Ibn Rushd on tour with Al Qafila 2018 - the cultural caravan on the Journey of Life along the 'Balkan Route'
The Qafila al-Hayat sends artists and musicians from seven Arab countries on a Journey of Life to travel as a caravan in the footsteps of the men and women who fled war and destruction in their home countries in the Middle East along what became known as the Balkan Route.
And while they are experiencing their compatriots journey, these young people are on a mission: to show local audiences the rich culture that is a treasure brought by the people traveling towards a future on this most fateful journey of their lives.
As their artistic luggage, the qafilers are bringing their voices and musical instruments such as oud, kanun, violin, percussion and piano for the first part of the event Zyriab, named after the legendary musician of Andalusian times. With this sweet music still humming in their ears, listeners can proceed to be delighted by the second part of the event that's displaying other samples of Arabic arts in a cultural market named after the famous Ukaz from pre-islamic times, on which poets competed and so, together, shaped the Arabic language.
On the Ukaz of the Al Qafila, there are traditional paintings and typical wood carvings on display and available, as well as samples of Arabic Spices like Baharat, Camun, Sumak and Hal - and the famous Ma'amoul, those cookies betraying their solid looks with a smell of roses and a date filling just as heavenly - and many more things.
Al Qafila, facts of past and present:
- 35 participants from 7 Arab countries: Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine, Syria - and some from their new homes in Germany, Iceland, and Canada.
- 13 women 22 men
- 16 singers 7 oud 2 kanun 1 violin 1 piano 1 percussion
- 1 market presenting traditional arts from Arabic regions - painting - handmade jewellery - traditional herbs - wood carving - culinary arts - sweets