Sharjah World Music Festival concludes with spectacular fusion of world music

The closing night of the third Sharjah World Music Festival (SWMF 2016) brought together an eclectic blend of music with a spectacular performance by the Jordanian National Orchestra, with a unique mixture of opera and traditional Emirati oud playing.

The SWMF, organised by Furat Qaddouri Music Centre and sponsored by the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), was hailed a magnificent success as nightly concerts and performances brought people together to enjoy music from around the word.

Emirati oud player Ali Obaid and his band "Takht Al Emarat" opened the night with "The Story of a Nation", which told the story of the creation of the Union through various stages, depicted the country's major success and milestones. The performance was accompanied by a visual feast of sand art as Shayma Al Mughairy painted images from different stages of the UAE's history using sand. The country’s achievements, architectural monuments and iconic buildings that reflect the UAE's identity and cultural progress were brought to life on stage.

The audience erupted into applause as a picture of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan appeared as the stage backdrop and Ali Obaid enthralled the audience as he continued to play on the oud.  

Following this, the Jordanian National Orchestra, consisting of Jordanian soprano opera singer Dima Bawab and creative singer Zain Awad, and Maestro Mohammed Othman Siddiq stunned the audience by performing "The Arabic Opera". The trio created a magical experience through a creative mixture of classical music and opera. With her crystal soprano voice, Dima Bawab sang and enchanted the audience, while Zain Awad sang a number of the famous songs of Lebanese legend Fairuz, such as “Akhir Ayyam Elshetweya”, “Badak Ala Bali” and “Ya Sahr Al Layali”.

Furat Qaddouri, musician and manager of the Sharjah World Music Festival, said, “This has been a wonderful six nights of live music, bringing together some of the most talented musicians from around the world. We are proud of the distinguished position the festival achieves year after year. The festival plays an important role in introducing the local community to different musical cultures by hosting the world's best known artists and bands."

Fatima Al Nuaimi, General Coordinator of the Sharjah World Music Festival, said, “We are pleased with the success of this third edition of the festival. There has been a great turn out from the public and we have welcomed more people to the tourist and leisure destinations that hosted the concerts. The festival is an excellent opportunity for members of the public to experience a unique fusion of world musical cultures, and helps to strengthen Sharjah’s presence on the calendar of major art events.”

During its six days, the festival featured 36 concerts performed by 19 artists and bands from 13 Arab and foreign countries. The concerts took place at five venues in Sharjah: Al Majaz Amphitheatre; Al Qasba; The Flag Island, the Heart of Sharjah and Al Majaz Waterfront. Legendary Tunisian singer Saber Al Rebai performed on the first night at Al Majaz Amphitheatre to a packed venue.

The festival featured an elite group of internationally acclaimed singers and musicians, most notably Hungarian artist Joszef Lendvay, Italian Stefano Di Battista, Emirati artists Hassan Ali, Arwa Ahmed and Ali Obeid, Bulgarian pianist Kalina Yordanova Simeonova, Russian saxophone player, Vera Barnett Schuster, and Argentinian cellist Clara Asuaje.

Other performers include renowned local, Arab and international bands such as Turkey’s Taksim Trio, Palestinian Le Trio Joubran, and Dubai’s Brazilian Beatz, in addition to Furat Qaddouri Music Centre’s Studio Talent Group.

The third Sharjah World Music Festival’s main sponsors are Zee Alwan and Zee Aflam channels, and Al Zahia (the first gated community project in Sharjah undertaken by Sharjah Holding Company). The Government of Sharjah and the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority are the golden sponsors, and the Emirates Neon Group is the co-sponsor. 

The festival was launched in Al Qasba in 2014. It is organised by Furat Qaddouri Music Centre and sponsored by the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq). By organizing this first of its kind festival, Furat Qaddouri Music Centre strives to raise the profile of cultural and artistic presence of Sharjah and the UAE, introduce the UAE community to various musical cultures from other parts of the world and add to the emirate’s rich portfolio of cultural achievements by hosting major art, cultural and heritage festivals throughout the year.