INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT 2024 Notes Unrestrlctod De$lgnwled funda funds R¢&trlcted lunds Total funds Tolal funds INCOME Granls and donations Charitable activities Intergsl received 341,807 795 376 82,164 45,600 423,971 83,515 376 303,951 6,833 37.120 Total income 342 978 37.120 127,764 507 862 310784 EXPENDITURE Raising funds Charitable activit188 1.170 297,877 1,170 184,554 555.964 73,533 273,715 Tolal oxpendlturo 299,047 73,533 184,554 557,134 273,715 Net Incomo befor• transfers 43,931 {36,4131 156,790) 149.2721 37,069 TransfeTS between funds 12,5001 2,500 Net fflovament In tunds for tha year 41,431 {33,9131 156,790) 149,2721 37,069 RECONCIUATION OF FUNDS Total lund$ brought forward 81,281 61,413 71.790 214,484 177,415 TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 122712 185212 214484 The Statement ol Financial Activities includes all gains and Ios5e5 in the period. All incorne and expenditure derive from continuing activities. The notes on pages 15 to 19 form an Integral part of these financial statements. Page 12
SHUBBAK: A WINDOW ON CONTEMPORARY ARAB CULTURE BALANCE SHEET AT 31 MARCH 2024 2024 Total funds 2023 Total funds Notes Current assats Deblors Cash at bank and in hand 9,592 165,682 175.274 92,716 210,817 303,533 13 Credltors: amounts falling due within one year 10,062 89,049 Net a83ets 165.212 214,484 Funds of the charlty Restricted funds Designated funds Unrestricted funds 10. 11 15,000 27,500 122,712 71,790 61.413 81,281 165212 214484 In preparing these financial statements.. {a} The direclors ara of the opinion that the company is entitled to the exemption from audit conferred by Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006., {b} No notice has been deposiled under Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006, and {¢) The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for-_ (il ensuring that the company keeps accounting records which comply with Section 386 of the Companies Acl 2006. and (li) preparing financial stalements which give a Irue and fair view of the stata of affairs ol th8 company as at the end ol th8 financial period and of its surplus or deficil for the financial Period in accordance with the requirements of Sections 394 and 395. and otherwise comply with the requirements of Ihis Act relaling to accounts, so far as applicable to the company. These financial statements have been prepared In accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subjecl lo the small companies regime. The financial statements were approved by the board of directors and trustees on 14 January 2025, Sandra Sfelr Trusiee Company Reglstratlon Numbar: 07966699 The noles on pages 15 to 19 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 13
SHUBBAK: A WINDOW ON CONTEMPORARY ARAB CULTURE STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 Notes 2024 2023 Cash flows from operatlng aclivitles Net cash provided by operating activities 12 (45,135) (1,593) Change In cash and cash equivalents In the year Cash and cash equivalents broughl forward 210,817 212,410 Cash and cash aqulvalents Garrled lotrward 13 165682 210,817 The notes on pages 15 to 19 form an integral part of Ihese financial statements. Page 14
SHUBBAK: A WINDOW ON CONTEMPORARY ARAB CULTURE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMEIUS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 Ac¢ountlng policies 1.1 Basls of preparatlon Shubbak is a UK registered charity incorporated as a company limited by guarantee. The address of the registered off ice is given in the charity information on page 9. The nature of the charity's operations and principal activities are directed at advancing the education of the public in Arab culture and other aspects of Arabic arts, culture and heritage through public performances and discussions, including staging a biennial festival. The eharlty constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102. The flnancial staiements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charilies: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland issued in October 2019. the Financial Reporting Standard applicable In the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), the Charities Act 2011, and UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cosl convenlion with items recognis8d at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated. 1.2 Fund accountlng Unrestricted income funds represent Ihose resources which may be used towards meetlng any of the charitable objects of Shubbak at the discretion ol the trus18es. D88ignated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the trustees for particular purposes. Th8 aim and use of each designated fund is set out In the notes to the financial statements. Restricted funds are resources whlch are to be applied to specific purposes imposed by the funderldonor. 1.3 Income recognllion Items of income are recognised and included in the accounts when all of the following criteria are met: The charity is legally entitled to the funds; any performance conditions attached to the item(s) of income have been mei or are fully within the control of the charity., there is sufficient certainty that receipt of the income is considered probable" and the amount can be measured reliably. 1.4 Expenditure recognltlon Resources expended are included in the Statement of Financial Activities on an accruals basis, inclusive of any VAT which cannot be recovered. Expenditure directly attributable to any specific activities has been included in these cost activities. Wh8re costs are attributable to more than one aclivity they have been apportioned across categories on a basis consistent with the use of these resources. Page 15
