Sharjah:The 2020 season of Al Majaz Amphitheatre’s #letsmajaz witnessed a spellbinding pair
of performances by Marcel Khalife and Souad Massi. The two musical stalwarts from
Lebanon and Algeria, respectively, swept the enthusiastic crowds off their feet with a
live performance packed with the region’s musical heart and soul.

The concert marked the 79th birth anniversary of award-winning poet and author,
Mahmoud Darwish, who was famously hailed as Palestine’s national poet.

Algerian singer-songwriter, Massi, delivered her first Sharjah concert on Friday 13 th
March 2020. She opened with the song ‘Oumniya’ from her eponymous new album,
which was released last November. Her eloquence and uncompromising flair in dealing
with themes of love and betrayal were lapped by fans as she presented new renditions
of her songs, ‘Hayati’ followed by ‘Deb’. Souad picked up rhythm and tempo in the song
‘Kol Youm’, which she furthered singing ‘Pays Natale’ in French, touching listeners with
the song’s literary and social discourse of pain and exile.

Massi continued to enthrall her fans audience with a repertoire of Algerian folk songs
like ‘Talat Ala Al Beer’ and ‘Theghri’ – a call for unity in the Berber language. Penned by
Souad’s mother, this was the first time in 17 years since “Theghri” was released in her
album Deb, that she performed it live. Massi also performed ‘Ýa Kalbi’, followed by ‘Dar
DJiddi’ dedicated to her grandfather, before going on to ‘Salam’, which she sang in
Egyptian dialect, and followed it with ‘Nwaseek Ya Kalbi’. The Arab rock stalwart and

her band led by Rabeh Khalifa brought the audience to their feet with her final
performance of the evening, ‘Ya Raoui’.

Massi and her band thanked the Al Majaz Amphitheatre management for offering her a
world-class platform in Sharjah to connect with her UAE and Arab fans and for the
opportunity to popularise Algerian folklore and musical heritage.

Marcel Khalife opens performance with an ode to his friend, the late Mahmoud Darwish
The Lebanese Oud maestro returned to the Al Majaz Amphitheatre stage on Friday 13 th
March 2020, after four years, starting his set with ‘Oumi Tla3i 3al Bal’ – originally a
poem by renowned Lebanese poet Talal Haydar, and then a rich tribute to his friend, the
late Darwish, by describing how his works had a strong influence in shaping Khalifa’s
musical career.

Marcel’s homage to Darwish continued with a soulful rendition of his hit patriotic song
‘Rital Wal Bunduqiya’, which is based on one of works of the late poet. The legendary
singer continued to be cheered on by his audience with other patriotic numbers
including ‘Montasib Al Kamati Amshi’ – a poem by the late Palestinian poet Samih Al
Qassim, which embodies the Palestinian spirit of fighting oppression with dignity while
longing for peace.
Hailed as the ‘Dylan of the Middle East’, Khalife was quick to change the mood in the
amphitheatre from patriotism to romance, with ‘Tango for My Lover’s Eyes’. The artistic
quality of the evening reached for the skies next as Souad took to stage to recite
Darwish’s poem ‘Ajmal Hob’ in her evocative voice, which was accompanied by
Marcel’s masterful oud playing. The audiences were rapt.

The spectacular evening continued with Marcel performing Talal Haydar’s masterpiece
‘Rakwet 3arab’, and reached its emotional climax as Marcel’s son, Rami Khalife,
performed a tribute for his country ‘Requiem for Beirut’. Up next was an all-Marcel
performance – Mahmoud Darwish’s most celebrated poem ‘Ahinnu ila Khubz Ummi’ –
played out on the legend’s oud and sung in his soul stirring voice. Khalife was seen

wrapping up a memorable evening of classical tunes with the Lebanese politician
Maarouf Saad’s masterpiece, ‘Ya Bahriyyeh’.

Khalife ended the night by expressing his delight in returning to Sharjah and the Al
Majaz Amphitheatre and performing once again for his fans.

Al Majaz Amphitheatre has emerged as the UAE’s popular cultural and entertainment
destination, hosting world-class cultural events and concerts featuring internationally
acclaimed artists and superstars from across the Arab world and around the globe. The
theatre is accessible to people of determination and there are suitable parking spaces.
The iconic cultural destination has a highly qualified team trained to assist and escort
them to their seats.