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Motala Resonates with Eastern Melodies at the "Let’s Celebrate Our Diversity" Festival |
Motala, Sweden – March 30, 2025:
The Swedish city of Motala witnessed a unique cultural event on Sunday with the "Let’s Celebrate Our Diversity" Oriental Music Festival. Organized for the first time in the city by the Assyrian Monitor for Human Rights, in collaboration with the Bilda Educational Foundation, the European Union, the Swedish Ministry of Culture, and the Anna Lindh Foundation – Swedish Network, the festival brought together diverse musical traditions from the Middle East.
The event opened with a welcoming speech by Salim Abdo, the representative of the Assyrian Monitor for Human Rights in Motala, who emphasized the significance of Oriental music as a universal language that transcends borders and cultures, expressing the rich heritage and diversity of the Middle East.
The festival began with a mesmerizing performance by the Live Band, presenting their own compositions inspired by the region’s musical heritage. This was followed by a variety of artistic acts that filled the evening with joy and cultural exchange.
Renowned artist Karam Darwish captivated the audience with a selection of Jazrawi, Aleppian, and Arabic songs, while George Sado enchanted the crowd with timeless classics by Umm Kulthum, Wadih El Safi, and Melhem Barakat.
The night concluded with energetic Syriac and Assyrian dabke dances, igniting enthusiasm and engagement among the attendees.
In his closing remarks, Jamil Diarbakerli, the Executive Director of the Assyrian Monitor for Human Rights, extended his greetings to the audience on the occasion of the Babylonian-Assyrian New Year "Akitu" 6775 and Eid al-Fitr. He highlighted the unique cultural diversity of the Middle East, noting that instead of being a strength, this diversity has often been a source of suffering and persecution.
"With this festival, we sought a unifying element—something that brings us together and speaks a language we all understand. We found nothing more powerful than music, a key bridge connecting Eastern communities both in the East and the West," he stated.
To commemorate the occasion, Diarbakerli presented a special 10th-anniversary award of the Assyrian Monitor for Human Rights to the performers and musicians, acknowledging their contributions to the success of this cultural event.
The festival was warmly received by the audience, who expressed their appreciation for this unique celebration of Oriental music’s beauty and diversity.
