Category: Arts, Culture & Entertainment

SAUDI ARABIA: Maryah Abdudeeb the Saudi Visionary Jewelry Designer Turning Arabic Literature Into Stunning Wearable Art

Saudi jewelry designer, Maryah Abdudeeb, is revolutionizing the world of wearable art by fusing the elegance of Arabic calligraphy with the beauty of literature. Through her brand, Mashq, she has embarked on a creative journey that begins with the delicate strokes of a calligraphy brush and culminates in the creation of breathtaking masterpieces inspired by poetry and literature.

Mashq, which takes its name from an ancient form of calligraphy, meaning “stretch out,” captures the essence of Arabic letters in a unique and captivating manner. The brand’s founder, Maryah Abdudeeb, drew inspiration from her childhood experiences, where she witnessed her father’s skillful calligraphy and her mother’s ability to transform simple materials into works of art.

Guided by these formative influences, Abdudeeb embarked on a quest to explore the depths of Arabic poetry and literature. Her creative journey was further enriched as she traveled to different countries, marveling at architectural marvels adorned with historic Arabic inscriptions. It was during these encounters that she stumbled upon jewelry pieces engraved with calligraphy, each one narrating a deeply personal story.

With a profound love for Islamic art, Abdudeeb believes in showcasing and appreciating its timeless beauty. To deepen her knowledge and understanding of this art form, she immerses herself in Islamic design books, where she discovers an array of captivating designs and phrases inspired by this rich cultural heritage.

The COVID-19 lockdown proved to be a turning point for Abdudeeb, as she pondered over ways to combine her twin passions: jewelry and Arabic calligraphy. It was during this period of introspection that the concept of Mashq was born.

In March 2021, Mashq made its debut, unveiling its inaugural collection. Abdudeeb personally contributed to each stage of the jewelry-making process, acting as both the calligrapher and designer. Each piece in the collection showcases verses and lines from her favorite works of Arabic poetry and literature, capturing the essence of profound emotions and inspiring narratives.

The transformative design process begins with Abdudeeb meticulously rendering the chosen phrase in calligraphy, striving to convey its true essence. The phrase is then transformed into a three-dimensional representation using specialized jewelry design software. Depending on the size and intricacy of the piece, it is crafted either by hand or with the assistance of cutting-edge machinery.

However, the true measure of success for Abdudeeb lies in the emotions evoked by her creations. By employing a variety of meaningful phrases and materials such as silver, gold plating, and gems, she aims to establish a connection between the wearer and the words. Each piece serves as a reflection of personal sentiments or a wellspring of motivation, empowering individuals to carry their chosen phrase with grace and pride.

source/content: abouther.com (headline edited)

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SAUDI ARABIA

TUNISIA: The 23rd ‘Arab Radio and TV Festival’ kicks off in Tunis

The 23rd Arab Radio and TV Festival kicked off on Monday in Tunis under the slogan of “Celebrating Arts and Culture.”

The opening ceremony was hosted on Monday at the City of Culture under the theme: “Arab Perfumes,” and the closing ceremony will be broadcast live by the various Arab TV channels and radio stations.

The official ceremony was attended by several Arab senior officials, including diplomats, professionals from the festival’s media partners and featured artists.

The official guests included President of the Arab States Broadcasting Union (ASBU) Mohammed bin Fahd Al-Harthi, ASBU Director General Abdelrahim Suleiman, Cultural Affairs Minister Hayet Ketat Guermasi and Syrian Minister of Information Butros al-Hallaq.

A tribute was paid to Egyptian actress Sherine, Lebanese filmmaker Georges Ghabbaz, Emirati actress Fatma Houssani, Libyan filmmaker Hassan Garfel, Moroccan filmmaker Sanaa Akroud, Syrian actor Milad Youssef and actress Rawaa Saadi.

