These sessions aim to promote Arab music and culture, seeking to build bridges between diverse musical traditions. Activities will be conducted in English with simultaneous translation and will be free to attend until full capacity, with prior registration.
The program for Thursday, October 15, begins at 7:00 PM with the inaugural concert “A 300-Year Journey with the Segah,” performed by the Doha Ensemble of Classical Maqam.
Friday, October 16, starts at 10:30 AM with institutional welcomes from representatives of the Reina Sofía School of Music, Qatar Foundation, and the Qatar Music Academy. This will be followed by lectures such as “The Muwashshah Throughout History” by Dr. Mustafa Said (10:45 AM) and “Iberian Presence, Maritime Circulation, and Cultural Memory in the Gulf” by Dr. Graça Almeida Borges (NOVA University Lisbon) at 12:00 PM. At 12:50 PM, a roundtable discussion on “Historical Memory, Maritime Circulation, and Cultural Transmission” will take place, moderated by Dr. Maria Rijo, with contributions from Dr. Mustafa Said, Dr. Graça Almeida Borges, and Prof. Ana Ruiz Gutiérrez (University of Granada).
In the afternoon, at 3:00 PM, the conference-concert “Medieval Iberia, al-Andalus, and the Cantigas” will feature Eduardo Paniagua. At 3:50 PM, contemporary creation will be highlighted with a presentation of ongoing work by Daniel Cristóbal (composer, Reina Sofía School) and Ibrahim Kadar (ney soloist, Qatar Music Academy). The day concludes with a roundtable discussion at 4:45 PM on “Sources, Transmission, Interpretation, and Creation,” moderated by Dr. Maria Rijo, and the closing session at 5:30 PM, which will include a Call for Papers and the presentation of the theme for 2027.
On Saturday, October 17, from 9:30 AM to 2:00 PM, a practical workshop will be offered, open to the public, featuring instruments such as oud, ney, qanun, violin, and percussion, led by musicians from the Qatar Music Academy and the Doha Ensemble of Maqam Clásico.
Admission to all activities is free with prior registration. More information and registration details are available on the event's website.
