A showcase of Arab arts at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival has been thrown into disarray after nearly a quarter of the performers were refused enter to the UK. Actors, dancers, musicians and technicians from Egypt, Syria, Palestine and Sudan were denied visas, with some receiving letters from the British immigration authorities casting doubt as to whether they would leave after the artistic programme had finished.
Arab Arts Focus, which has backing from the British Council, has spent over £5,497 in their battle with the Home Office so far. Sara Shaarawi, an Egyptian playwright who is one of the coordinators told The Guardian, ‘the problems for us are never ending.’
17 April 2-17
