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Damascus

Duration:
1 hour
First broadcast:
Saturday 05 February 2005

Branded by the USA as a ‘rogue state’, yet possessing one of the world’s oldest and richest cultures, Syria is little understood as a nation.

In the first of a two-part feature, Samir Farah of the BBC Arabic Service visits Syria’s capital Damascus to explore the character of the country and its people through its music.

Music and featured items

20 items
Timings (where shown) are from the start of the programme in hours and minutes

  • Ruwayda Attieh

    Sam Farah travels from Lebanon to Damascus

  • Music Played

    • Ruwayda Attieh Min Nazra

      Min Nazra, Al Shams/MBI CD225, 4

  • The 'Superstar' competition

    Ruwayda Attieh and the 'Tarab' tradition

  • Music Played

    • Ruwayda Attieh Teebti Mak

      Min Nazra, Al Shams/MBI CD225, 2

  • Traditional Tarab and the younger audience

    A modern take on traditional Syrian music.

  • Music Played

    • Ruwayda Attieh Aamin el lom

      Min Nazra, Al Shams/MBI CD225, 6

  • Kulna Saw in Damascus

    The struggles of being a musician in Syria

  • Music Played

    • Image for Kulna Sawa

      Kulna Sawa Um al shaheed

      Musaique, EMI Music Arabia 07243 5949162, 8

  • Ali Al Dik

    Syrian artists and political issues

  • Music Played

    • Ali Dik Alouche

      Super Star 2004, Future Records, no number, 2

  • An interview with Ali Al Dik

    One of Syria's biggest stars.

  • Music Played

    • Ali Al Dik Back to the Harvest

      Super Star 2004, Future Records, no number, 1

  • The Syrian music style and Tarab

    Ali Al Dik

  • Music Played

    • Ali Al Dik Alouche

      Super Star 2004, Future Records, no number, 2

  • Aramaic

    With singer Adraus Taira.

  • Music Played

    • Adraus Taira and Samir Hillel Trad: Aramaic love song

      BBC recording on location

  • Zajal - traditional improvised poetry and song

    Adraus Taira and Samir Hillel tell Sam about the art of Zajal

  • Music Played

    • Adraus Taira and Samir Hillel Trad: Del'ouna

      BBC recording on location

  • Zajal

    In the Syrian village of Malula

  • Music Played

    • Adraus Taira and Samir Hillel Trad: improvised zajal (poetry)

      BBC recording on location

Broadcasts

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