Syrian violinist Shalan Alhamwy and Belgian accordionist Jonas Malfliet present their first album ‘Safar’ (‘travel’ in Arabic). Long before their meeting in 2017, Jonas and Shalan were both taking more and more interest in each other’s music, eventually crossing each other’s path during an internship Shalan gave to violinists and an accordionist: Jonas. Since then, they have been creating and weaving together music ranging from Syria to Belgium via Turkey, Bulgaria, Hungary and Germany. Damast, the name of their duo, refers to this silky fabric with bright patterns typical of Damascus, for which Kortrijk was in the Middle Ages the great manufacturing center. Their duet is a beautiful mixture with a satiny result, full of motifs, alternating improvisations and pieces gleaned on the road between Brussels and Damascus.

Since their memorable concert around the pool Villa Empain during the Hide & Seek Festival 2017, the Wajd Ensemble returns to play in Brussels. Composed of four professional Syrian musicians who have found refuge in Belgium, the Wajd Ensemble offers a representative repertoire of oriental music and brings to life classical Syrian music based in Sufi music. Originally from Aleppo, it is important for them to show the richness of their Syrian culture. The musicians of the Wajd Ensemble present musical works little discussed and little known, that they take to heart and deliver with as much class as serenity.

Damast Duo

• Shalan Alhamwy: violon
• Jonas Malfliet: accordion

Wayd Ensemble

• Khaled Alhafez: vocals, percussion
• Tarek al Sayed Yahya: oud
• Tammam al Ramadan: ney
• Youssef Nassif: qanun