The Southern Theater at the Jerash Festival for Culture and Arts hosted a youth concert on Friday evening, bringing together two prominent voices from the Arab music scene. The event took place as part of the 40th edition of the Jerash Festival for Culture and Arts in Jerash, a significant cultural gathering that annually celebrates artistic expression. The concert featured Syrian artist Al-Shami and Lebanese artist Lynn Al-Hayek, both of whom delivered captivating performances to the audience.
Lynn Al-Hayek's Melodic Opening
Lebanese artist Lynn Al-Hayek opened the concert with the song "يا سعد", setting a melodic tone for the evening. Her performance was a journey through both classic and contemporary Arabic music. During her performance, Al-Hayek sang several beloved songs by the iconic Fairuz, including "سألوني الناس", "حبيتك تنسيت النوم", and "كيفك أنت", which resonated deeply with the attendees. Beyond these timeless classics, she also presented a selection of other popular tunes that showcased her versatility and vocal range. These included "ليل العاشقين", "بتمون", "أكتر", "أصابك عشق", "خلص الدمع", "توصى فيه", "ما بعرف", "كل اللي لاموني", "لو", "يا بتفكر يا بتحس", and "لون عيونك". The audience was particularly engaged by her interpretations of these well-known pieces. Additionally, Al-Hayek performed her own song, "أنت هوي", offering a glimpse into her original work. Her segment of the concert concluded with the evocative song "على بابي واقف قمرين", leaving a lasting impression on the crowd.
Al-Shami's Energetic Performance
Syrian artist Al-Shami commenced his performance with the energetic song "جيناك", immediately engaging the audience with his distinctive style. His set included several popular tracks that have drew him a wide following, such as "يا ليل ويا العين", "صبرا", "دوالي", "بتهون", "أنا بعدم", and "بي بي". These songs noted his dynamic stage presence and vocal prowess. Al-Shami further presented songs like "كيفو", "خدني", "ملكة جمال الكون", "بفديكي", and "سميتك سما" to the enthusiastic audience, each performance met with a strong reception. His selection of songs showed his ability to connect with diverse musical tastes. He concluded the concert with his song titled "دكتر", marking the energetic end of the evening's performances at the Southern Theater and concluding an memorable night of music.
Festival's Vision and Atmosphere
The 40th edition of the Jerash Festival was held under the theme "إرث يمتد… وأجيال تلتقي" (An extending heritage... And generations meeting). This theme encapsulates the festival's core mission to foster a dialogue between past and present. The Jerash Festival aims to bridge artistic heritage with new generations by offering a platform for emerging talents, thereby ensuring the continuity and evolution of artistic traditions. This approach seeks to connect the rich cultural past with contemporary artistic expressions, ensuring the continuity of artistic traditions while fostering new voices and providing young talents a vital platform to showcase their skills. The festival's framework is designed to promote interaction between established artistic forms and the innovative contributions of younger artists, creating a vibrant cultural exchange.
Artists Reflect on the Stage
The concert at the Southern Theater presented compelling performances by Syrian artist Al-Shami and Lebanese artist Lynn Al-Hayek. Both artists engaged the audience with their carefully curated musical selections during the event, drawing attendees into their respective artistic worlds. Al-Shami performed a series of his popular tracks, delivering an energetic and memorable set. Lynn Al-Hayek, in turn, delivered a rich mix of Fairuz's classic songs, other well-known tunes, and her own compositions, showcasing her versatility and deep connection to Arabic musical heritage. Their participation showed the festival's objective of connecting diverse artistic expressions with new generations, embodying the spirit of the "إرث يمتد… وأجيال تلتقي" theme. The performances were part of the 40th edition of the Jerash Festival for Culture and Arts, held in Jerash, contributing to its legacy as a premier cultural event.