Reviving the Nay Tradition in Jordan
Jordanian Rabee’ Zureikat is on a mission to restore severed links to the Arab past by reviving a musical heritage, one nay at a time.
Music
Freedom and Dislocation in Jamal Mahjoub’s Novel, The Fugitives
David Rife reviews the latest fiction from the Sudanese British author of more than a dozen literary and noir novels.
Arab Theatre Grapples With Climate Change, Borders, War & Love
London-based Iraqi playwright Hassan Abdulrazak enthuses on the 2023 Shubbak theatre arts extravaganza, June 23-July 9.
Artist At Work: Maya Youssef Finds Home in the Qanun
Rana Asfour talks to Syrian-born and raised qanunist Maya Youssef, who now lives and teaches in the UK.
And Yet Our Brothers: Portraits of France
Laëtitia Soula toured the expansive photo exhibit Portraits of France, which celebrates the lives of 318 immigrants who paid it forward.
The Artist at Work—a Conversation with Souad Massi
Jordan Elgrably interviews the Algerian-French iconoclast about her first album after Covid and about why she's devoted her life to freedom.
Meet Ghoula—Arabic Music Remixed Via Tunisia
In her latest music column for TMR, Melissa Chemam profiles the genre-defying Tunisian electro artist Ghoula.
A new series in France, Raï Is Not Dead, Celebrates the Genre
Melissa Chemam attends the première of the new French music series on Arte TV at the Institut du Monde Arabe in Paris.
Hardi Kurda: Archiving the Sounds of Northern Iraq
Melissa Chemam profiles Iraqi Kurdish musician-composer Hardi Kurda and his projects Space 21 and Archive Khanah: Sounds from Iraq.
Berlin-Based Palestinian Returns to Arabic in new Amrat Album
Music writer Melissa Chemam interviews Rasha Nahas on her new Arabic-language album, "Amrat."
Benjemy : The unclassifiable Tunisian DJ
In which Sarah Ben Hamadi meets a key figure of Tunisia’s cultural underground.
Revolutionary Hit Parade: 12+1 Protest Songs from Iran
Malu Halasa and Beehype on the latest hit parade of protest songs for Iranian freedom.
Gultrah Sound System: Tunisia’s Sound of Freedom
Melissa Chemam explores the Tunisian neo-rap and reggae group from Tunisia that sings for social and political freedom.
Music for Tomorrow: Iranians Yearn for Freedom
Nazanin Malekan vibes with the women's revolution in Iran via her love for music and poetry, both Persian and western.
Dynamic Acoustic Duo Ÿuma Allies with Tunisia and Derja
In her monthly music column, Melissa Chemam talks to Sabrine Jenhani, half of the indie Tunisian duo Ÿuma.