Katara’s musical journey continues with the Oud

More than 80 artistes from various countries, including six bands and 18individual performers, will perform at the second annual Oud Festivalat Katara – the Cultural Village from April 5 to 8, it was announced.Oud players and bands from Qatar, Kuwait, Spain, Turkey, Azerbaijan,Iran, Armenia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Iraq, Japan, Greece, Oman, Morocco,Syria, and Tunisia are set to captivate the audience with dailyperformances at Katara’s Opera House from 8pm.“The success of the first edition is why we are now hosting the secondedition of the festival. We continue our journey with this musicalinstrument, the Oud,” Katara general manager Dr Khalid bin Ibrahimal-Sulaiti said in a statement. “This year’s chosen theme is therenowned Islamic philosopher Abu Nasr al-Farabi (the Second Master).”The Festival, under the theme Al Farabi the Second Master, will see Oudmaestros from across the globe enchanting the audience at Katara forfour days, with a mix of the East and the West in Oud tradition.“We will again celebrate the Oriental musical instrument that hascaptivated people, which goes hand in hand with art and creativity, theOud,” Dr al-Sulaiti noted. “The melodic rhythm of the Oud is enjoyed andrevered in the East and the West.”Al-Farabi, a connecting link between different cultures across theMuslim world, has important contributions to culture, philosophy andmusic.Katara’s first Oud festival in March last year was dedicated to Ziryab, the legendary musician of the Arab and Islamic world.“This time we chose al-Farabi because Katara believes music connectspeople. The tunes, the rhythm and the strings have a magical effect,” Dral-Sulaiti said.A film on al-Farabi will be screened on April 5 (opening) followed by performances by a Turkish band dedicated to al-Farabi.Daily performances by Indonesian bands and musicians at the Al Farabi theatre will take place from 4pm to 6pm.Oud makers from across the globe will display their skills and craftsmanship on the sidelines of the festival.Kiosks of Oud makers from Turkey, Iran, Kuwait, Greece, and Iraq willturn Al Masrah street, near the Katara Amphitheatre, into a hub for Oudfans and professionals.Nine renowned Oud makers are expected to participate in the festival.In addition, the festival, which will feature lectures and forums on Oudmaking, concludes with a musical show dedicated to al-Farabi.