The first traditional Syrian song festival at Al-Azem Palace in Damascus kicks off

Damascus (ST) – On Monday evening, the Ministry of Culture, Directorate of theaters and Music, inaugurated, with a number of traditional Syrian songs, the first traditional Syrian song festival led by the maestro Nazih Asaad at Al-Azm Palace in Damascus.

The festival extends for three days and comes after many experiences of concerts and festivals with different names, to be the most comprehensive in terms of quality and quantity.

The evening began with four songs from the heritage of green Idlib, vocals, Elissar Jawad, and was followed by songs from the heritage of Hama, sung by Haya Al-Shimali.

Marie Hospian presented a number of Armenian traditional songs and Daoud Radwan concluded the evening by presenting songs from the heritage of Suwayda and Daraa.

Maestro Asaad explained in a statement to SANA that the inclusiveness and allocation of traditional songs for each governorate while preserving the dialect and rituals of the city to which that song belongs is what distinguishes the festival. He pointed out that the songs are presented in a committed and authentic artistic style without compromising the nature of the melody and words and on young sound waves interested in the ancient Syrian artistic heritage.

He stated that the method of selecting songs from all the governorates came according to the singer’s desires, the degree of the songs depth in the Syrian’ memory and its closeness to the conscience of generations through the time distances that have been established in the minds.

The festival will continue on August 16 and 17 to cover the heritage of the rest of the Syrian governorates. Young voices from Homs and Aleppo will resound on Tuesday, and be completed with the Kurdish and Euphrates heritage. On Wednesday, the audience will hear the coastal, Golani and Damascene heritage, until the curtain falls on the Mardali, Syriac and Assyrian heritage.

Najla Khoury