Arts Canteen presents Sama’. سماع

Sama’ literally means ‘listening deeply, intently’.

Drawing from a long history of indigenous traditions and incorporating diverse influences of surrounding cultures, music in Palestine and among the millions of Palestinians in diaspora offers a unique window on cultural and political events of the past century.

From the perspective of scholars, performers, composers, and activists, Palestinian Music and Song examines the many ways in which music has been a force of representation, nation building, and social action.

Last year, qanoon virtuoso Ibrahim Atari enchanted Brighton audiences when he played in a concert with young musicians from the Gaza Music School, part of the Edward Said National Conservatoire of Music (ESNCM).

Ibrahim returns to UK in June to play at the Friends Meeting House with Sama’, the ensemble he leads. The other musicians in Sama’ are Heather Bursheh, flute and voice, Øystein Bru Frantzen, bass guitar and Wassim Qassis, buzuk and percussion. The musicians are all linked to the Edward Said National Conservatoire of Music (ESNCM), Palestine’s leading music school. They will play classical and contemporary Middle