Samira Saleh

Samira Saleh is a fearless voice in the world of spoken word. As a performer, host, speaker, consultant, workshop facilitator, and organiser, she has intertwined her art with her rich cultural background. She grew up with three backgrounds, an Egyptian background from home, a Moroccan in her immediate circle, and a dominant diasporic background with Dutch roots, whose roots were pulled out of the ground to gain a new foothold in Belgium. She creates art that is direct, unrestricted and uncompromising. In 2021, Samira did an artistic research project on Islamic feminism in relation to storytelling and spoken word in the SWANA region and the diaspora.

Between 2021 and 2022, she took on the role of artistic coordinator of Seniors Slam, a project for Trill VZW. She taught the Spoken Word module at LUCA School of Arts (2020-2021). Her art is a dynamic reflection of her diverse identity and experiences. She continues to work on promoting inclusivity and sharing stories that often go unheard. Behind the scenes, she worked as co-organiser of Mama’s Open Mic (2016-2022), a platform that supports artists and empowers them to show their work to a wider audience.

Her art has crossed borders, with performances in Belgium, the Netherlands, Birmingham, London, Belgrade and Cairo. The scope of her artistic influence is impressive, participating in renowned events such as the Tashweesh Festival, Shubbak Festival, Apple’s and Snakes Hit The Ode, Stand & Deliver, and Urban Words Jazz n’ Words. In 2016, she became a Slambassadress for Belgium in the international exchange project Next Generation Speaks, bringing her art to San Francisco. Samira’s work not only reaches out to venues but also extends to publications such as Scene Arabia, The Bulletin, Metro, and De Morgen.