For two days, the passageway at the Neuköllner Oper Berlin will become Neukölln’s open-air living room – hosting a celebration centered on the musical and cultural legacy of the Egyptian singer and icon Oum Kulthum. Known as “Egypt’s fourth pyramid,” she has shaped generations of people throughout the Arab world.

‎‎

Amid live music, listening sessions, and moderated discussions, visitors are invited to bring their own records, cassettes, CDs, or digital files, as well as items they personally associate with Oum Kulthum. Together, we’ll listen, reminisce, and discuss – on personal, political, and musical levels. Seated on Monobloc chairs, in front of wax tablecloths, with drinks from the Späti, food they’ve brought along, and German-Arabic interpretation, a communal atmosphere takes shape: a celebration by and for neighbors, initiatives, associations, Oum Kulthum fans, and artists.

‎‎

Further information here .

‎‎

As part of the festival program, we’ll be screening Shirin Neshat’s LOOKING FOR OUM KULTHUM.