SIROV x The WANAWAL | Zaytoona & Êvar Hussayni

In conversation with Êvar Hussayni: artist, archivist and founder of The West Asian North African Women's Art Library (WANAWAL), an alternative archival practice and library that questions the dynamics of archiving, seeking to reshape narratives away from the ongoing impacts of colonial practices on collective memory.

This month, I spoke with Êvar about The WANAWAL, what inspired her to start it, how she began a journey in archiving, and the learnings, challenges and moments of joy along the way. We also discussed "don't worry, i won't forget you" the interactive WANAWAL exhibition and library co-curated by Êvar and Sarah last year, which reimagined how archives are used, activated and built.

We close with a sound collage of pieces in the WANAWAL sound archive, including the works of Lara Sarkissian, Riwa Saab, Heba Tabidi, Jessica El Mal and Saad Al Baraka with Mokhtar Hsina, Bint Mbareh, Maysa Jallad, myself and Êvar.