The concept was sound: two heavyweights of Euro-Arab music, Maria Del Mar Bonet of Spain and Egypt’s favorite son, Mohamed Mounir, collaborating on stage in the name of intercultural dialogue.
In a show of unity between three of the region’s biggest players in cultural development (the European Commission, Arab League and Anna Lindh Foundation), an audience would witness first hand a celebration of diversity and exchange by two artists at opposite ends of the Mediterranean yet united in cultural dialogue. Two identities, one cause, was the message.
Yet as the people filed away having witnessed a rare and powerful performance, it became apparent that there was a vital ingredient missing in this example of exchange: people; not ministers or diplomats, VIPs or media that seemed to form the majority of the audience, but the very same people who, if intercultural dialogue is to be achieved, must be engaged and targeted.
By excluding them from what was a moving and powerful display, the event missed out on demonstrating to the public the power of culture and music in transcending borders. If the event was, as EC Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner announced, “dedicated to the people of Gaza,’ it was represented by the very elite strata of the Egyptian public.
Yet to dwell on this would take away from the music which was, despite some early technical difficulties, exceptional. Maria Del Mar Bonet and her ensemble, all suavely dressed in black, demonstrated why this voice is so revered around the world. As the microphone was being repaired, Maria gave an impromptu repertoire; delighting the audience in Catalan and sparing the sound technician’s blushes before returning back to her set that included the well-known pieces “Jota Marinera and “Cami florit.
As she was joined by the Sham Ensemble from Syria, a more oriental style was introduced including one Armenian song and the wholly appropriate “From Majorca to Algeria, interspersed with some individual solos from the excellent supporting musicians. By not allowing a public audience, the organizer’s did a great disservice to resident music lovers who were deprived the opportunity to see one of Europe’s best musical talents perform on Egyptian soil.
Perhaps it was the dim lighting or perhaps is was the amount of vacant chairs, but when Mounir emerged for the second half of the show, it was not to the thunderous applause on the scale to which he is used to. Mounir himself must have wondered how many of the audience had come to see him and how many were simply putting in an appearance as he belted out one hit after another.
His set, in wonderful contrast to Maria’s, both in style and color, was notably shorter, no doubt down to the lack of energy given off by the audience – something you imagine a hugely popular artist like Mounir thrives on. As an ambassador for promoting the power of music, Mounir and his band appeared perplexed at the lack of public participation, sacrificed for the sake of high level political visibility.
The highlight of the event, and an utter mystery as to why it was performed at the end of the evening, saw Mounir and Maria Del Mar Bonet singing together, or rather to each other. Stripped down, raw and extremely powerful the last 15 minutes were a testament to their musical abilities and dedication to global music. It was the culmination of a musical collaboration that had started back in November 2008 and highlighted what music, and culture in general can achieve, where many other approaches fail.
As the two artists exchanged prose centre stage, she in Catalan and he in Arabic, the audience saw a real and beautiful example of cultural dialogue. It was just such a shame no one else was given the chance.
