Amman festival brings music and poetry to the masses

Record ID: 102302

  • Title: Amman festival brings music and poetry to the masses
  • Date: 23rd May 2016
  • Summary: AUDIENCE IN THE THEATRE AZZAM SINGING AND PLAYING THE OUD MUSICIAN PLAYING THE QANOON VARIOUS OF AZZAM SINGING AND AUDIENCE AUDIENCE APPLAUDING MEMBER OF THE SAMET BABERS SUFI TRIO ON STAGE AUDIENCE VARIOUS OF WHIRLING DERVISH PERFORMANCE
  • Embargoed: 7th June 2016 09:50
  • Keywords: Music festival Sufi Concert Free Culture Jordan
  • Location: AMMAN, JORDAN
  • City: AMMAN, JORDAN
  • Country: Jordan
  • Reuters ID: LVA0054J10OD1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: A cultural festival open to all is taking place in Amman, allowing audiences free access to music, dance and poetry events.
    The festival, called Khan Al Funoon, aims to showcase the arts through the celebration of Jordan's rich heritage aimed at attracting all sections of its society.
    "The Khan Al Funoon festival is an Arab non-profit initiative. We aim to produce and present art for free. One of our functions will include a translation workshop, where we will tell stories from world literature (in Arabic) for the first time. We also have several free music events like the one held today," said Jumana Mustafa, poet and one of the founders of the initiative.
    The brainchild of a group of Jordanian volunteers, the festival was inaugurated with an evening of song and dance held in the historic Odeon theatre in downtown Amman.
    One of the performers, singer and musician Alaa Azzam transported the audience back in time.
    Azzam sang several well-known Arabic folk songs from the late 1800's and the early 1900's, hoping to introduce them to younger listeners.
    "There are many musicians who re-use old work, they steal a line or two from legendary artists and they turn it into songs. We wanted to present the original music, we chose songs that feel modern, like "light soul", "This is what happened", and "Visit me often" songs that are over a hundred years old and are still relevant today. They are old songs but still feel modern, we wanted to present them in a nice way," he said.
    The Turkish group, Samet Baber Trio, also performed a set inspired by mystical Sufi music and dance.
    Sufism, a strain of Islam, emphasises a mystical, personal religious connection. Devotees often play music and carry our 'dhikr' remembrance sessions at shrines.
    On stage, a whirling dervish, clad in white and accompanied by Oud and Nai musicians, enthralled audiences with his moves.
    "Sufi music is loved in Turkey. With Ramadan approaching, I think more people will pay attention to this beautiful music. I am very happy to be performing today, in Turkey many people like watching the sufi dance and listening to its music, I hope that people Jordan will have the same enthusiasm," said Noyan, one of the members of the group.
    The festival will hold a series of events over ten days and will tour around different cities in the kingdom.
    Organisers hope the festival will become an annual event, eventually touring in other countries in the region.
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