The International Oud Festival
Jerusalem
4 days – November 26-29 2010
The oud (Arabic lute) is to Middle Eastern music what the guitar is to Western music - and, in the context of this festival, something of a unifying force between cultures. Jerusalem is, after all a city sacred to Jews, Muslims and Christians and this ambitious festival - running since 2000 - has brought together musicians and audiences from very diverse backgrounds.
Israeli oud player Yair Dala l - from a distinguished family of Iraqi musicians - is a regular visitor and the festival often includes players from Jewish, Arabic, Bedouin, Turkish, Armenian and many other backgrounds. Although it’s called the Oud Festival, it is not exclusively oud music. It includes popular Jewish and Arabic music, other Middle-Eastern styles from traditional to fusion, from love songs to sacred and Sufi music. With concerts in the evening, the festival forms the perfect cultural background for exploring Jerusalem during the day.
It hardly needs saying that Jerusalem is one of the most fascinating cities on earth, whether you are interested in history, religion or contemporary politics - it’s all here in abundance. The three holy sites - the Wailing Wall, the Dome of the Rock and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre are just the beginning, and it takes time to discover it all. You’ll get to know Jerusalem by day and hear some great music, which will also inform the experience, by night.
Included in the tour are tickets for three performances over the weekend as part of the festival; three nights’ accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis, a city tour of Jerusalem with English speaking guide, a private coach for transfers to events during the evening and the services of your Songlines Travel Leader.
Jerusalem Itinerary
Day 1
Our tour begins in the ancient city of Jerusalem where we will be meeting with our Travel Leader to discuss the weekend’s plans before enjoying our first concert in the evening. The Oud Festival has been growing every year since it started in 2000 and now ranks as one of the top events in world music in the Middle East attracting some of the finest musicians from all over the globe..
Day 2
We’ll spend the morning exploring the old city of Jerusalem with its fascinating millennia of controversial history. There are few other places in the world that inspire such devotion in its Jewish, Christian and Muslim visitors. In the afternoon you can follow the Via Dolorosa, the way of the cross or perhaps visit the Holy Sepulchre, the site according to the New Testament where Jesus’ body was lain after crucifixion. Generally in Jerusalem, it’s the centuries of devotion that these places have attracted that is more impressive than their historical authenticity. In the evening we’ll be meeting up to sample one of the concerts with our Travel Leader to ensure we get the most out of the music.
Day 3
Today has been deliberately left free to enjoy some time in the city whether that be at the Dome on the Rock, the Islamic museum, the Wailing wall and the old Jewish & Armenian quarters or perhaps scaling the Mount of Olives with its amazing views across the city. For the more adventurous, a day trip to the Dead Sea to sample the healing properties of the mineral laden waters or a cable car ride to the top of Mount Masada can be arranged. Alternatively you might prefer to find a café to sip mint tea and watch the world go by. In the evening we enjoy our final concert together.
Day 4
After breakfast the tour ends. You head to the airport to return home or continue your travels in Israel and Palestine.
Pricing Details
Tour price (excl. flights) £399 per person
Flights departing London from £315 per person
For information and reservations, call Songlines Music Travel on 020 8505 2582
