Dear friends of the Museum for Islamic Art,

The Board of the Friends of the Museum for Islamic Art in the Pergamonmuseum e.V. and the Museum for Islamic Art cordially invite you to a special musical evening:

‘Breaths from Aleppo - A Musical Journey Through Aleppo's Oral Heritage’
with the music group Nawa Band
James-Simon-Galerie, Museumsinsel Berlin
Bodestraße, 10178 Berlin
Tuesday, 25 November 2025
Start: 19:00 (admission from 18:30)

The concert is dedicated to the rich oral music tradition of Aleppo - a city known for centuries for its deeply rooted classical forms and vibrant cultural history.

The evening presents traditional genres such as muwashahat, qudud halabiya and classical ashghal, which paint an impressive sonic picture of Aleppo's centuries-old musical heritage. The works combine spirituality, poetry and musicality in a unique way and take the audience on a journey through over 500 years of musical memory.

Under the artistic direction of Ibrahim Muslimani, one of the leading experts on Arabic and especially Syrian musical traditions, the musicians combine traditional forms with new arrangements - a bridge between past and present.

Participating musicians:

Ibrahim Muslimani - percussion and vocals
Martin Stokes - Qanun
Derya Türkan - Kemençe
Ahmad Al Khatib - Oud
Mustafa Büyükipekçi - Ney
Abeer Albatal - vocals

As part of the concert, Ibrahim Muslimani and Prof Martin Stokes from King's College London will provide insights into Aleppo's musical heritage and explain the special features of the Muwashshah tradition and the rhythmic cycles (Iqaʿāt and Samāh) of this musical form.

The evening is not only a musical experience, but also a tribute to the cultural continuity, the oral tradition and the lively vitality of Arabic classical music.

We look forward to sharing this special evening with you!

Admission free. Registration is required by 18 November 2025 at isl@smb.museum