A showcase of Arab heritage at the Nour Festival of Arts

East meets west in style for the fifth edition of the Nour Festival of Arts, which starts in London today.

The event boasts a diverse six-week programme showcasing the best in contemporary arts and culture from the Middle East and North Africa.

With events and exhibitions at 20 venues across Kensington and Chelsea, covering every facet of the arts, there is something for even the most eclectic tastes.

Among the exhibitions is a cultural evening featuring an exhibition, talk and screening of a documentary film exploring contemporary architecture and modern life in cities across the region.

The performance strand includes Readings from Syria Speaks: Art and Culture from the Frontline, a selection of readings from an anthology of new writing that documents and interprets the momentous events in the country in the past two years.

The film section includes the fifth London Iranian Film Festival and a scholarly discussion. There is a screening of acclaimed Egyptian director Amr Salama’s Excuse My French, and a short film screening featuring five films from the ­region.

Women Behind the Camera is an evening with some of the Middle East’s renowned as well as up-and-coming female filmmakers, during which they will talk about their ­experiences and the challenges they face.

The music strand of the festival, meanwhile, presents various ­performances by artists across the region.

And finally, a series of themed talks includes a discussion of how Arab science fiction might help to inspire a bright new future for the Middle East and beyond.

• Visit www.nourfestival.co.uk for full details of all events, timings and venues