The festival further paid tribute to leading figures from the Arab audiovisual landscape, including former chairman and CEO of the Tunisian radio and television broadcasting corporation (ERTT) Abdel Aziz Kacem, Tunisian actor Moncef Baldi, former Director of Egyptian Radio Iness Jawhar, former ASBU Director of the Administrative and Legal Committee Hani Farraj, Bahraini filmmaker Ines Yacoub and Taki Eddine Soubira from Comoros.

The awards of the 14th edition of the Arab Music and Song Contest were handed over during the ceremony, which was held at the ASBU headquarters in Tunis last May.

The Tunisian Radio won the 2nd award (US$ 3 thousand) in the musical works section for a composition entitled “Tamiarat” by Mohsen Matri. 

The winning works were selected by a jury made up of musician Mona Chtorou (Tunisia), artisit Mona Abelghani (Egypt), artist Dhia Eddine Jebbar Faraj (Iraq), academic Achour Fanni (Algeria) and poet Hédi Daniel (Syria).

source/content: tap.info.tn (headline edited)

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TUNISIA



MOROCCAN Caftan Shines at UNESCO’s Prestigious African Week in Paris

The event highlighted Moroccan caftan as a key part of Morocco’s cultural identity and diversity.

The UNESCO headquarters in Paris hosted on Tuesday evening a spectacular fashion show displaying the vibrant colors and captivating designs of Moroccan caftan. The show was part of the African Week taking place between June 5 and 9.

The event showcased the work of Moroccan designer Fatima Zahraa Al-Filali Al-Idrisi, the visionary creator behind the renowned brand “Fatim Haute Couture Made In Morocco.” She had been specifically invited to represent Morocco at the show.

With an atmosphere infused with the melodies of Tarabi and Andalusian heritage, the Moroccan designer mesmerized the audience with her unique collection of Moroccan caftans. 

She showcased “an original variety of Moroccan caftans resembling historical, vibrant, and pleasant works of art,” indicated a press release.

The statement added that Al-Idrisi’s designs “embodied both the luxury and honor of this traditional national garment, the Moroccan caftan, which has remained an authentic and refined heritage throughout different periods and generations.”

Exuding opulence and prestige, each garment embodied Morocco’s rich cultural, historical, and civilizational legacy.

The fashion event saw a  harmonious blend of international, African, and Maghreb presence, convening diplomats, professionals, entrepreneurs, artists, media representatives, and members of the African diaspora residing in France. 

With her participation in the event, under the theme “Authentic National Heritage,” Al-Idrisi aimed to highlight and celebrate Morocco’s cultural diversity and bring the international audience closer to the different cultural realms that shape the Moroccan identity.

From the Sahrawi caftan to the Amazigh caftan and the Moroccan Jewish caftan, the Moroccan designer showcased a wide range of styles, incorporating regional dimensions, including the Fassi, Rbati, Atlassi, Shamali (Northern), Sharqi (Eastern), and Janoubi (Southern) designs.

The spectacle also celebrated the craftsmanship and attention to detail involved in the creation of Moroccan caftans. This included the fabrics, textures, and captivating colors used in the caftans varied according to regions, customs, occasions, and seasons.

The event also showcased Moroccans’ mastery of caftan styling techniques, embroidery, and ornamentation, a testament to the creative skills and dedication of the North African country’s artisans.

In line with the African Week’s objective of showcasing the continent’s cultural and artisanal heritage, Al-Idrisi incorporated “prominent authentic accessories that enhanced this elegant garment,” added the statement.

The accessories included hand-women and embroidered pouches, headbands, crowns, belts, woven and metallic trims, traditional brooches, earrings, and necklaces. 

