Street Sounds: Cairo y Mexico City
March, 2025
Casa Ojalá/ Coyoacán
This event was a sonic journey through the streets of Cairo and Mexico City! Our resident Dalia Ibraheem and filmmaker Joyce García @morenastyy took us on an exploration of the history and present of the mahragaanat and sonidero music scenes in these two major capitals of the Global South. Through the street rhythms of these genres and their presence in alternative spaces, we learned more about how rhythm, sound, and dance can function as dissident expression for communities in marginalized urban areas who are confronted with state logics of incarceration and police repression. With the help of @saboratorio_, our palates experienced the intoxicating flavors of Chaat-i-locos, a combination of Indian chaat and Mexican dorilocos. Thank you to everyone who came and helped make this event possible!
In defense of corn
February, 2025
Casa Ojalá/ Coyoacán
From Milpa Alta, here in Mexico City, to the urban milpa in Oaxaca, we gathered this February 23rd at Casa Ojalá to talk about corn, milpa, and support plans and networks against the capitalist imposition of monocultures. Moderated by Isabel Deheza and Gustavo A. Cruz Cerna, @mujer_esdelatierra focused on critiquing the means the capitalist system uses to force those of us who come to cities to do so under the belief of the "American Dream," which is not only observed in the United States but also in the capitals. The discussion focused on how these consumerist and waste-use practices affect our territories daily, affecting nature, our thoughts, and the way we connect with our land. With permission from the Assembly, Edith Morales @edithmorales_art read the powerful statement from the State Space for the Defense of Corn, criticizing state policies. Angélica and Fernando Palma @calpulli.tecalco spoke about the power of corn in their project in Milpa Alta and the power of Nahuatl as a linguistic cosmology to guide us toward possible futures. We were fortunate to have Conuco @conuco_mx and their books with us. Mujeres de la tierra also fed us delicious gorditas, tamales, and tlacoyos. Our Legaia colleagues @legadogaia built a map of ideas and communities around corn. We hope this meeting is the beginning of many more for the defense of Mexico's biodiversity.
Socioenvironmental Activation
December, 2024
Casa Ojalá/ Coyoacán
On Friday, we met to share feminist tools that allow us to impact contemporary socio-environmental issues. Thank you to everyone who made this possible by coming, contributing, sharing space and dreams. With @luciaixchiugt, we began the workshop with a k'jab that allowed us to thank the wind, the fire, the earth, and the water for the opportunity to meet. Then, @columba.gd encouraged a reflection on the recovery of what has been buried and shouldn't be there. With care, we recovered knowledge, memories, and beings. With the help of @marcelam.magana, we took some time to feel-think with the mycelium. We appealed to network building and exchange as a strategy for thriving on a damaged planet. Finally, @cc.gg.ii appealed to the upheaval that disrupts, inviting us to co-create situated tools capable of generating alternative practices that fracture captive imaginaries. Collectively, we build a space for deep and joyful conversation and reflection. Social and Environmental Activation is the first workshop at Casa Ojala, with the participation of compás, Frida Flores, Ana Lilia Torres, Chakceel Blancas, Nad and Raju, Ana Elizabeth Cabral, Karina Terán Buendía, Tania González Escalona, Melany Rodea, Sofía Sánchez, Rut Mendoza Garcia, Valeria Mendieta, Beatriz Acevedo, Shurabe Mercado, Yana Carla Asquel Carvajal, and Yelitza Pareja Ruiz. This workshop was organized by @la.lleca.colectivaa, @heklerke, @ojala.ojala.mx, and facilitators.
62/19- Hallucination of Images
February, 2025
Casa Ojalá/ Coyoacán
On Saturday, collectively we, the audience and the musicians allowed ourselves to travel in a sound translation of our collective traumas, joys, sadnesses, fears, laughter and hopes. 6 incredible musicians improvised musically from images brought by the public, from personal family photos, nature photos, Palestine to tarot cards. Adrian Escamilla (Saxophone) Alan Fajardo (Trompeta) Cristina Arista ( Violonchelo) Quincas Moreira (Teclados) Reona Sugimoto (Batería) Víctor Rincón (Contrabajo) The night continued with an improvised mix of Mexican, Kenyan and Indian food made by artist friends Raju & Nads Link to full set: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfhB2S69uKU Thanks to all the musicians, the public who participated with their photos, the cooks and Laura Frey who is always helping Casa ojala.
