Festival Creative Music Lab III – Women in Oriental Music

Many musical traditions of the Middle East have been transmitted for centuries through oral culture. Within these, singers play a crucial role in preserving and passing on melodies, poetry, and musical knowledge.

At the same time, contemporary musicians reinterpret these traditions in new contexts, connecting them with modern musical languages and global artistic influences.

The program brings together singers, composers, and instrumentalists, exploring the relationship between musical heritage and contemporary artistic expression.

The festival features Basma Jabr Quartet, Mirna Kassis Trio, DJ İpek İpekçioğlu, Samin Ghorbani with Rembrandt Frerichs, Meral Polat Quartet, Levant Echo Trio, Rima Khcheich Trio, and Kamilya Jubran.

The closing concert presents Amel Sdiri, Hamsa Mounif, and Lana Oudeh, accompanied by Tarek Yamani Trio, Kinan Abuakel, and percussionist Elias Abboud.

PROGRAM

7.5.2026 – Opening Concert

The opening concert brings together the Basma Jabr Quartet, the Mirna Kassis Trio and DJ İpek İpekçioğlu, combining three distinct musical perspectives to create an evening of musical encounters, tradition and contemporary creativity.

• Basma Jabr Quartet
• Mirna Kassis Trio
• DJ İpek İpekçioğlu

8.5.2026 - Samin Ghorbani & Rembrandt Frerichs

The second evening of the festival unfolds with a panel discussion on the topic of ‘Women, Music and Society in Iran and Syria’, followed by a live performance by Samin Ghorbani & Rembrandt Frerichs – a special collaboration between two distinctive musical figures.

Panel Discussion

Women, Music and Society in Iran and Syria With: Kefah Ali Deeb, Yalda Yazdani und Samin Ghorbani

Concert

Samin Ghorbani & Rembrandt Frerichs

9.5.2026 - Meral Polat Quartet

The Meral Polat Quartet is a dynamic musical project rooted in Kurdish tradition whilst exploring contemporary forms of expression.

• Meral Polat Quartet

14.5.2026 - Rima Khcheich | Levant Echo Trio

Two outstanding ensembles explore the depth and evolution of Arab and Levantine musical traditions:Levant Echo TrioRima Khcheich Trio1

5.5.2026 - Kamilya Jubran | Werner Hasler

The Palestinian singer, composer and oud player Kamilya Jubran is regarded as one of the most influential voices in contemporary experimental Arabic music. Together with the Swiss trumpeter and electronic musician Werner Hasler, she creates an intimate and experimental musical encounter at the intersection of poetry, sound and musical experimentation.

Followed by a film screening of The Visual Feminist Manifesto.Kamilya Jubran

16.5.2026 – Voices of a New Generation (Closing Concert)

Amel Sdiri, Hamsa Mounif, Lana Oudeh:

Three emerging vocalists with distinct artistic approaches, accompanied by the Tarek Yamani Trio. Together, they create a vibrant musical space where voice, improvisation and instrumental dialogue come together.

• Amel Sdiri
• Hamsa Mounif
• Lana Oudeh
• Tarek Yamani