Goethe Institiut im Exil: Resonant Listening Concert | Listening Session with Ali Hasan, Julnar Georges, Wassim Mukdad and concert of the Arabic Female Voices
DI 25.2, 19H ACUD Club
free entrance
Which sounds connect communities? What soundscarry their feelings and memories? With Resonant Listening, we want to explore the musical heritage of communities for whom certain pieces, sounds, and melodies hold a special, even iconic, significance.
Music has the power to unite people and offer hope—especially for those who have experienced uprooting or exile. Familiar songs not only evoke memories of past, perhaps better, times but also create a nostalgic connection to places, loved ones, or a way of life once forgotten. They ignite both personal and collective memories, opening the potential for new connections. Music acts as both anchor and agent. In these moments, it holds a community-building function that transcends the boundaries of language.
Each Listening Session is dedicated to presenting pieces of music that hold a special social significance for a particular community. To do so, we invite musicians and musicologists to share up to three of their favorite pieces—whether they are formative genres, classical works from specific regions, or, simply, the "soundtrack of their youth." The selection of pieces reflects cultural and social relevance and gives us a deep insight into the diverse musical traditions of various communities. Each evening concludes with a concert that creates new connections and memories—music as a resonant space for shared experiences.
For the first event, we are excited to feature prominent Syrian musicians who are active in various formations and ensembles on international stages and in Germany. The Listening Session will include contributions from violinist Julnar Georges, oud player and composer Wassim Mukdad. The discussion will be moderated by Ali Hasan.
Following the Listening Session, there will be a concert by the band "Arabic Female Voices", featuring Ali Hasan (percussion), Wassim Mukdad (oud), and singer Amal Shehab. The trio, founded in 2022, will perform songs by renowned Arab female artists of the 20th century, including Fairuz, Oum Kalthoum, and Asmahan. The music comes from Egypt, Syria, and Lebanon, brought to life by singer Amal Shehab, accompanied by Ali Hasan and Wassim Mukdad.
The evening is curated by Ali Hasan.
The featured songs will subsequently be added to a playlist, which will serve as an accessible archive for future listening.