Shared Stories between Iraq and Latin America
Octubre, 2024
Casa Ojalá/ Coyoacán
On Saturday we met to close the cycle "The invasion of Iraq in 5 parts" enjoying the film My Lost Country by Ishtar Yasin who accompanied us virtually in the conversation about the invasion and occupation of Iraq and its parallels in Latin America . We also built a collective decolonial wall map that brings together experiences from the cycle, including presentation of the project “A people's Tribunal: 28 exhibits” by Nataša Prljević from Hekler , articles by journalist and independent researcher Mend Mariwany, and and notes from all those who participated as a breathing archive of our night together and commitment to life-giving resistance. We greatly thank mend mariwany for the delicious Iraqi dinner prepared for all the people who joined us at this event, to @quilombo.cooperativa for very good beers and to everyone who joined these reflections here at Casa ojala. Tonight was a collaboration between Hekler, Cine Bandung, Mend Mariwany and Casa Ojalá The cycle “The invasion of Iraq in 5 parts” was organized by Katy Montaya of Cine Bandung in collaboration with Biquiniwax Collective and Casa ojala.
Fights for Life: Ideas from Iran to Palestine
October, 2024
CCH Azcapotzalco High School
On Thursday, October 3, we gathered at CCH high school with students to honor the second anniversary of the Iranian Women's Life Freedom Movement and one year since the last genocide in Palestine. Shadi Rohana and Shokufeh historically and geopolitically contextualized current events in Iran and Palestine for students. They connected the dots between issues such as privatization, militarization, the Nakba, the US-led coups, theocracy and the constant resistance of the people on the ground, among all the political contradictions and oppressions from all sides. Then, Ana Rosa from BDS Mexico Movement, made this global unrest palpable, describing the connection of militarization in Mexico with the Israelis. She presented the global BDS movement as a feasible and effective act of civil resistance in Mexico City. Thank you Neftalí and Adriana for trusting us with your students. It was an honor to share the history, joy and sorrows of the Middle East to the classroom of CCH students. Mahsa Amini, Khodanur, Siahkal fighters, Nur al-Din Hayyay, Manal Meqdad, Hiba abu Nada and Husam Ma'ruf will be a memory that we will keep from this conversation to maintain the flames of belief that one day we will all celebrate a free Palestine and a Middle East in which everyone lives with dignity and freedom of choice.✌️🍉
Mirar Morir Movie Projection + Conversation
September, 2024
Casa Ojalá/ Coyoacán
Two photos from the screening+conversation of MirarMorir that took place last Sunday, 09/29 at Casa oja, within the framework of the tenth anniversary of the disappearance of the 43 normalistas from Ayotzinapa. We were joined by the filmmakers of the documentary, Témoris Grecko and Coizta Grecko, as well as the Israeli activist and conscientious objector Shahaf Weisbein to talk about militarization and its consequences in our country and in Palestine, Lebanon and Israel. This event was organized by "Agrupación Mexicana de Judíes Interdependientes" and "Judíes por una Palestina Libre"
Clausura de Archipiélago Fílmico: "Nuevas rutas colaborativas"
Septiembre , 2024
Casa Ojalá/ Coyoacán
El 21 de septiembre fue un enorme privilegio poder compartir el cierre de la muestra Archipielago Filmico con películas y personas tan entrañables. Tuvimos la oportunidad de conversar acerca de los filmes de la muestra, del diseño gráfico cubano, de las diásporas fílmicas actuales, así como de los vacíos e impedimentos que existen para la exhibición de cine joven cubano en la isla y el mundo y la importancia en ello de las redes de colaboración.
