This weekend, Sharjah will echo with strains of Arabic music as Iraqi superstar Kadim Al Sahir inaugurates the second Sharjah World Music Festival at Al Majaz Amphitheatre on January 16.
The 10-day festival will feature 13 Arab vocalists, which will include Syrian singer Lena Chamamyan and Lebanese singer Oumeima Al Khalil. Other performers include Egyptian flautist Ines Abdel Dayem and percussionist Nesma Abdul Aziz.
“Sharjah has always been known for paying attention to culture and art through organising festivals and fairs for diverse genres of art and literature,” said Al Saher, who is performing for the first time in the emirate.
Since his first solo Ya Ward Al Ishiq was released in 1981, Al Sahir has established himself as one of the most successful and celebrated Arabic singers. With 24 albums in his repertoire spanning three decades, he has performed at hundreds of concerts in the Arab region and the world, received awards and accolades from top international festivals, and sang lyrics by the best Arab poets, including Nizar Qabbani, Karim Al Iraqi, Manea Saeed Al Ottaibah and Farouq Jwaidah.
“Kadim Al Sahir is one of the greatest Iraqi and Arab vocalists who has earned a wide reputation in the world. His voice expresses nostalgia, longing for the homeland and for the beloved by singing the lyrics of the top Arab poets. He has a proven track record of success, and welcoming him for the first time in Sharjah will be a gala event expected to draw a huge number of audience who are eager to listen to this creative singer,” said Furat Qaddouri, the coordinator of the festival and founder of the Furat Qaddouri Music Centre.
The Sharjah World Music Festival runs from January 16 to 25. Ticket prices start at Dh30 and are available on ticketmaster.ae.
