Montpellier, France – The Arabesques festival launched Tuesday with a vibrant tribute to Oum Kalthoum, the legendary Egyptian singer, at the Opéra Comédie. A second evening dedicated to the star of the East unfolds this Wednesday, reimagining her musical legacy through dance.
Fifty years after her death, Oum Kalthoum’s influence continues to resonate across the Arab world and beyond. The Arabesques festival is spotlighting her enduring impact with two performances, beginning with singer Dorsaf Hamdani’s concert and culminating in a unique choreography by Nesma.This wednesday’s performance, titled Enta Omri (“You are my life”), seeks to capture the emotional core of Oum Kalthoum’s music-the Tarab, a state of musical ecstasy-through movement rather than song.
Spanish choreographer Nesma, a leading figure in oriental and neo-Andalusian dance, has designed the show with twelve dancers. Rather than a biographical retelling, Enta Omri aims for a sensory experience, translating the spirit of Oum Kalthoum’s timeless heritage into a “dance speech,” where each gesture and pause connects with the audience. As the festival program notes, Oum Kalthoum was “the supreme incarnation” of Tarab.
The performance is scheduled for 8 p.m. at the opéra Comédie, Place de la Comédie, Montpellier. Tickets range from 18 to 29 euros and are available at http://festivalarabesques.fr.