Mexico City Premiere of Terrestrial Verses
August , 2024
cine Tonalá
Mexico City premiere of Terrestrial Verses, a film by Iranian director Alireza Khatami and Ali Asgari, on Saturday, August 17 at 4:30 pm at Cine Tonalá. The film will be shown in Persian with English subtitles, and will be followed by a discussion, in English, between director Alireza Khatami and Alex Shams of Ajam Media Collective. Terrestrial Verses follows everyday Iranians from all walks of life as they navigate the cultural, religious, and institutional constraints imposed on them by various social authorities, from school teachers to bureaucrats. These stirring vignettes, humorous and affecting, capture the spirit and determination of people amidst adversity, offering a nuanced portrait of a complex society. The film premiered recently in the Un Certain Regard section at Cannes. Alireza Khatami is an Iran-born, Canada-based filmmaker whose works explore precarious lives, identity politics, and feature a dark sense of humor. His films gained recognition, showcased at prestigious festivals such as Cannes, Venice, and Berlinale. His debut feature, Oblivion Verses, premiered at the 74th Venice Film Festival, winning three awards, including the Orizzonti Award for Best Screenplay and FIPRESCI. Alex Shams is a writer with a PhD in Anthropology from the University of Chicago. He is founder of Ajam Media Collective (ajammc.com), an online magazine focused on culture, politics, and society in West Asia. The screening is organized as part of a collaboration between La Escuela Superior de Cine (Escine), Cine Tonalá and Casa Ojalá.
Fértil la lengua que se mueve
July 28, 2024
U - topicas
Four poets with light feet, in movement and pilgrimage, in search of coordinates in suspended times, laughing and shouting with the urgency to name what does not appear in the inheritance of meanings... in Librería U-topicas July 28, 2024, Fértile la lengua that moves; Poetry afternoon. Judith Santopietro (Tiwanaku. Poemas de la Madre Coqa), Mercedes Alvarado (Nombres propios), Aleida Violeta Vázquez Cisneros (Aleida Violeta Cisneros), María Cob (Leche de Bugambilia)
Autonomy, Territory and Art
July 13, 2024
Casa Ojalá/ Coyoacán
A conversation circle with artists/thinkers/activists in solidarity with the autonomous indigenous movements of Kurdistan and Mexico. Speakers: Abraham Cruzvillegas Fugitiva Cooperativa GranOm Kamal Soleimani Lucia Ixchiu Pedram Baldari Radio tropiezo this event is organized in collaboration with Radio Tropiezo To listen to the full conversation :https://radiotropiezo.org/autonomia-territoria-y-arte/
On Seeing with One's ears; Seeking Samā
May 2, 2024
Vernacular Institute Gallery/ Santa Maria, CdMx
In a world saturated with images and discourses, the listening session conducted by Arshia Fatima Haq makes us stop and hear actively. Sound as a medium to reflect beyond words, beyond what is comprehensible to oneself, and a portal to the rich traditions of sonic culture deeply embedded in the fabric of Islam. The lecture was presented in English by Arshia Fatima Haq, with Spanish interpretation by Fabiola Talavera. Organized by Casa Ojalá کاسا اوخالا and Vernacular Institute.
Bondades De Palestina
April 5, 2024
Casa Ojalá/ Coyoacán
Bondades de Palestina es una acción organizada por @semillasde.resistencia y @ojala.ojala.mx que nació de la necesidad de generar comunidad, conectar con la cultura de Palestina y recaudar fondos en solidaridad con el pueblo palestino. Juntos el viernes pasado compartimos historias, poemas, fotos, música, dabke, deliciosa comida tradicional de Palestina, risas, lágrimas y mucho más. Fue un gran esfuerzo de colaboración. Queremos dar un agradecimiento al chef Josimar @josimar_rod por toda la investigación y esfuerzo. Gracias a todos los artistas @miauediciones @_riosdetinta @artetransmutante_ @bchoclit @ca_art_collective_ @cdmxayudamutua @ltmoscarella @yuruany.rivero @sssssszamora @el_autentico_benjamin_valdes por las donaciones de arte, fanzines, stickers y carteles. También queremos agradecer a @alex_shams, Shadi Rohana, @sohaila1 y Karim por darnos un programa tan hermoso y abrirnos una ventana a la cultura palestina, su comida, su historia y su danza. Como colectivo estamos decididos a crear más espacios para organizarnos y crecer juntos, nos es esencial y fomentar la solidaridad que compartimos por la liberación de Palestina y los pueblos oprimidos en todo el mundo. Haremos más eventos para apoyar directamente al pueblo Palestino. Nos vemos muy pronto ❤️🍉 PD. Pronto compartimos detalles sobre los fondos recaudados en este evento (¡más de 20,000 MXN!) y los recibos y detalles al respecto. Gracias por la confianza y solidaridad. Y que ¡Viva Palestina libre! 🇵🇸
