Roots & Resistance Two LandsOne Deck
The shared spirit of two cultures to your hands, through stories, symbols, and four unique games in one.
Created to spark dialogue about resilience, identity, and solidarity
4 Games in 1 Deck
Open your eyesRegain your power
Tales of Resistance
A storytelling game of memory, imagination, and protest.
Exile & Return
A cooperative/competitive journey to bring the exiled home
Resistance Vs. Oppression
Defeat opression with your cards
Memory of Struggle
A matching memory game of history and solidarity
Let your heart and soul lead the game
From the olive groves of Palestine to the green fields of Ireland, stories of resilience echo across generations.
Roots & Resistance celebrates these parallels—turning history, humour, and heritage into a shared experience around your table.
But wait! What does Yalla Craic mean?
At the Heart of Our Work is a Simple Belief
Games can bring people together. Stories can build empathy. And play can break down barriers.
Mission
Our Mission
To bring people from different backgrounds together through games that spark storytelling, challenge stereotypes, and create meaningful, joyful connections. We use play as a bridge—making culture accessible, conversations natural, and learning effortless.
Vision
Our Vision
To become a creative hub for intercultural play—building a growing collection of board and card games that celebrate identity, foster connection, and travel across tables around the world. Our vision is simple: more games, more stories, more people connecting through play.
Goal
Our Goal
To design engaging, culturally rich games that inspire curiosity, empathy, and shared laughter. We aim to create experiences that not only entertain but also open doors to understanding, celebrate diversity, and encourage people to see each other beyond labels.
Brains Behind Yalla Craic
Hiba Awaysa
Hiba is deeply passionate about bridging worlds—specifically, the corporate and NGO spheres. With a visionary mind and a commitment to sharing knowledge across diverse mediums, she is driven by a profound love for her culture, her roots, and her Palestinian identity.
Maria Keshderian
Maria brings a lifelong passion for social justice, human rights, and the simple belief that kindness can change the world. Curious about history, cultures, and politics, she found an outlet for connection in the world of board and card games.
Where Stories, Cultures, and Play Come Together
We are two friends from the Arab World —one Palestinian, one Lebanese—now calling Ireland home. Our shared love for storytelling, culture, and human connection brought Yalla Craic to life on a rainy, windswept afternoon in Galway.
What began as a conversation about identity and representation quickly grew into a mission: to break stereotypes not through debates, but through play.
How It All Started
When Hiba arrived in Ireland, she quickly noticed that many people—locals and newcomers alike—held misconceptions about each other’s backgrounds. Instead of confronting these divides with heavy conversations, she wondered:
What if people could learn about each other by playing together?
Maria, the board-game enthusiast and proud sore winner, loved the idea. Within hours of brainstorming, the concept began to take shape. And so, in true Irish fashion—amid rain, wind, and good company—the seeds of Yalla Craic were planted in Galway.
YALLA CRAIC
Have a Question?
So basically, “yalla” is less of a word and more of a vibe or a lifestyle.
“Craic” means fun, good times, or general chaos but in a friendly way.
But the Irish have elevated it to a cultural identity. Craic is not just an activity—it's a philosophy.
Yalla Craic aims to bring people together through storytelling and play, using board and card games to challenge stereotypes, celebrate cultural diversity, and spark meaningful conversations. We believe that games can create safe, joyful spaces where people learn about each other naturally.
Because it’s our story! As a Palestinian and a Lebanese living in Ireland, we noticed how often our cultures are misunderstood or oversimplified. Yalla Craic gives us a creative platform to represent our heritage authentically, learn more about Irish culture while inviting others to connect with it in a fun, non-intimidating way.
The idea was born when Hiba realized how many biases existed on both sides—locals in Ireland misunderstanding Arab cultures, and newcomers holding stereotypes about Ireland. She wanted a creative way to bridge these gaps.
Maria, a game enthusiast and passionate advocate for social justice, immediately joined the vision.
And so, one afternoon in Galway, Yalla Craic began.
We combine culture, play, and social impact.
We’re not just making games; we’re creating experiences that:
- Inspire curiosity
- Break down barriers
- Celebrate identity
- Encourage empathy
- Connect people who might never have crossed paths
It’s entertainment with heart and purpose.
No - this is just the beginning. Our long-term goal is to create a series of games and storytelling experiences centered on culture, connection, and shared humanity. The first game launches the journey.
While we explore themes like identity, cultural representation, and stereotypes, we do not promote any political agendas. Our focus is human, social, and cultural—creating understanding through play, not debate.
Games remove pressure. They make people relax, open up, laugh, and learn without feeling lectured or judged.
A game table can achieve what a serious conversation often can’t: genuine curiosity, empathy, and connection.
- Authenticity – representing cultures with honesty and pride
- Connection – bringing people together across differences
- Joy – making learning playful and engaging
- Respect – challenging stereotypes without shaming anyone
- Empowerment – giving people tools to explore identity and culture safely
Ireland is where our founders met and discovered the shared challenges (and opportunities) of cross-cultural living.
It’s a place where diaspora communities are growing, conversations about identity are evolving, and people are genuinely curious—making it the perfect environment for Yalla Craic to spark connection.
Anyone who believes in the power of stories, connection, and community—whether you're from the Arab World, Ireland, or anywhere else in the world. We welcome players, educators, community organizers, families, and anyone who wants to learn and connect through play.
- Join our mailing list
- Attend playtesting sessions
- Share our project with friends
- Follow us on social media
- Partner with us for cultural or community events
Every bit of support helps us grow.
Stay Connected
Follow us and Stay connected.
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Yalla Craic
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