JORDAN-HERITAGE EVENT Jordanian charity puts traditional music in the spotlight

Record ID: 148873

  • Title: JORDAN-HERITAGE EVENT Jordanian charity puts traditional music in the spotlight
  • Date: 30th June 2015
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) HEAD OF SABA GROUP, RULA JARADAT, SAYING: "These groups that are tasked with heritage revival definitely they have a goal and our continuity means that people demand the old because maybe they get tired. We're living in a fast paced age, everything is quick, and so as long as these songs exist, there is a need to go back to our roots, our origins and t
  • Embargoed: 15th July 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Jordan
  • Country: Jordan
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVAAPLYATUIQWETE3HFYPQ9QC29T
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: In a bid to raise funds during Ramadan, a Jordanian charity hosted a fundraiser showcasing traditional Arabic music.
    Scores of guests attending the event were entertained by musicians and performers from Jordan and the West Bank city of Nablus.
    ''Today's event is a charitable traditional concert held by the Ebal Society that is held annually and we invite traditional groups from Nablus. The event also includes charitable things, it's attended by a great number of the society's general committee and their friends and guests,'' said the charity's director Abdo Afo Aloul.
    Taking to the stage was Saba group, who performed using traditional string instruments like the oud and the qanun.
    Deema Sweidan is one of the musicians, she said it's important to remind people of more traditional styles of music.
    "When we play our songs we present people with the heritage, and we remind people of the tradition and the traditional Arabic music and we see what is suitable for the event, so for example if we see that today we need to present traditional or classical, and we try for people... because people need to be attached to their traditions their heritage. This is our identity,'' she said.
    The fundraiser takes place every year during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, with guests paying 35 Jordanian Dinars, the equivalent of around 50 U.S dollars. All proceeds from the event go towards funding the charity's various projects.
    Rula Jaradat is head of the Saba group, she says people should go back to their roots and celebrate music from former eras.
    "These groups that are tasked with heritage revival definitely they have a goal and our continuity means that people demand the old because maybe they get tired. We're living in a fast paced age, everything is quick, and so as long as these songs exist, there is a need to go back to our roots, our origins and to go back and listen to the songs that we were raised listening to,'' she said.
    The charity was founded in 1992, and it offers assistance and aid to hundreds of families. According to the charity's website it provides monthly cash payments for orphans as well as funding for a number of university places.
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