In Cavaillon, the director hiba najem cooks mourning – liberation
Fifteen years ago, when the father of the playwright Hiba Najem died, the neighbors took turns in the stove. They cooked for the bereaved family in order to offer them the opportunity to think of nothing other than its sadness. Discreet solidarity, through hot dishes and full pans. Since then, Place du Mourou has changed, has observed the director of Lebanese origin. Recently, “On the death of my aunt, we used catering. A buffet of sandwiches, impersonal and quick to set up, because the time of sorrow has shortened ”. As if it was necessary to resume the course of its existence, as quickly as possible.
Funeral rituals have evolved. Fewer shared moments, less cooking, less care. Simple and ordinary, certain gestures nevertheless house the possibility of healing. It is precisely « This time you leave to sadness » That Hiba Najem wanted to work in her new room. With Freekeh (1), third performance in his culinary series (started with Fennel lenses – Aadas Bi Choumar Then Tomato slippers – Fatayer Bi Banadourawelcomed at La Garance in May 2024), the artist rekindled the memory of his aunt Souad through his favorite dish that is the freekeh. There is a lot to say about this « Seed of resilience »: « We have long thought it good to throw away before finally noticing its good taste. Born somewhere between Palestine and Lib
