Damascus, Aug.5 (SANA) The Damascus International Festival of Arabic Poetry celebrated the tradition of sung poetry on Tuesday evening with a performance by Lebanese vocalist Walaa Al-Jundi at the Damascus Opera House.
Held during the festival’s third day, the concert explored the connection between Arabic poetry and music, featuring works from different periods of Arab literary history, including classical verse, romantic poetry, spiritual themes and Andalusian muwashahat, a traditional poetic and musical form originating from medieval Andalusia.
Al-Jundi opened the evening with “Shakawt Layli” (“I Complained of My Night”), a contemporary poem by Kuwaiti poet Abdulaziz Saud Al-Babtain, composed by Bilal Al-Zein. She later performed excerpts from Al-Qushayri’s Ayniyyah poem, set to music by the Rahbani Brothers, along with Ahmed Shawqi’s “Mudnak Jafahu Marqaduhu”, composed by Mohamed Abdel Wahab.
The program also featured the Andalusian muwashah “Jadaka Al-Ghayth” by Lisan al-Din Ibn al-Khatib, as well as “Aghadan Alqak” (“Shall I Meet You Tomorrow?”) by Sudanese poet Al-Hadi Adam, a work widely known through the voice of Umm Kulthum and the music of Mohamed Abdel Wahab.
The evening concluded with two well-known works associated with modern Arab music: “Ana Ya Asfourat Al-Shajan” (“I Am the Bird of Sorrow”), composed by the Rahbani Brothers, and “Qari’at Al-Finjan” (“The Fortune Teller”), a famous poem by Syrian poet Nizar Qabbani composed by Mohamed El-Mougy.
Al-Jundi is widely recognized for her efforts to preserve Arabic vocal heritage through performances of classical poetry and Andalusian muwashahat.
The performance drew applause from the audience, which included poets, cultural figures and Syrian Minister of Culture Mohammad Yassin Al-Saleh.
The Damascus International Festival of Arabic Poetry continues to combine literary sessions with artistic performances, highlighting the role of music in preserving and presenting Arabic poetic heritage.
R.D/RK
