Dear Al-Bustan Community,

I am honored to introduce myself as the new Executive Director of Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture. Many of you may know that I first learned about Al-Bustan shortly after the birth of my daughter in 2011 at an event held at The Crane Building. It was there that I met our founder, Hazami Sayed, who told me about a children's Arab arts and culture summer camp she started in 2002. As an artist with a Syrian grandmother and a Palestinian husband, I was excited to get involved with this wonderful organization. In 2012, around this time of year, I saw an advertisement for a position in arts education at Al-Bustan. I applied and have been with Al-Bustan since then, serving as a resident artist, educator, curator, and now as its caretaker. 

The year 2024 has been one of transition, marked by the departure of our former Executive Director, Mohannad Ghawanmeh, in May and our recent relocation to a new hub at 310 W Master Street in the American Street Arts Corridor. Despite these significant changes, we have remained dedicated to showcasing the beauty and joy of Arab culture through arts presentations, education, and civic engagement. 

I have so much to be thankful for, having received so much support. I am grateful for my staff. Their dedication drives Al-Bustan's programs. I appreciate our teaching artists. They bring music, art, and poetry to our Philadelphia community, young and old. I also extend my gratitude to our visiting artists—musicians, visual artists, writers, dancers, and others—who generously share their talents with us through performances and workshops. I am thankful for our supporters: foundations like the William Penn Foundation, Pew Center for Arts and Heritage, Independence Public Media Foundation, the Philadelphia Cultural Fund, the National Network for Arab American Communities, the Asian American Community Fund of PA, and the Center for Arab American Philanthropy. Also, individual donors who believe in our mission to celebrate diversity and support the affirmation of Arab American culture. 

In the past year, Al-Bustan has actively engaged with Arab communities in Philadelphia to provide access to vital resources and mental health services. We have expanded our online Arabic language courses for adults and kids and are working in Philadelphia public schools to deliver Arab-focused arts education to students. This year, we hosted and sponsored over 20 events, including "Gaza Habibti," a photo exhibition by Gazan photographers. We screened the U.S. premiere of "Diaries from Lebanon" at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts and held performances by renowned musicians like Maurice Louca and Nibal Malshi. We also established an annual prize for Arab American and Arab Canadian writers of children’s books in honor of the author Naomi Shihab Nye, among many other initiatives. 

I would be remiss not to mention that this past year has been traumatic for all of us as we witness the seemingly endless struggles of our loved ones, family, and friends abroad while simultaneously trying to navigate our daily lives. We find ourselves in a constant state of grieving for Gaza and all of Palestine, as well as for Lebanon, Syria, Sudan, Yemen, and all places where people just like us face war, occupation, and the destruction of life, homes, historical landmarks, and cultural treasures. In 2003, I was in Gaza and met human rights lawyer Raji Sourani, who shared a powerful sentiment about life there." He said, "In Palestine, we maintain a strategic optimism." This phrase captures our endurance in a world of heartbreak. We believe in and honor life and all it brings. 

As I write this letter of support, I wonder, "Why Al-Bustan when there are so many others in need? What makes Al-Bustan so special?" After twelve years with this organization, I can confidently say that Al-Bustan is unlike anything I have ever experienced, using diverse art forms to forge respectful paths for bridging differences, celebrating diversity, and seeking alternative ways to effect positive social change. 

One of my favorite Al-Bustan core values is our commitment to cultural production, which sees culture as dynamic and shaped by many influences, not a fixed set of traditions. We believe in the arts, and that small, creative acts can have a powerfully transformative impact, paving the way for social change that effectively counters prejudice and discrimination for everyone. 

Al-Bustan serves as a bright light, reflecting our shared values and connecting Arab and non-Arab communities in Philadelphia with people and places near and far. We celebrate life, joy, peace, love, diversity, promise, and hope for this generation and the next. 

I genuinely believe that, over the past two decades, Al-Bustan programming in Philadelphia has significantly influenced our city's acceptance of and support for Arab Americans and Arab immigrants. We have seen former Al-Bustan campers become community leaders. We have welcomed Arab artists from around the world to engage with Philadelphia audiences. And we have brought together a diverse community of Arab Americans to share in the beauty of their language, art, and culture.  

By donating, volunteering, or attending our events, you help us sustain and grow this work. Please join us in our efforts to plant seeds of change and promote cross-cultural awareness and exchange through the arts! 

In Partnership, 

Lisa Volta-Zalloum