AMAR Biennale - first edition - Songs of Satire

The Biennale is designed as a focused exploration of a specific theme drawn from the Arab music archive, with the objective of advancing research and fostering a deeper understanding of the evolving identities and unique cultural heritage within the Arab region. For its inaugural edition, the Biennale centers on the satirical song, examining its critical role in addressing social and political issues, as well as its impact on local and broader Arab audiences throughout the past century.

The programme offers a diverse range of activities, including an artistic residency, the release of a new audio and research publication, curated panel discussions, thematic film screenings, a series of AI-generated shorts, and concludes with a live concert featuring satirical songs.

With the support of the Government of Norway and the Arab Fund for Arts and Culture - AFAC.

Free admission.

Detailed schedule:

Day 1 – Tuesday, 6 May
18:00 –18:30          
Launch of AMAR Biennale |First Edition 2025 | Songs of Satire 
Welcome speech of the Foundation for Arab Music Archiving & Research - AMAR
18:30 – 20:00         
Launch of new AMAR publication and panel | Songs of Satire: Dissident Voices of Bilad Al-Sham 1920-1950 | Diana Abbani, Nader Srage and Badih El Hajj

Day 2 – Wednesday, 7 May
Panel
17:00 – 18:30    
Egypt's Songs of Satire: From Musical Theatre to Tahrir Square|Frédéric Lagrange and Tarek Abdallah 
Screening     
19:30 – 21:30     
A compilation on Sheikh Imam based on the series “The Voice of Protest and Rebellion” of Alghad TV
Produced by: Cherif Al Maghazi
Directed by: Marwan Hatem
90’
The screening is followed by a discussion with Tarek Abdallah  

Day 3 – Thursday, 8 May
Panel
17:00 – 18:30    
Palestine: A Century of Music and Struggle | Hazem Jamjoum 
Screening 
19:30 – 21:30    
“Songs of Palestine Between the Principles of Revolution and the Dream of Peace”
A documentary produced by: Al Jazeera Channel
Directed by: Bashar Hamdan
2010, 52 minutes
“A duo of lovers of Palestine singing”
A documentary produced by: Al Jazeera Documentary
Directed by: Bashar Hamdan
2008, 27 minutes
The screening is followed by a discussion with Hazem Jamjoum 

Day 4 – Friday, 9 May
Panel
17:00 – 18:30    
The Satirical Song in Algeria: History and Actuality | Abdelkader Bendamèche 
Screening 
19:30 – 21:30    
“Slimane Azem, Legend of Exile”
Directed by: Rachid Merabet
A documentary film, 2005, 52 minutes
The screening is followed by a discussion with Abdelkader Bendamèche

Day 5 – Saturday, 10 May
Panel
17:00 – 17:45    
From “Anatolian Cemetery” to Cotton Harvest: The Emancipation of Contemporary Yemen in Early Sound | Jean Lambert 
17:45 -  18:30    
Songs of Satire Beyond Geopolitical Boundaries: Conclusion and Outlook | 
Diana Abbani, Tarek Al Abdallah, Hazem Jamjoum, Abdelkader Bendemeche, Jean Lambert, Akram Rayess
Screening 
19:30 – 21:30    
Film: “Al Hal”
Directed by: Ahmed El Maanouni
Documentary, 1981, 90 minutes
The screening is followed by a discussion with the director Ahmed El Maanouni

Day 6 – Sunday, 11 May
19:30 –20:00    
End of AMAR Biennale - First Edition - Songs of Satire | AMAR closing remarks
20:00 –21:30    
Music concert concluding AMAR artist residency programme
 

For more information: Heba Hage-Felder, AMAR Biennale coordinator +961 3 364 800, [email protected]