Manama: A music festival to pay tribute to Arab music giants will be held in Qatar next week.
Songs by Um Kalthoom, Abdul Wahab, Laila Murad, and Asmahan among others will feature prominently in the Arab Music Festival, said Hassan Rachid, the head of the festival's organising committee.
The four-day festival, to start on April 19, will also be an opportunity recall the times of outstanding Arab music successes through sensational singing in the Arab world, Hassan said, quoted by Qatar News Agency (QNA).
"The first musical evening will feature Amal Maher who will sing favorites by Um Kalthoom," he said. "The second evening will highlight Abdul Wahab's musical legacy through the voice of Gulf artist Abdullah Al Ruwaished and Egyptian singer Ghada Ragab."
Shami (Syrian and Lebanese) songs will be performed on the third evening by Syrian and Jordanian singers Waad Al Bahary and Ayman Tayseer as well as distinguished artist Wadi Al Safi.
Qatari singer Fahd Al Kabisi will perform on the last evening a selection of songs from the Gulf and the Arab world accompanied by Tunisian artist Dorsaf Hamdani who will sing Tunisian and Arab tunes.
Hassan Rachid said that the culture ministry was keen on culturally varied performances that will help boost cultural standards and encourage creativity.
The status of the Arab music and singing performances will dominate the themes of discussions to be held in the mornings of the festival, organisers said.
