Called “the Romeo and Juliet of the East” by Lord Byron, Nezāmi’s celebrated poem, Layla and Majnun, is a classic of Farsi and Sufi poetry that weaves together mystical and secular sources to create an epic love story. Drawn from an old Bedouin legend originating in the Najad desert, it chronicles a tragic romance filled with forbidden love, self-sacrifice, and heartbreak. Since its creation, Layla and Majnun has influenced large swathes of Middle Eastern literature.

Join us as Jumana Moon adapts this tale by fusing music, and storytelling into a multi-arts performance, breathing new life into a centuries-old narrative with musician Abdullah Mufa on percussion and ney flute.

This two-hour performance will include a short intermission.

About The Speaker

Jumana Moon is a story teller who will be performing at Bradford Literature Festival 2022 Family Fun Days

Jumana Moon

Jumana Moon is a storyteller with a great love of stories of all kinds, they are, she says, ‘her favourite things’. Jumana has a particular passion for stories from her Islamic faith, stories from both sacred text and the rich tradition of folklore & wisdom tales. Jumana enjoys working in collaboration with other storytellers, musicians & poets and has created her own storytelling pieces as well as working on larger group projects. She tells in schools, universities and at a wide range of cultural and community events across the UK and beyond. Jumana co-founded and co-runs Stowtellers, a monthly storytelling club in northeast London. She also works as a school based child psychotherapist, using play & mixed arts media. She believes that story and creativity are essential for our lives & communities, for both children and adults.  

About The Musician