Adorned with coral and gemstones, the accessories enhanced the overall charm of the caftan designs.

source/content: moroccoworldnews.com (headline edited)

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Moroccan designer Fatima Zahraa Al-Filali Al-Idrisi at the event

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MOROCCO

PALESTINIAN-CHILEAN: Heritage Hotel the ‘Kassis Kassa Hotel’ in Bethlehem – ‘a challenging project’ for Chilean Businesswoman Elizabeth Kassis

  • Elizabeth Kassis has turned her Palestinian father’s house into a hotel, nearly 80 years after he emigrated
  • ‘I want everyone in the diaspora to work for Palestine,’ Kassis tells Arab News

Chilean businesswoman Elizabeth Kassis has turned her ancestral home in Bethlehem’s Old City into a heritage hotel nearly 80 years after her father emigrated to Chile.

The Kassis Kassa Hotel is the Old City’s first heritage hotel, reflecting both the city’s traditional architecture and its long-standing association with the South American country.

The Palestinian community in Chile is reportedly the oldest outside the Arab world, with around half a million Palestinians moving there since the mid-19th century.

The hotel was officially opened on June 1, and the first group reservation was received on June 8.

“It was an exciting and challenging project that took years to implement,” Kassis, who was born in Chile, told Arab News. “It is rich in cultural history and has been carefully restored to preserve its original beauty and traditional Palestinian architecture.”

The project “will contribute to raising the level of tourism services in Palestine, as it is being implemented in cooperation with Bethlehem Municipality,” Kassis said.

We wanted the guests to get the full experience of what it means to live in a Palestinian house with real neighbors.

Elizabeth Kassis

“I think the experience of being a guest in a Palestinian house is a unique one. We wanted the guests to get the full experience of what it means to live in a Palestinian house with real neighbors.”

Kassis’ father visited Palestine in 1999, looking for ways to boost Bethlehem’s economy. Along with a group of Palestinian businessmen, he implemented a number of small projects at the turn of the century. He returned in 2015 and purchased his old family home. The restoration project began in 2016, led by his daughter.

Kassis said that setting up the hotel has been one of the most rewarding projects she has ever been involved in. In Chile, she managed her family’s farm and bred Arabian and Chilean horses. She has also worked as a TV presenter and is a talented visual artist who has participated in numerous exhibitions, as well as the co-founder of a band called Three Diaspora, which, she explained, “reshapes old songs that arrived in Chile with the first Palestinian immigrants.” The band has released several albums recorded with musicians from the Edward Said National Conservatory of Music.

Kassis has traveled extensively, but “found herself” in Palestine. “I want everyone in the diaspora to work for Palestine. I want people to feel, smell, eat, and live Palestine. This is my duty toward Palestine,” she said.

Engineer Raed Othman, who worked with Kassis on the project, told Arab News that Kassis loves Bethlehem and Palestinian heritage in general, and has devoted herself to promoting it to the world.

Bethlehem’s mayor, Hanna Hanania, told Arab News that, through her hotel and other efforts, Kassis is “building bridges” between Palestinian expats and their national heritage, especially the tens of thousands of expatriates from Bethlehem in South America.

He added that, as part of its attempts to attract investors to the city, the municipality plans to develop Al-Najma Street, where the hotel is located.

“The fact that Kassis Hotel is on this street will contribute to enhancing our vision regarding activating the location,” Hanania said.

Fadi Qattan, co-founder of the Kassis project, said the hotel promotes Palestinian heritage and culture through its food and its “beautiful location,” adding that he hoped journalists would visit the hotel and write about Palestinian food to “promote an accurate picture of the life and heritage of Palestinians.”

He continued: “The hotel is the first project wholly owned by an expatriate Palestinian family, which will encourage expatriate Palestinian families to return and invest in Bethlehem.”

source/content: arabnews.com (headline edited)

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Kassis said that setting up the hotel has been one of the most rewarding projects she has ever been involved in. (Supplied)

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CHILEAN / PALESTINIAN

MOROCCAN-FRENCH: From Boxing Ring to Hollywood: Said Taghmaoui’s Journey to Acting Success

While aspiring to become a boxing champion, Taghmaoui’s fascination with cinema eventually led him to pursue a career in acting.

