#ArtsCultureHeritageCOP27 & CultureCOP Assembly
Funded by USAID, the Climate Heritage Network in partnership with CultureCOP and Julie’s Bicycle held an extraordinary day-long public event to which 300+ individuals registered. The day opened with soulful music from Egypt’s Nermein El Rawi and turned to a series of spirited conversations on ‘Culture as a pillar of Climate Action.’ With contributions from Andrew Potts, HRH princess Diana Firas, Sunshine Dunstan Moore, Dr Ossama Abdel Meduid. A discussion about the intersection of ‘Culture Networks & Climate Mobilisation’ featuring leaders of diverse networks sharing approaches to unlocking the power of culture to tackle the climate crisis.
All the conversations were linked and circled by featured artists and storytellers including ; Dreemy, Letters to the Earth, Sam Lee, Queen Quet and the day included the world premier of the film Solito to Solidarity by Ibrahim Tchan and Francis Anhum. After the programme of panels, speakers and performers, Queen Quet Chieftess of the Gullah/Geechee Nation led 60+ participants out of the auditorium onto an adjacent courtyard to take part in the in-person Culture COP Assembly. In the evening participants moved onto the Museum Terrace, where several hundred participants gathered to eat together and listen to speeches by indigenous leader & newly elected Senator Sonia Guajajara from Brazil and Rep, Kathy Castor, Chair of the US House of Representatives Select Committee on the Climate Crisis. Framed by a bespoke light installation by Still/ Moving, the evening finished with an electrifying set of performances: Egypt’s unique, ritual Zar music via Mazaher Ensemble, to Nubian folk music from Aragid Nubian Dance as well as a set from DJ Erick Terena + Ape Chimpia.