ريفلكت:فيست
بيت لحم
REFLECT:fest
BETHLEHEM
:about
REFLECT:fest is a festival that builds meaningful connections between promising young artists and diverse audiences in an inspiring new environment and brings together Eastern and Western, early and contemporary music.
The idea for a music festival was born after several previous projects in the past, started by Dominique Chabot and later joined by Salome Ryser. The most recent project was a pilot version of a festival in the fall of 2018.
A year earlier they created the Folkwang International Ensemble to make a concert tour in Palestine with concerts in five different cities.
More information about these past projects can be found on the website of the Folkwang International Ensemble.
:programme
Day 1
Haitham & Friends
Anouar Brahem
The Astounding Eyes of Rita
Umm Kulthum
Enta Omri
Umm Kulthum
Alf Leyla
Umm Kulthum
Ana fi Intzarak
Takasim Hijaz
Misirlou/improv
Fairuz
Kan el Zaman, Akher Ayam, Sahar el Layaly
Day 2
New Music Instrumentalists
György Kurtág
Signs, Games and Messages
Maurizio Kagel
Aus dem Nachlass
Peteris Vasks
Tris Skatieni
Day 3
Europa Danzante
H.I.F Biber
Rosary Sonatas
Day 4
Amwaj & REFLECT:orchestra
Lydia Adams
Mi’kmaq Honour Song
Julia Boutros
Ya Osas
Jean-Baptiste Clément
Les temps des Cerises
Marcel Khalife
Asfur
Faya
Ohebbou Yadayka
Dalida
Helwa Ya Baladi
Gabriel Fauré
Les Berceaux
Benjamin Britten
Old Abram Brown
Arvo Pärt
Cantus in Memoriam
Traditional
Livet
Resolution Song
World on our Shoulder
:venues
Information coming soon!
:artists
Haitham & Friends
Haitham Daoud, born in 1992 in Jerusalem is a young musician from Dheisheh. He studied music therapy for children and people with a disability. As an oud player, Haitham has work at several international organizations such as “Sounds of Palestine” and “l’Arche” and has played in different music groups. He most recently worked together with “Amwaj” children’s choir from Hebron and Bethlehem. Haitham currently lives in France and works at the Philharmonie of Paris.
At REFLECT:fest, Haitham will perform together with clarinettist Moussa Sh’ebat, percussionist Khader Jaraiseh and qanoun player Saif Hammash.
Europa Danzante
Founded by a group of dynamic and enterprising young musicians and dancers in 2017 in Germany, Europa Danzante is an ensemble based on the concept of exploring the relation between early music and early and contemporary dance, as well as the bond between musicians and dancers. The main musical focus of their programs is the music of the French court of Louis XIV of the 17th and 18th centuries. The choreographies are created by the ensemble’s leader, violinist and dancer Yves Ytier.
New Music Instrumentalists
Coming together especially for REFLECT:fest, violinist Joosten Ellée, violist Anna Maria Wünsch, cellist Nathan Watts and double bassist Dominique Chabot have each dedicated (part of) their musical path to playing contemporary music.
The four musicians, coming from Germany, the United States and the Netherlands, have met occasionally in the past, but will be performing together for the first time in Bethlehem.
Amwaj
Amwaj is an educational program for children aged 7-17, based on choir singing. Established in 2015, the choir now comprises 60 children from Hebron and the area of Bethlehem.
They weekly attend up to eight hours of courses, including choir singing, vocal technique, foreign languages, solfège, music theory, conducting, introduction to piano and percussion, drama, yoga and more.
Thanks to Amwaj’s inclusive social vision, as well as to its focus on cultural exchanges and intercultural dialogue, the children have access to a vast music repertoire and extensive artistic partnerships. The choir regularly performs with renowned Palestinians artists, like Naj Barghouti, as well as international artists and ensemble like Amandine Beyer and the Chœur d’Enfants de l’orchestra de Paris.
REFLECT:
orchestra
The REFLECT:orchestra is the home ensemble of the festival. The orchestra is made up of local musicians and the international guest musicians taking part in the festival.
The goal of the festival orchestra is to give all participants a chance to perform together, as well as to create a supportive environment within the festival. The orchestra plays without conductor, in order to stimulate a sense of freedom and a better feeling of playing together between the musicians.
:news
Unforunately REFLECT:fest 2020 has been cancelled due to Coronavirus. Follow us on Facebook for the latest news.
:sponsors & partners
REFLECT:fest is generously sponsored by the Arab Fund for Arts and Culture.
REFLECT:fest works closely together with Palestine Philharmonie and The Wonder Cabinet.
