El Oued – The 11th edition of the Local Cultural Festival of Soufi Music and Song kicked off on Thursday evening at the Mohamed El-Amin Al-Amoudi Cultural House in the city of El Oued.
The opening ceremony featured a powerful performance of the operetta “Gaza”, which draws from six poetic works composed by Dr. Saleh Khattab. The operetta reflects the suffering of the Palestinian people under brutal Israeli aggression and genocide, while also highlighting how Algeria’s liberation revolution has inspired oppressed nations in their pursuit of freedom and independence.
Directed by Nabil Mesai Ahmed, the 25-minute theatrical performance featured 15 actors, who delivered expressive body movements on stage, depicting the Palestinian struggle since the Nakba of 1948.
The opening event was attended by a range of local artistic figures, both professionals and amateurs, united by their shared passion for music, singing, and poetry.
Competition and Festival Program: October 24 – 27
This edition of the festival, running from October 24 to 27, brings together 10 amateur artists from the Souf region, who will compete over four days in a contest for the Best Vocal Performance. Participants aim to win one of the festival’s three prestigious awards:
- The Golden Palm for first place
- The Silver Palm for second place
- The Bronze Palm for third place
Workshops, Poetry, and Lectures on Palestine
The festival, themed “Palestine in the Eyes of Artists”, offers a rich program beyond musical competition. It includes four open workshops, led by experts in musical modes, lyrical poetry, and music theory, alongside poetry readings centered around the theme of Palestine. The event will also feature lectures on the history of music and singing in the Souf region, giving participants a deeper understanding of the region’s cultural heritage.
Preserving Souf’s Musical Heritage and Promoting New Talent
According to the festival’s organizer, artist Lakhdar Hashifa, the event aims to showcase the unique musical and lyrical heritage of the Souf region while providing a platform for young talents. “This festival serves as a space for discovering promising artists who can bring innovation in performance, composition, and poetry, fostering new creative expressions,” Hashifa said during his opening speech.
The jury panel for this edition will consist of renowned experts in vocal performance, composition, and lyrical poetry, ensuring a high standard of evaluation throughout the competition. All festival activities will take place at the Mohamed El-Amin Al-Amoudi Cultural House.
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Author: nor-eleslam
The 11th Soufi Music and Song Festival: Art, Heritage, and the Palestinian Cause
