The 19th edition of the meetings of arts and cultures of the Arab world will take place in Montpellier from September 10 to 22.
As the home stretch begins before the first round of early legislative elections, the return to school in September has never seemed so distant, and worse: uncertain. We are therefore grateful to Arabesques, by the simple fact of sharing the programming of its 19th edition from September 10 to 22, for giving it, at this start of the school year, a certainty, festive, committed to the side of joy, art and love, and open to others. Admit the autumnal horizon has another face like that, in fact it smiles on us!
Women and emergence
It’s not new but still happy, the festival will highlight women with the Tunisian singer Ghalia Benali (10/09), the Persian quintet Atine (11/09), the Moroccan pop star Oum (13/09), the Franco-Algerian folk singer Souad Massi (09/20) and the psyche-gnaoua rock group Bab L’Bluz (09/22). He is equally concerned about emergence, inviting talents from the region (Adil Smaâli, Selim, Aziz Konkrite) or the national scene (Sarab, Benzine, Sami Galbi).
As for the big names (besides those of the aforementioned divas, of course), we can sway to the sound of the electric Tuareg blues of Tinariwen, in great form recently (09/13); curl up with laughter in the company of Amine Radi (09/15), Akim Omiri (09/21) and Djamil le Shlag (09/22); appreciate the philosophical depth of the dialogue between Serge Teyssot-Gay and Khaled AlJaramani (09/15); test the strength of our backs on the hits of Raïna Raï (09/21) and cheer ourselves on the fraternal songs of Mouss & Hakim (09/22).
A focus on Palestinian artists
Naturally committed to artists and cultural actors from the Arab world, Arabesques wanted to honor the Palestinians in particular this year. The 19th edition therefore offers a focus “Once upon a time in Palestine” which unfolds between a round table, the invitation of a poet, an exhibition on Bethlehem hanging in the medina at the Domaine d’O and a panorama of the new musical scene (in collaboration with Jafra Productions with whom the festival forges a lasting friendship). Seven groups are invited to present their creations: 47Soul, Kamilya Jubran, Bashar Murad, Rasha Nahas, Isam Elias, Tareq Abbouchi and Faris Isha. Focus on vitality, rather than fate: we can’t see a better way to face the future!