Cartographies of the African Americas: Diasporic Exchanges in Art and Literature
Jan 13, 2024
U - topicas
On January 13, 2024 we met at the U-Topicas Bookstore, Coyoacán, in a unique event to share and celebrate the work of black poets and artists in Mexico. The event was convened by black feminist poet and thinker Tonya Foster, a resident of Casa ojala in January, as part of a proposal called “Cartography of the African Americas.” Fortunately, there was a full house at the event. The poets Aleida Cisneros and Juliana Acevedos, and the graphic artist and muralist Baltazar Melo, presented their work together with Tonya (author of “A Swarm of Bees in High Court”). A debate moderated by Itza Varela, author of “Tiempo De Diablos: Uses of Culture and the Past in the Process of Ethnic Construction of Black Afro-Mexican Peoples,” followed, who described the work of Afro-descendant artists and the black movement of the coast. girl as a “counter-miscegenation process.” The panel and the public covered topics such as the homogenizing project of the nation-state, racism in Mexico, art as social theory through the imagination, the need for spaces for work and discussion, the work of black women in domestic spaces by creating and transmitting verse and knowledge. In general it was said how cool blackness is! At the end of the event at U-topias, we moved to Casa ojala for more improvised presentations and a large bowl of gumbo prepared by Blaxicocina. This was just a first step: there must be more!
Yalda Celebration
December 16, 2023
Casa Ojalá/ Coyoacán
On December 16, we celebrated Yalda in Mexico! Yalda marks the winter solstice - the longest night of the year. Iranians celebrate it as a sign that the sun will eventually emerge no matter how long the dark nights of winter may be. After Yalda, every day becomes longer and every night becomes shorter. For us, Yalda also has a symbolic meaning: that resistance will always triumph in the face of repression, no matter how long that repression lasts or how overwhelming it feels. At Casa Ojala, we celebrated by staying up late, reading poetry, playing music, dancing, and eating red foods like pomegranate and watermelon, in accordance with Iranian tradition. This event was made possible through the collective effort of many. Music and Poetry: Mani Nilchiani, Mehdi Moshtagh, Miguel PeOc and Yahya Alkhansa DJ: Daniel Farah Design: Dariush Alexander Special thanks to Kimia tehrani for c0-organizing and planning This event was organized jointly by Ajam Media Collective and Casa Ojala.
Terapia de Coser
December 3, 2023
Centro de Coyoacán,CdMx
On December 3, we gathered in centro de coyoacan park for "Sewing as Therapy" - a public event initiated by Mady Cano resident artist at Casa Ojala. As part of this social therapy, everyone was welcome to join us around a table in the park to sew: we brought together beads and textiles, found and discarded objects, social incongruities and broken relationships and made new connections and formed new fabrics.
Altar of Resistance
November 1, 2023
Coyoacán,CdMx
On nov 1, having pain of Genocide of Palestine in our hearts, we gathered in center of Coyoacan to create our collective altar of resistance, in memory of those who lost their lives fighting for a more just world. If, in the midst of this widespread global fascism, we still resist and we still havent lost hope, it's because of us standing on the shoulders of many heros before us. on the Day of Death of 2023, lives of Faris Odeh, Biljana Kovacevic Vuco, Zina Amini, Berta Cáceres, Benito García Prieto, Mahmoud Darwish, Nikolai Gumiliov, Bijan Jazani, Marielle Franco, Armita Geravand, Aurelia Arzu, Said Soltanpour, Balkan freedom fighters, Ashraf Dehghan, Ileana Lacayo, people of Palestine, Tigray, Sudan, COng among others were honored through altar offerings, singing and poetry reading. May this Altar of Resistance be a reminder that we have a long way to go but in the end, humanity will win. Shokufeh, Marisela, Alina, Katayoun, Rasha, Xadi, Joshua, Nataša, bds_mexico, libertadiranmx, Hekler, pyctacolors, craterinvertido, IM-Defensoras thank you for making the altar possible, by initiating, participating, planning or helping with the outreach