Shubbak: A Window on Contemporary Arab Culture is the first festival of its kind in Europe, bringing Arab composers, musicians, writers, photographers, painters and directors to London over three weeks in July.

The festival – running from July 4-24 – was initiated by the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, as a celebration of the London Arab community and British cultural ties with the Arab world. It is also conceived as an opportunity for audiences to gain a shubbak – window – onto this rich and diverse culture. Here are Songlines’ top 10 must-sees from the more than 70 events happening around the capital…

1 A Musical Revolution into the Arab World
The crème of Lebanon’s electro scene open Shubbak in style with DJ sets and live underground acts.
July 4; The Scoop

2 Inauguration
Concert to celebrate the opening of Brunel University’s Institute for Contemporary Middle Eastern Music.
July 6; LSO St Luke’s

3 The Dash Café
Screenings of music videos ‘Phatwa’ and ‘Slingshot Hiphop’, plus live North African music.
July 6; Rich Mix

4 Lyrical Easternisms
Middle Eastern hip-hop from Behrang Miri and Eslam Jawad celebrates the power of the word.
July 12; Ginglik

5 Easternisms
Acoustic and electronic music from Palestinian pianist-composer John Kameel Farah, Iran’s Brenda and Resonance DJ Fari B.
July 15; Café Oto

6 A Day of Contemporary Arab Culture
A one-day mini festival with live music, talks, workshops, an exhibition and Arabic food.
July 16; Rich Mix

7 Amina Annabi & Simo Lagnawi
Tunisian singer-songwriter Annabi mixes rai, chaabi, reggae, jungle and jazz while Lagnawi is a master of gnawa music.
July 21; Leighton House

8 Concert for the Children of Egypt
Pianist Amira Fouad plays David Heath’s new concerto ‘El Hedeiya’ with the English Chamber Orchestra.
July 22; Cadogan Hall

9 A Night in Tahrir Square
Music from those who set the soundtrack to the Egyptian revolution, including Port Said’s El Tanbura, oud player Mustafa Said and singer-songwriter Ramy Essam.
July 22; Barbican Hall

10 The Bidoun Library Park Night
A Shaabi Wedding Dance Party of readings set to loud music.
July 22; Serpentine Gallery

Find out more at www.london.gov.uk/shubbak

Tags: a night in tahrir square, el tanbura, mustafa said, ramy essam, shubbak, shubbak boris johnson, shubbak festival, shubbak london