A musical evening imbued with the essence of classical Arabic
The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) in Dhahran will host the opening night of the "Singing in Classical Arabic" initiative tonight, featuring a highly anticipated concert by the legendary Arab singer, Kadim Al Sahir. This two-night event is a significant cultural milestone, aiming to revive the brilliance of sung Arabic poetry and offer a unique artistic experience to audiences in the Eastern Province and lovers of authentic art throughout the Kingdom.
Kadim Al Sahir, known as the "Caesar of Arabic Song," will present a selection of his most celebrated works sung in classical Arabic, songs that have marked milestones in his decades-long career. His repertoire is expected to include timeless classics such as "Zidini Ishqan" (Increase My Love), "Madrasat Al Hob" (School of Love), and "Inni Khayartak Fakhtari" (I Gave You the Choice, So Choose), all poems by the renowned poet Nizar Qabbani, with whom Al Sahir's name became synonymous, forming a unique duo that restored classical Arabic poetry to its rightful place in contemporary Arabic song.
Historical background and cultural significance
This event is inseparable from the artistic journey of Kadim Al Sahir, who built a significant part of his stardom on his exceptional ability to compose and perform complex classical Arabic poems, presenting them to the public in an emotional and moving manner. Al Sahir has succeeded in breaking down the barrier between elite poetry and the average listener, making him the ideal choice to launch an initiative of this scale and importance. The “Singing in Classical Arabic” initiative, organized by the Music Commission in collaboration with Ithra and Benchmark, comes as part of a broader cultural strategy adopted by the Kingdom, aimed at strengthening Arab identity and celebrating the beauty of the Arabic language. The initiative seeks to revive this refined musical genre and encourage artists, especially the new generation, to incorporate it into their artistic works.
Supporting young talent and the event's impact
The evening will not only feature the legendary singer Kadim Al Sahir, but will also showcase a distinguished Saudi presence through the young talents Bader Hakim and Najd, who will present special musical performances. This support for local talent reflects the initiative's commitment to empowering young Saudi voices and giving them the opportunity to perform on major stages alongside prominent Arab artists, thus enriching the local art scene. Regionally and locally, this event reaffirms the Kingdom's leading role as a destination for culture and the arts in the region and reinforces Ithra's position as a global cultural beacon. The two-night concert is expected to attract a large audience of Kadim Al Sahir fans and lovers of poetry and refined music, leaving a positive impact that strengthens the audience's connection to their linguistic and cultural heritage.
