Assi El-Hallani, Wael Jassar cancel concerts at Arab Music Festival

Ahram Online , Wednesday 9 Oct 2024

Lebanese stars Wael Jassar and Assi El-Hallani cancelled their concerts at the 32nd Arab Music Festival and Conference, scheduled for 11-24 October.

Arab Music Festival

 

Both artists cancelled their concerts due to the escalating situation in Lebanon, Khaled Dagher head of the festival revealed. 

Their performances in Cairo were among the highlights of the annual festival showcasing renowned singers from the Arab region.

Prominent singer and actor El-Hallani, 53, gained fame in the 1990s and is known for his powerful voice and a style that blends traditional Arabic music with modern pop influences. 

He released 22 albums throughout his career.

Jassar, 47, is known for his romantic songs and has released several albums including Wahashni and El Hobb El Akid.

He is also known to sing various theme songs for TV series and films.

El-Hallani and Jasser served as judges on the Arabic version of the reality show The Voice.

Both artists have taken the stage of the festival in previous editions.

The Arab Music Festival and Conference will take place in multiple venues in Cairo, Alexandria, and other governorates, under the helms of composer Khaled Dagher, a renowned musician and former chairman of the Cairo Opera House.

The annual festival hosts dozens of concerts for some well-known Egyptian and Arab singers, all accompanied by an orchestra under the batons of renowned maestros, alongside the events showcasing smaller ensembles.

The event will see workshops and competitions in singing, songwriting, and instrumental performance. These include categories for youngsters, kids, and special needs in addition to non-music reader instrumentalist talents.

This 32nd edition of the festival was scheduled for 24 October 2023, featuring 40 concerts and 120 artists from across the Arab world. 

Following the eruption of Israel's war on Gaza on 7 October 2023, the former culture minister Nevine ​El-Kilany announced the festival's "indefinite postponement."

The ministry's decision was aligned with a general wave of Arab artists and institutions either postponing or cancelling their events while quoting solidarity with Gaza. 
 

Lebanon under attack
 

An increasing number of Lebanese artists are cancelling their concerts at various events across the region, referencing the Israeli bombardment of their country.

At least 1,400 Lebanese, including civilians and medics, have been killed and 1.2 million driven from their homes in less than two weeks since Israel started its aggression on Lebanon.

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