|
7:00 PM-9:30 PM
Resonant Listening: Syria
Concert | Listening Session with Ali Hasan, Julnar Georges, Mohamad Fityan, Wassim Mukdad and concert of the Arabic Female Voices
-
ACUD Club, Berlin
- Price Free Entrance
- Part of series: Resonant Listening
Music has the power to unite people and offer hope—especially for those who have experienced uprooting or exile. Familiar songs not only evoke memories of past, perhaps better, times but also create a nostalgic connection to places, loved ones, or a way of life once forgotten. They ignite both personal and collective memories, opening the potential for new connections. Music acts as both anchor and agent. In these moments, it holds a community-building function that transcends the boundaries of language.
Each Listening Session is dedicated to presenting pieces of music that hold a special social significance for a particular community. To do so, we invite musicians and musicologists to share up to three of their favorite pieces—whether they are formative genres, classical works from specific regions, or, simply, the "soundtrack of their youth." The selection of pieces reflects cultural and social relevance and gives us a deep insight into the diverse musical traditions of various communities. Each evening concludes with a concert that creates new connections and memories—music as a resonant space for shared experiences.
For the first event, we are excited to feature prominent Syrian musicians who are active in various formations and ensembles on international stages and in Germany. The Listening Session will include contributions from violinist Julnar Georges, musician and composer Mohammed Fityan oud player and composer Wassim Mukdad. The discussion will be moderated by Ali Hasan.
Following the Listening Session, there will be a concert by the band "Arabic Female Voices", featuring Ali Hasan (percussion), Wassim Mukdad (oud), and singer Amal Shehab. The trio, founded in 2022, will perform songs by renowned Arab female artists of the 20th century, including Fairuz, Oum Kalthoum, and Asmahan. The music comes from Egypt, Syria, and Lebanon, brought to life by singer Amal Shehab, accompanied by Ali Hasan and Wassim Mukdad.
The evening is curated by Ali Hasan.
Here is the Spotify playlist:
Guests
Mohamad Fityan (born August 1, 1984 in Aleppo, Syria) is a Syrian musician and composer who is particularly known for his outstanding skills on the nay and the kawala. He graduated from the University of Music (2004-2009) and was a soloist with the Syrian Orchestra and the Syrian Jazz Big Band from 2003 to 2013. He has been living in Germany since 2014, where he has performed as a soloist in numerous orchestras such as: Berlin Symphony Orchestra, the Brussels Jazz Orchestra, and the Bavarian Philharmonic Orchestra, Trickster Orchestra and has reached an ever-growing audience via radio, television and the internet.
As a master of the Nay, Mohamad Fityan represents his instrument on the Elbphilharmonie's YouTube channel. His previous awards include: Best Nay Player Award at the Contest of Syrian Youth Musicians in Syria (2002) and Best Conductor Award at the Contest of Syrian Youth Musicians in Syria (2003).
Julnar Georges is a 32-year-old Syrian violinist from an artistic family. Her passion for music began at the age of 10, and at 12, she won the award for the best oriental violinist in Syria which inspired her to pursue my dreams.
She performed with an Orchestra and local bands during university, then became a soloist, sharing her emotions through her music. Her journey took her to Erbil in Iraq, where she played at diplomatic events and major openings, connecting with diverse audiences.
Now, Julnar Georges lives in Berlin, collaborating with local bands and continuing her musical journey. For her, the violin is more than an instrument—it’s her way to connect.
Ali Hasan is a Berlin-based musician, percussionist, educator, and healing artist with Syrian roots. Renowned for his dynamic rhythms, he performs solo or with groups like Pulsar Collective and Dabke Community Dance by Sasha Waltz & Guests. As certified physical therapist from the Akademie der Gesundheit Berlin/Brandenburg e. V., Ali integrates his therapeutic expertise into his artistry.
As the co-founder and Art Curator of BAYNATNA, the first Arabic Library in Berlin, he fosters Arabic and international arts, earning accolades like “The Power of the Arts 2020”. He also curates and performs with the Resident Music Collective at the Humboldt Forum.
Widely recognized in Europe and international press, Ali Hasan tours extensively and serves as a guest instructor at Berlin University of the Arts (UdK) in Winter 2024/2025.
Wassim Mukdad is a Berlin-based musician of Syrian origin. He plays the oud (the Arabic fretless lute), composes and conducts various ensembles. He enjoys mixing elements of oriental and western musical culture and specializes in various genres such as tarab, fusion and traditional music.
Wassim regularly participates in theater and opera performances, for example at the Neuköllner Oper, Maxim Gorki Theater and the Komische Oper Berlin. With his ensembles Ajam Quartet, Kayan Project, Trio Laulu and Atlas Ensemble (among others), he plays all over Germany and beyond.
Before moving to Germany, Wassim performed with a variety of ensembles in Syria and Turkey, focusing on opening the conversation between cultures and advocating for peace in the face of stereotyping, racism and wars.
Amal Shehab is a singer and musician from Syria based in Berlin. Coming from a classical and folks Arabic music background inspired her to study oriental Arabic and then Opera singing in Damascus, which opened a new door for her to mix different music genres like Sufi, Flamenco, jazz and electronic music.
Amal was a member of different music bands in Syria, Lebanon and Jordan between 2015-2021 performing on various Theaters like opera house in Damascus, Metro Al Madina in Beirut and other stages before she moved to Germany at the end of 2021.
Since 2022 Amal is the leading vocal of Arabic Female Voices Performing in Berlin and across Germany.
