Comments for Couscous and Cultural Diplomacy

Caption: Frederique and Brian with Elkader, Iowa's namesake Abd al-Qader

Produced by Andrea Wenzel

Other pieces by Andrea Wenzel

Summary: What's it like to be the only Muslim in the only US town named after an Arab Muslim… Elkader, Iowa was named after an Algerian jihadist in the 19th century. After September 11th, some wanted to change the town’s name. At the same time an openly gay Algerian man and his partner decided to start an Algerian-American restaurant on Elkader's Main Street. The story charts their adventures with cultural adaptation, American identity, and small town politics.
 

Caption: PRX default User image

Outstanding!

Extremely textured and intimate piece. Good pacing and use of sound. Highly recommended.