French-Moroccan Actor Said Taghmaoui has solidified his presence in the Hollywood industry, successfully securing various roles alongside renowned stars. 

His latest endeavor sees him teaming up with Golden Globe nominee Mark Wahlberg in an upcoming feature film called “The Family Plan,” produced by Apple Original Films and Skydance.

Written by David Coggeshall, “The Family Plan” follows the story of a suburban father who finds himself on the run with his family when his past catches up to him. 

The movie is directed by Simon Cellan Jones and produced by Wahlberg, Municipal Pictures’ Stephen Levinson, and Skydance’s David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, and Don Granger.

In addition to “The Family Plan,” Taghmaoui has also landed a role in the action-packed film “Tin Soldier,” which boasts an impressive cast including Oscar winners Jamie Foxx and Robert De Niro, as well as Scott Eastwood. 

During a recent interview with French lecturer and essayist Idriss Jamil Aberkane, Taghmaoui opened up about his journey as an actor. He described himself as an “autodidact,” highlighting the fact that he didn’t attend school but instead pursued his passions with unwavering dedication. 

Recalling his boxing days, the actor expressed how the sport played a significant role in his personal growth. He believes that either boxing chose him or he chose boxing, emphasizing its complexity and the introspection it demanded. 

While aspiring to become a boxing champion, Taghmaoui’s fascination with cinema eventually led him to pursue a career in acting.

Born in France to Moroccan immigrant parents, Taghmaoui became a naturalized US citizen in 2008 and swiftly made a name for himself in the Hollywood industry. 

Despite dropping out of school at a young age, his boxing talent propelled him to second place in his category in France. It was during this time that he met Mathieu Kassovitz, with whom he co-wrote the acclaimed French film “La haine” (1995), which earned the Best Director award at Cannes. 

Since then, Taghmaoui has become a prominent figure in cinema and has expanded his repertoire to include films from various countries, such as Italy, Germany, the United States, and Morocco. 

He has featured in Hollywood productions like “G.I. Joe,” “Wonder Woman,” “Traitor,” “John Wick,” and “The Forgiven,” showcasing his versatility and talent as an actor. 

source/content: moroccoworldnews.com (headline edited)

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FRENCH /MOROCCAN

SAUDI ARABIA: Lamia Bint Majed Al Saud Reappointed UN-Habitat Goodwill Ambassador for Arab States

Her Royal Highness (HRH), Princess Lamia Bint Majed Al Saud, the Secretary General of Alwaleed Philanthropies, was reappointed as the UN-Habitat Goodwill Ambassador for the Arab region for a second term during a meeting held at the UN-Habitat premises in Riyadh.

As the first ever UN-Habitat Goodwill Ambassador for the Arab region appointed in 2020, HRH shed the light on key urban issues through her engagement with UN-Habitat activities and events, including the tenth session of the World Urban Forum 2020 and World Habitat Day Global Observance 2020.

HRH further advocated for topics, including Cities free from Violence against Women and Girls and COIVID-19 response in urban areas, as well as supported resource mobilization for a number of projects, targeting housing for the most vulnerable groups, COVID-19 response and climate action, spanning Iraq, Palestine, Sudan, Yemen, and Tunisia.

“I am greatly honoured to have been appointed for the second time as the UN-Habitat Regional Goodwill Ambassador for the Arab world. Our partnership with UN-Habitat will support our efforts to address issues around urbanization and its implications on societies, economies and environments. We promise to continue building bridges for a more compassionate, tolerant and accepting future along with our key partners.”

HRH signed her appointment letter in the presence of Maimunah Mohd Sharif, UN-Habitat Executive Director, Erfan Ali, UN-Habitat Regional Representative for the Arab States and Ayman El-Hefnawi, UN-Habitat Head of Office in Saudi Arabia.

