Naseer Shamma ignites the strings of freedom in Montreal

USPA NEWS - Inspired by Al-Sayyab, Darwish and Garcia Lorca at the 25th Arab World Festival

Montreal experienced an unforgettable evening last Sunday night with the dazzling return of artist Naseer Shamma on the occasion of the 25th Arab World Festival.

In the show "Burning Strings", Shamma presented a poetic musical symphony dedicated to peoples yearning for liberation and excelled in transforming the oud into an instrument that pulsates with freedom.

On stage, Shamma carried his oud like a veteran fighter, launching his distinctive playing across borders and languages, inspired by six giants of world poetry: Mahmoud Darwish, the poet of the land and homeland, Badr Shakir al-Sayyab, the dreamer of human freedom, Federico Garcia Lorca, the martyred poet and symbol of rebellious beauty, Bechara El Khoury, the poet of love and passion, and Lina al-Tayyibi, the free poet. Shamma presented an artistic epic that took the audience to the heart of the human struggle and the longing for liberation. His playing was not just melodies, but a spiritual language that screamed with determination and hope, combining deep pain with the will to be freed from injustice and tyranny. Each string of the oud told the story of a people struggling for their existence and dignity.

Canadian choreographer Audrey Gosserand and her dance troupe added a magical visual dimension to these sound paintings, in a moment of celebration of beauty and rebellion that will never be erased from memory.

Naseer Shamma stated: The Montreal concert was inspired by the poets of freedom and their immortal poems. Some of the works I presented in the concert were new, and some were presented in a new arrangement for the first time, arranged by Kabi Al-Boutros. They are a collection of my compositions through which I wanted to celebrate poetry and the voice of freedom from the great poets throughout the history of modern poetry. The show was an exceptional show in terms of preparation, arrangements, and the management of the Arab World Festival in Montreal. They made great efforts to make this night special, important, and great. This concert will remain in my memory, in the memory of the musicians, and in the memory of the audience for a long time.

At the end of this exceptional artistic journey, Naseer Shamma stood under the warm applause of the audience to express his deep appreciation for the Arab World Festival, saying: This festival is not just an artistic platform; “It is a bridge that connects cultures and makes us celebrate our common humanity,” Shamma praised the great role that the festival has played over the past twenty-five years in opening doors to creativity and dialogue between cultures and identities, noting the tremendous efforts made by the festival’s organizers to keep Arab culture vibrant and creative in North America.

“Burning Strings” was more than just an evening; it was a celebration of human struggle and a reminder that art is always the most powerful voice of resistance. An unforgettable evening that will remain etched in Montreal’s memory, a witness to the magic that music can create when it meets poetry yearning for freedom.