Umm Al Funun - A Homage to Umm Kulthum

Umm Kulthum: The Mother of Music

The death of the legendary Egyptian singer Umm Kulthum on February 3, 1975 was a profound moment for millions of people around the world, including in Amsterdam. It was as if the world stood still for a moment. People took to the streets worldwide to express their grief with song and tears. The mother of music was no more.

Symbol

The music of the Egyptian singer Umm Kulthum is anchored in generations of the Arab and Moroccan community. Umm Kulthum symbolizes the migration and emancipation of the first generation of Moroccans and other Arab peoples in the Netherlands. Her music gave support and offered perspective. She sings about life in all its facets and does not hesitate to poetically name difficult issues in the world. Umm Kulthum thus became a symbol of a generation, a 'mother of music'.

Theatrical tribute

At the initiative of Moroccan-Dutch businesswoman Rahma El Mouden, Het Concertgebouw is organising the project Umm Al Funun , which means 'mother of music'. A theatrical tribute to the work and life of Umm Kulthum. Singers Nai Barghouti and Ghalia Benali will be on stage in the Grote Zaal together with Amsterdam Sinfonietta and Arabic musicians. Writer, presenter and director Abdelkader Benali will frame the evening with texts and short stories about the work and life of Umm Kulthum. In this way, the path of emancipation and integration of the first Moroccans and other Arab Dutch people since the early 1970s is outlined and the role that the music, inspiration and life of Umm Kulthum have played on that path.

Afterwards there will be an opportunity to meet each other and exchange memories.