“In the past three years during UN-Habitat’s cooperation with HRH Princess Lamia bint Majid Al Saud as UN-Habitat’s regional Goodwill Ambassador, HRH has shown the utmost commitment to the advocacy for the UN-Habitat mandate to realise more sustainable, resilient and inclusive cities,” Sharif commented.

UN-Habitat is keen on continuing the cooperation with HRH for the years 2022, 2023 and beyond in all relevant areas, including climate action, urban crisis response, housing and advocating the realization of better cities for all. 

source/content: see.news (headline edited)

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SAUDI ARABIA

KUWAIT: 18th ‘Arab Media Forum’ kicks off in Kuwait, May 28th

The 18th Arab Media Forum kicked off on Sunday in Kuwait under the patronage of Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Nawaf Al-Sabah.

The event focused on a range of issues pertaining to the future of media in the region, Kuwait News Agency reported.

During one of the sessions, Jameel Al-Thiyabi, editor-in-chief of Saudi newspaper Okaz stated that the rise of Artificial Intelligence would have an impact on media outlets all over the world, emphasizing the importance of keeping up with AI developments in media rather than falling behind.

The Arab League’s assistant secretary-general for media Ahmed Khattabi stressed the importance of addressing challenges within digital media, adding that improving media capacities should not overshadow topics of significant importance to the Arab world, particularly the Palestinian cause.

Meanwhile, Waleed Al-Jasim, editor-in-chief of Kuwaiti newspaper Al-Rai, said Arab media faced challenges surrounding media freedoms, adding that social media platforms allowed for more freedom of expression compared with mainstream media.

Hatim Al Taie, editor-in-chief of Omani newspaper Al-Roya, warned younger people working in the industry needed to prepare for the oncoming digital media transformation. He called on the Arab League to impose fees on international media companies, with the money used in funding media entities in the Arab region.

source/content: arabnews.com (headline edited)

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KUWAIT / ARAB WORLD

EGYPTIAN Soprano Neveen Allouba to be Awarded France’s Order of Arts and Letters

Well-known Egyptian soprano Neveen Allouba will be awarded France’s Ordre des Arts et des Lettres in the grade of Chevalier (Knight) by France’s ambassador to Cairo next week.

Allouba’s award for exceptional achievements in the Egyptian music scene follows decades of work in the many aspects of the country’s cultural scene.

Born in 1955, she is among the best known personalities of the Egyptian music scene, with substantial influence outside the country.

Her career includes working with the Cairo Opera Company, where she has performed in countless operas. She has taught numerous young singers and both founded and directed many successful creative endeavours of the Fabrica musical theatre company.

As a young girl, Allouba had dreams of becoming an actress, but was not supported by her family. Instead, she turned to playing piano and singing, graduating from the Cairo Conservatory in 1978.

She was granted scholarships from the Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (West German Cultural Exchange) and the Friedrich-Naumann Foundation to study opera performance and vocal pedagogy at the Hannover Hochschule fur Music and Theatre where she deepened her singing techniques and eventually obtained a doctorate in 1988.

During her decade-long stay in Germany, Allouba performed as soloist at the Detmold Opera. She also performed in other European operas and theatres and across the Arab world at that time. In 1985, she won the first prize in the female voice category of the competition for young opera singers in Berlin.

Upon her return to Egypt, the soprano became a soloist at the Cairo Opera Company, becoming the first female singer to perform in the newly opened Cairo Opera House. As her singing career progressed, Allouba coupled her performances with her teaching career at the Cairo Conservatory, Cairo Opera Development Centre, University of Alexandria and the American University in Cairo where she is an adjunct professor of voice. She also participated as a jury member in a number of singing competitions.

Some of her students went on to continue their education outside Egypt and thrived as internationally renowned singers.

These include Farrah El-Dibani, a mezzo soprano who performs at the Paris Opera; the Germany-based Rita Sebeih, the lead role of Jasmine in the Disney German  production of Aladdin; Nesma Mahgoub, winner of the eighth season of the Star Academy Arab World; Fatma Said, a soprano who was the first Egyptian to join the Academy of Milan’s Teatro alla Scala before launching a big international career.