SHUBBAIL. A WINDOW ON CONTEMPORARY ARAB CULTURE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (colNUED> FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 ststl co81s The company had an average of 5 employees during the year ended 31 March 202412023.. 5 employee$l- No employee was paid more ihan £60,000 in the year. TNstee8' romuneration and èxpenses A trustee. Riwa Saab, was paid artist lees tolalling £4,026 during the year ended 31 March 2024. No trustees received any rernuneration during Ihe 0 years ended 31 March 2024. No INstees were reimbursed lor expen88s during the two years ended 31 March 2024. 4 Income trom grants and donatlons 2024 Unr•slrkt•l Oeglgnatad Rostrleted lund• funds lunds 2023 T1 funds Totsl lund• AM Qattan Foundation Arts Council England Bagri Foundation British Council Cockayne - Grants for the Arts and The London Community Foundation Department for Work & Pensions English Pen Greal&r London Authority Hammersmith Unitèd Charlllos Medway Coun¢il Qalar Foundation International Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea SHED Private donors 35,000 35,000 171,564 60,000 73.540 35,000 86.564 20.000 96,972 171,564 60.000 73.540 15,000 9.025 2.000 1,140 7,500 2,500 26,350 26,704 26.704 26,784 26.764 5,400 5.400 9,999 9,999 1,500 15,000 15.000 400 423 $71 303 951 5 Income trom chorltable acllvltles 2W Unre8irlci•d tleslgnat4d R•strlctod lund8 funds fund6 2023 Tol•l fund8 Total fund¥ Tickets and venue contributions Consultancy 37,120 45,600 82,720 795 5,000 1,833 795 795 Page 16
SHUBBAIL. A WINDOW ON CONTEf41PORARY ARAB CULTURE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMEKfs (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 6 Expendllure 2024 DB¥lgt8d Aestrici•d funds fund¥ 2023 Unresirf¢ied lundl Total lund¥ YO furxls Raising funds Fundraising Gosts Charlty actlvlty ¢ost8 Festival and project costs Marketing and publicity Staff salaries Employers, National Insuranc8 Contrlbutlons Pension contributions Consultants Travel arKI accommodailon 52.521 23,886 154.346 12,115 3,256 3,700 73.533 149,792 3.971 18,151 275,847 27,857 172,497 12,115 3,256 3,700 99,639 3,152 124,740 8,017 2,772 1,678 7.553 247 551 184554 516 805 Support C08t8 Rant General office overheads 11.383 11,383 10,539 Govorn•n¢e ¢oJts Indeptrndgnt examlner'5 1•8 Boafd dev8lopmenl oanlsalional dgvolopm6ni Legal lees 3,300 3,740 2,426 3,300 3,740 2,426 3,180 1,143 13 452 Total 8xpendlturo on choritoblo Nctl¥lll88 297,87T 73.533 184,554 555,964 273,715 Total oxpendlture 273715 7 Dobtor• 2023 Trade debtors Accrued inGome So¢ial security and other taxes Cxher debtOTS 30D 5,731 2,792 769 80,000 9,025 72 3,619 Crodltors: amounts falling due wilhln one year 2024 2023 Trade ¢redltors Accruals Deferred inc¢m6 Other uedilors 7,062 3,OOD 3,802 4,668 80,000 579 9 Transters b•tween funds 2024 Do¥lgnat0d lund8 Unrerl¢tod fund HoslrS¢tgd fund8 Translgr to designated fijnd - overheads reserve (2,5001 2,500 Page 17
SHUBBAK: A WINDOW ON CONTEMPORARY ARAB CULTURE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 10 Slalement ol lundg The income funds of the charity include restricted funds comprising the following:_ Movement In funds Curreni year Tran$t8rs between funds Balance 1 April 2023 Incoming resource8 Resources oxpended Balanc8 31 March 2024 Restricted funds Designated fund Unrestricted funds 71,790 61,413 127.764 37,120 342,978 507 862 (184,554) (73,533) 299,047 557 134 15,000 27,500 122.712 165 212 2,500 214484 Prlor yoar Movement in funds Tran$ters between funds Balance 1 Aprll 2022 Incoming resources Aèsources xpended Balanc¢ 31 March 2023 28,256 22.500 126659 177 415 177,962 36,413 (134,428) 71,790 61,413 Restricted funds Designated fund Unrestricted funds 2,500 139287 214 484 Deslgnated fund The designaled fund comprises unreslricted funds that have been set aside by the trustees to me81 any exceptional costs or circumslances. Restrlcled funds Restricted funds are resources which are to be applied to specific Purposes imposed by Ihe funderldonor. Page18
SHUBBAK: A WINDOW ON CONTEMPORARY ARAB CULTURE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 11 Analysls ot net assets between funds Current year Unr••trkted lunds Deslgnjted tund Restricted funds Total 132,774 (10,062) 122 712 27,500 15,000 175,274 {10,062) 165 212 Current assets Creditors.. amounts falling due within ono year Prlor year UnT••trlct•d lund3 De81gnated fund Restricted funds Total 303,533 (89,049) 214484 Current assets Credilors: amounts falling due within on8 year 170,330 {89,049) 61,413 71,790 12 A•conclliatlon of not movement In funds to net cash flow from operating acllvlti89 2024 2023 Net income for the year (as per Stat8ment of Financial Activities) (49,272) 37,069 (Increaselldecrease in debtors Increas81{decrease) in creditors 83,124 (78,987) (88,978) 50,316 Net cash provld8d by operatlng activltles 13 Analygls ot ca8h and cash equivalonls 2024 2023 165 682 210817 Cash at bank 14 Members, guarantee Al 31 March 2024, the company had seven members. Each member's guarantee is limited to £1. Page 19