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Arab Arts Scene hit by Iraq-Palestine Crisis

ABU DHABI — The war and ongoing crisis in Palestine and Iraq has left a negative impact on the Arab arts scene, according to a prominent Arab singer.

“The crisis has led to the deterioration of the people’s ability to enjoy entertainment as well as affected artistic creativity,” the diva Warda Al Jazaeria told reporters at the Cultural Foundation recently.

She explained that the fans no longer have the patience to listen to long songs. Therefore, video clips and short songs are dominating the entertainment arena compared with what was common 40 years ago.

Born in Paris, she began her singing career at the age of 11. In 1958, along with her family, she moved to Beirut, where she met Arab-Egyptian singer Mohammed Abdel Wahab and began her full-fledged stage career.

In 1959, she met the Egyptian composer Riad Alsonbati in Cairo who composed songs for a large number of her hits.

Abdullah Qubaisi, director of communication in the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage, said that the Authority is hosting concerts of high-profile singers on the last Thursday of every month to revive and honour the original and long history of Arab music and art.

This, he said, was part of UAE’s strategy to preserve Arab artistic heritage.

adel@khaleejtimes.com