Fabrica chapter


In mid-2010, Allouba founded the Fabrica musical theatre company, through which she trains, develops and promotes new voices.

Fabrica’s pilot production of Mozart’s opera The Magic Flute in Egyptian Arabic was staged in collaboration with the Bibliotheca Alexandrina in 2011.

In 2013, the company premiered Les Miserables in Egyptian Arabic and even toured in the USA. It experienced an additional boost in popularity when it was promoted by the internationally famous Egyptian comedian Bassem Youssef. 

This was only the beginning of many successes of Fabrica and its members. Its successes include performances of Brecht’s Threepenny Opera and adaptations of local shows including El-Leila El-Kebira by Salah Jaheen and Sayed Mekawy, in addition to rock, jazz and Disney concerts.

Fabrica also performed during the inaugural El Gouna Film Festival’s opening ceremony (2017), the SNL Bel Araby’s 50th episode celebration, the Egyptian Media and Production Company’s 20 year anniversary and the Intra-African Trade Fair (2018), among other events. Fabrica was brought to light again, as the company won the award for Best Music Video at the ninth annual MoziMotion festival, held in Hilversum, the Netherlands (October 2019) for Mercury Rising: A Queen Tribute, released in January 2019 (a few months after Bohemian Rhapsody was released in theatres).

Overdue recognition


Allouba’s portfolio and well-established position in the field combines many operatic appearances as well as an unconditional belief in the young generation and a natural – almost motherly – dedication to support and promote young talents, while offering to the Egyptian audiences valuable performances. 

It’s worth mentioning that most recently, Allouba was appointed director of the new Arkan Theatre in Sheikh Zayed.

The award comes after Allouba’s decades of perseverance and work that often lacked sufficient limelight. It is an important recognition, if overdue, for an artist whose work has created a strong impact on many singers of more than one Egyptian generation.

The France’s Order of Arts and Letters will be awarded to Allouba during a ceremony held at the French Embassy in Cairo, in the first week of June.

Over the past years, a number of Egyptian figures have also been awarded the Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters in the grade of Chevalier.

They include Egyptian novelist and Nobel laureate Naguib Mahfouz, novelist and journalist Gamal El-Ghitani, visual artist and women’s activist Inji Aflatoun, novelist Alaa al-Aswany, theatre director Ahmed El Ettar , composer and conductor Hisham Gabr , producer and scriptwriter Mohamed Hefzy, mezzo soprano  Farrah El-Dibany , artist Karima Mansour , among others.

Also the Tunisian-Egyptian actress Hend Sabry is among the recipients of the award in grade of the Commander.

source/content: english.ahram.org.eg/ (headline edited)

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EGYPT

EGYPTIAN / FRANCE: ‘Kalam Aflam’: Fostering a Community for Emerging Arab Artists in Paris

Founded by Egyptian filmmaker Hayat Aljowaily, ‘Kalam Aflam’ is spotlighting emerging Arab artists in Paris.

As Egyptian and Arab artists continue to explore new mediums and voices around the world, experimenting with themes rooted in their respective local identities, one Egyptian filmmaker in France found herself yearning for a community, and so she became a host for one. With a belief in the power of the collective, Hayat Aljowaily founded ‘Kalam Aflam’, a space for emerging Arab artists in Paris and beyond.

‘Kalam Aflam’ launched its first event this May at Point Ephemere, Paris, under the theme ‘Coming of Age’, which hosted a series of art installations, short films and musical performances centring around the same theme. “This is a project that I was dying to make happen for three years, and so the theme ‘Coming of Age’ felt very fitting for our first event,” Hayat Aljowaily tells CairoScene. “It – or we – are something that is ‘becoming’.”

