Middle East Research and Information Project

Critical Coverage of the Middle East Since 1971

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Katherine Hennessey

Katherine Hennessey lives in Sanaa, where she researches the history of Yemeni theater and teaches Italian literature at Sanaa University.

Explosions and Ill Omens — 273_hennessey_1

MER Article

Explosions and Ill Omens

On October 9, 2014, a suicide bomber detonated himself in central Sanaa, killing dozens of innocent people. Upon reading the news coverage of this terrible event my thoughts leapt back to a series of plays that I had seen performed in Sanaa in the spring. Most of these performances took place under

Katherine Hennessey • 13 min read

MER Article

Drama in Yemen

On May 11, 2013, armed tribesmen stormed the Cultural Center in the Yemeni capital of Sanaa, demanding that the activity in progress immediately cease. A minister of the Yemeni government was whisked away by underlings from his front-row seat and out a side door; the assembled crowd quickly disperse

Katherine Hennessey • 12 min read