Arab Culture Festival marks 10 years
Tunisian violinist Yasmine Azaiez will perform with her band at the 10th Arab Culture Festival. / Courtesy of Yasmine Azaiez
By John Redmond
Performances for the 10th Arab Culture Festival will take place in Seoul tonight and Gwangju, Friday.
Titled “Invitation of Arab Performance” the concert will feature the Ranin Elbalimbo Group, a folk band from Sudan, Iraqi oud player Ahmad Shamma and Tunisian violinist Yasmine Azaiez.
Organizers state audiences in Korea will be entertained by “an artistic performance that combines tradition and modernity of the Arab region.”
The Ranin Elbalimbo Group offers 11 musicians playing traditional Sudanese music on modern instruments.
Oud player Shamma will play Iraqi folk songs and accompany Palestinian singer Azza Zaarour.
Yasmine Azaiez will perform songs featuring her unique fusion style, with a band including double bass, darbuka and drum.
The festival, which features diverse programs including an Arab film festival and cultural performance, aims to further understanding of Middle East culture and nurture friendships between Korea and Arab countries.
Admission to both concerts is free.
The Seoul concert begins at 8 p.m. at the National Theater of Korea, KB Haneul Round Theater in Seoul. The Gwangju concert starts at 5 p.m. at the Asia Culture Center Theater 2 in Gwangju.
The festival is sponsored by Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Korea Foundation and hosted by the Korea-Arab Society (KAS). It began in 2008 in line with the establishment of the KAS.
KAS is a nonprofit foundation established by governments of Korea and Arab countries, as well as corporations and related organizations to promote exchanges and cooperation between Korea and 22 Arab countries.
Visit arabfestival.or.kr or email
for more.