“Music frees the spirit”, at least that’s what the Sufis think. They are an ancient offshoot of Islam and they ascribe to music the ability to uplift us and empty our heads of what they call the “glue of earth”. Whether music serves as an offering to the gods, inclines us to spiritual harmony or helps our personal development, it summons up positive emotions whatever else happens, and sacred music will be the guiding light of these two days of festival.
Tibetan Sufi music will meet the sarod (an instrument from Hindu culture) interpreted by an artiste of Pakistani origin, the oriental doholla (a bass drum) will team up with an Indian raga and an Iranian percussionist will accompany the melodies of Mongolian shamans.
On the second evening a player of the Alevite saz will play together with a player of the orthodox duduk, a duo complemented by Sufi poems sung by an Iranian songstress with the additional ingredient of a six-piece ensemble of musicians from various sacred traditions of the Middle East.
04/12
Aren Dolma & Kelsang Hula (Tibet)
Asad Qizilbash & Simon Leleux (Pakistan/BEL)
Sedaa (Mongolia/Iran)
05/12
Nebras (Syria/TUR)
Sepideh Raissadat (Iran)
Vardan Hovanissian & Emre Gültekin (Turkey/Armenia/BEL)
Free, but reservation required.