Like many Arabs in the diaspora, Aljowaily can sometimes feel like her experience isn’t Western enough or Arab enough. Within the folds of ‘Kalam Aflam’, however, she looks to surround herself with artists who share in her experiences.

“As an Arab artist living abroad, one always feels like they’re in between. But when you’re part of a community of people who look like you or have similar experiences, it changes everything,” Aljowaily says. “It was so refreshing to be in a space where I’m not the only Arab woman, my friends had to look around within a sea of familiar faces to spot me.”

Through an upcoming series of public arts and cultural events, ‘Kalam Aflam’ offers up a space for self-expression and a blossoming creative narrative for those on the lookout for a home. Aljowaily and her partners, Palestinian communications specialist Abood Al Bakri and Lebanese art director Katja Kanaan, continue to open doors for emerging voices, carving out a space for themselves while spotlighting stories waiting to be told.

source/content: cairoscene.com (headline edited)

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FRANCE / EGYPT

EGYPTIAN: Omar Khairat takes centre stage as ‘Cultural Personality of the Year’: UAE’s 17th Sheikh Zayed Book Award (SZBA)

Egyptian acclaimed composer Omar Khairat has been selected as the Cultural Personality of the Year by the organizers of the UAE’s 17th edition of the Sheikh Zayed Book Award (SZBA).

Omar Khairat will be awarded “in honour of an illustrious, decades-long career of timeless musical creations that have contributed to shaping the collective cultural consciousness of the Arab region,” as stated by the SZBA’s official website.

“The SZBA’s Board of Trustees endorsed the Scientific Committee’s decision to choose Khairat as the Cultural Personality of the Year in recognition of his remarkable talent and artistic turnout, which has been tremendously popular in the Arab world and has been featured in musical introductions to films and many dramas.”

The SZBA is organized by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC); part of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi).

Winners of this year’s SZBA also include Iraqi poet Ali Jaafar Alallaq; French author Mathieu Tillier; Algerian author Said Khatibi; Tunisian translator Chokri Al Saadi; Tunisian critic Jalila Al Tritarm, and Egyptian publishing house Dar ElAin.

Excellence and Innovation

Each year, the Cultural Personality of the Year award is given to “a prominent figure who has contributed to the advancement of Arabic culture and promoted peaceful coexistence.”

“This year, we are proud to select Omar Khairat, one of the most renowned and celebrated musicians in the Arab world,” stated Undersecretary of DCT Abu Dhabi Saood Abdulaziz Al Hosani.

“His constant striving for excellence and innovation has seen the artist make an incalculable impact on the music industry and the wider cultural landscape, as well as foster important cross-cultural dialogue. His passion reflects Abu Dhabi’s vision to nurture creativity and harness the power of the arts to build bridges and transcend borders,” he added.

Considerable Career

Born in 1947, the multi-awarded Omar Khairat is one of the top musicians of the Arab world with hundreds of memorized compositions in his repertoire.

Throughout his long successful career, he has written scores for numerous films and television series, including The Sixth Day (1984); The Terrorist (1993); Mafia (2002); Girl’s Love (2003); The Embassy in the Building (2005), and Deer’s Blood (2006), to name but a few.

His concerts are usually fully-booked weeks ahead of time with his wide fan base singing along and humming with compositions like Heya Di El-Hayah; Fi Hawid El Leil; Arabian Rhapsody; Fiha Haga Helwa; Eadam Mayet; El-Khawaga Abdel-Kader; Giran El-Hana; Saber; Arfa; Qadeyet Am Ahmed; Khali Balak Men Aklak, and other classic hits of time-honoured TV and films themes.

Among his upcoming performances is the 3rd of June’s large concert at the Sound and Light Theatre at the Pyramids and Sphinx site in Giza, where half of the tickets have already been sold-out.

source/content: english.ahram.org.eg (headline edited)

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Egyptian composer Omar Khairat performs at one of his recent concerts

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EGYPT