Classical and Jazz: Preview - A Night in Tahrir Square at the Barbican on Friday 22 July
IT was the biggest party in Egypt’s history. Between January 25 and February 11, the people turned Cairo’s Tahrir Square into a cross between Woodstock and a giant soapbox.
Music and poetry played a crucial role in melting the fear bred by decades of tyranny.
Artists who helped to create the soundtrack of Egypt’s revolution are performing at a Barbican celebration concert A Night in Tahrir Square tomorrow (Friday).
Singer-songwriter Ramy Essam (right) joined the protesters with his guitar as soon as the uprising started, becoming “the Billy Bragg of Tahrir Square,” performing countless times a day on makeshift stages. His song Irhal (“Leave”) became the anthem of the revolt and a huge hit on the internet and he’ll be leading the audience in singing the song at the concert.
Other performers include Egypt’s most famous street music ensemble El Tanbura; singer and oud (Arabic lute) virtuoso Mustafa Said; and Egyptian leftist activist and singer Azza Balba.
Published: 21 July, 2011
by SEBASTIAN TAYLOR