The International Oud Festival in Jerusalem 2022 celebrates 23 years with special original productions for the festival. An international opening performance will be dedicated to the great Greek composer Vasilis Tsitsanis with the participation of the Estudiantina Orchestra with the great soloists Eleni Vitali and Babis Stukas. In the closing show, Shem Tov Levy and the ensemble sing the Song of Songs. More international shows with oud master Yordal Tokchan in traditional Turkish music in original arrangements, a tribute to the tradition of Fundi music with the participation of the great Fundi singers in Greece. And also a musical journey following Jalal al-Din Rumi from Turkey with Amir Shahasar, who will host the Turkish Sufi musician Issa Nissim and the singer Seljukhan Yilmaz for a one-time summit meeting. The International Oud Festival will be held with the participation of the best creators and with 19 special productions for the festival, premieres and one-off shows.
Women creators in music and groundbreaking singers in the festival program
This year too, the festival will devote a large space to groundbreaking Israeli women artists and will stage shows created especially for the festival: Rif Cohen At the show on the occasion of the release of the new album, which expresses Eastern feminism and female empowerment, Tamar Shawki In tribute to the Lebanese music she grew up listening to in her grandparents’ house, Mira Awad In the first show at the Oud Festival, with Arab fusion, Liraz Charki In a concert on the occasion of the release of the new album, recorded in Istanbul with female Iranian musicians Shir Yefarah and Yehla for five In a unique show dedicated to singing poetry in a feminine aspect.
A special evening will be dedicated to the mythological Egyptian singer Umm Kholthum. in a lecture about it by Prof. Finny Iferganand then a tribute show by Prof. Taysir Elias and his band, along with the singer Violet Salama And the singer – Bard Yehiel Nahari, to perform from the songs of the great singer.
A selection of festival events
The Turkish Oud Master Yordal Tokchan Will come with a project UDI, where he will present a contemporary approach to traditional Turkish music, together with oud players Ofok Kan Ichli andTolga Karslan. A one-time summit meeting will be held with the Negan Hani Amir Shahasarthe Turkish Sufi musician Issa miracles and the Turkish singer Seljukhan Yilmazwho will embark on a musical journey following the Sufi mystic, Jalal al-Din Rumi.
The festival will be marked by an unforgettable performance by Good name Levi, who composed original music for the Song of Songs especially for the festival. Levy will appear with Micah Sheetrit andLinik Springthe Shem Tov Levy ensemble and the “Kol Dodi” ensemble from the “Remon” music school.
A central place will be dedicated to kick-ass shows for the young crowd, which will be held at the distillery. Palestinian-Hebrew hip-hop Under the management of Netta Weiner of System Ali, Traditional Arabic music and contemporary electronics andYemenite Khmara. In addition, there will be free performances in the courtyard of the Khan Theater by students from Man Academy of Music and Dancewe will play classical instrumental, vocal and modern Arabic music.
Yigal Harush In an adaptation of the Royal Crown, one of Shlomo Ibn Gavirol’s masterpieces, in a performance in which he will ask to turn the stage into a prayer house, andThe dove ensemble In the show serving tastings from the Golden Age in Spain to the great revolutionary of the sixteenth century, Rabbi Israel Najara and his mystical tradition.
According to the CEO of Confederation House and the artistic director of the Oud Festival, Efi Banya: “The Oud Festival returns this year to host international performances with first-class creators in their fields. The festival will continue to provide a central stage for ancient Hebrew poetry, and this year we will close the festival with a performance by Shem Tov Levi, who composed texts from the Song of Songs. This year, too, we will continue to emphasize women creators and trailblazers each of which has its own unique language, as well as a representative of a rich program that also appeals to young people in current shows of Palestinian-Hebrew hip-hop, electronic Arabic music and Yemenite hamara at the distillery, and in free shows in the courtyard of the Khan Theater by students from the Academy of Music and Dance.”
More information and the festival program on the Confederation House website: http://www.confederationhouse.org