Jerusalem International Oud Festival 2020Sun
Nov 1 9:00PM

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The Jerusalem International Oud Festival is an annual celebration of the Middle East’s “king of instruments”, a pear-shaped string instrument that is very popular in North African Middle Eastern music.

Founded in 2000, the oud festival promotes cultural diversity while strengthening familiar sounds and protecting endangered sounds.

Every year the festival presents many original productions and special performances that offer unique interpretations of ancient and modern works and illustrate the connection between Arab and Persian classical music and Jewish liturgical music.

Hosted by the Confederation House, this year the festival celebrates its 20th anniversary, bringing some of the most incredible stars of the Hindi, Greek, Turkish and Balkan music in new arrangements and colorful interpretations of the greatest voices and instrumentalists of the genre.

Oud Festival 2019 Highlights

A unique duo: Omer Faruk Tekbilek and Brian Keane

The opening event is an exclusive performance, arrange especially for the 20th anniversary of the Oud Festival. It brings together the glorified Turkish musician Omer Faruk Tekbilek, the renowned guitarist Brian Keane and Zara – the famous Turkish singer of Kurdish descent. This is the most special evening that will bring you the opportunity to hear some of the creations the two stars created during the 30 years of their cooperation and seven albums.
Tekbilek is known for his work with leading artists in the World Music genre, including Ofra Haza. Tomatito, Yasmin Levi and others. His main idea is to bring people together through music, without any political agenda.

Where: Jerusalem Theater, 20 David Marcus Street, Jerusalem

When: November 21st, 21:00

The Bağlama festival

This year, the listeners will enjoy dwelling into the Bağlama music, thanks to the arrival Diwan Saz ensemble and the known Turkish artist – Okan Murat Öztürk, with guest appearance of Mark Eliyahu, Itamar Duari and David Menachem. The program will present ancient tunes from the Turkish-Sufi traditional, along with typical liturgy and alongside Arab-Turkish music. Together, it’s a charming blend of languages, cultures and melodies that will surely touch the heart of every listener.

Where: Jerusalem Theater, 20 David Marcus Street, Jerusalem
When: November 25th, 21:00

Shahid Parvez the sitar master and Parveen Sultana

For the first time in Israel – one of the most famous Indian musicians – Shahid Parvez and Parveen Sultana, queen of the classical Indian music.
The first half of the show will be purely instrumental (performed by Parvez) and the second will include wonderful songs by Sultana, whose voice hear on Bollywood movies and can transform from classic to modern, from joyful rhythms to meditative and calming ones. The musicians will be accompanied by tabla, Pump organ and Tambora.

Where: Jerusalem Theater, 20 David Marcus Street, Jerusalem

When: November 28th, 20:00

The closing event – Estudiantina orchestra and the singer Alkistis Protopsalti

The festival will come to its end with a special show of Estudiantina orchestra, conducted by Nies Unies and the famous singer Alkistis Protopsalti, who worked with numerous famous composers, including Stavaros Xarchkos, Theodorakis and Dionysis Savvopoulos.

The program of the evening will include famous melodies and new and original arrangements, presenting the traditional Greek music, the tunes of the Balkan and of modern Greek composers.

Where: Jerusalem Theater, 20 David Marcus Street, Jerusalem

When: November 30st, 21:00

Details

When: November 21-30, 2019
Where: Jerusalem Theater & Confederation House
Tickets: Buy now!
Contact: 02-6245206

Photos by Yannis Margetoussakis, Alena Soboleva

Where to Stay in Jerusalem

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Don’t go to the festival on an empty stomach! There are plenty of amazing restaurants in Jerusalem, whether you’re looking for a quick bite, something romantic or family-friendly!

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