This event includes talks, discussions, exhibitions and walks about architecture, visual arts, performance, literature and, of course, music. With the concert entitled A Musical Revolution into the Arab World being the opening event of the three weeks, Shubbak started with a strong, piercing and soulful bang.

The concert was made up of three individuals coming together for the first time in Europe: Zeid Hamdan, Maryam Saleh and Tamer Abu Ghazaleh, from Beirut, Cairo and Ramallah, respectively. They each have a distinct style, but their unified performance presented a neat mishmash of traditional sounds, electronic mixes and expressive vocals. 

Echoing the state of affairs ripping through the Arab world right now, the first lyrics that bellowed across the small amphitheater facing London’s iconic Tower Bridge were, “the nation demands the fall of the regime.” Setting the tone of what is to come, the audience, made up of families, professionals and tourists, listened to three young, distinct and culturally fused musicians.  The electric oud blended in with trip-hop undertones; live vocals with remixes and repetitions; they represented a particular side of the Arab youth, proud and voluble standing somewhere between being indigenous and globally influenced.

In Hamdan’s opening greeting to the audience, he announced his hope for freedom “for all oppressed people and not only in the Arab countries, but in the US, Europe and the rest of the world.” 

With that note, the three performers clued us in to the other side of Shubbak: The organically organized events that will be popping up as a result of the congregation of artists in London. Wednesday night, the three will perform again. Their next concert, entitled Sing for Syria, will be a charity fundraiser for Syrian refugees in Turkey just in time for the beginning of Ramadan.

In the coming weeks, Shubbak will present a lot of discussion on the influence of the current political climate on culture, artistic production and even urban development. Also to be highlighted is the UK’s historical relationship with the Arab region and a peak at how emerging global interaction is influencing culture. 

The Shubbak Festival takes place July 4-24 in different venues across London. It will represent work from many countries including: Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Libya.