Young Saudi artist Najd expressed her immense joy at participating in the "Singing in Classical Arabic" evenings, describing them as a pivotal and significant milestone in her artistic career. She emphasized that the audience's enthusiastic response "captured her heart" and gave her great motivation for the future. This came at the conclusion of her performance in the closing evening of the festival, organized by the Music Authority in collaboration with the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) and presented by Benchmark.
Najd said in her remarks, “I am very happy to participate in this festival, the Classical Arabic Singing Festival, which celebrates our Arabic language and culture. The audience's presence and interest in this type of singing makes me very happy.” She added that this participation represents an unforgettable milestone for her, giving her the motivation to continue working on artistic projects that hold high linguistic and cultural value.
Rich cultural and historical context
The “Singing in Classical Arabic” festival is part of a broader cultural movement in Saudi Arabia aimed at reviving authentic Arab heritage and celebrating the beauty of the Arabic language. Classical Arabic poetry has long formed the backbone of classical Arabic song during its golden age, sung by giants of the art such as Umm Kulthum, Abdel Halim Hafez, and Fairuz, and continuing to contemporary artists like Kadim Al Saher, who have preserved this refined art form. The festival aims to restore the brilliance of classical Arabic singing and present it to the new generation in modern musical forms, serving as a bridge between the authenticity of the past and the creativity of the present.
The importance of the event and its expected impact
The festival's local significance lies in its role as an exceptional platform for young Saudi talents like Najd, providing them with an opportunity to showcase their vocal and artistic abilities in a highly skilled genre of music. In this context, Najd expressed her gratitude, saying, "All thanks to the Ministry of Culture and the Music Commission in particular for their support of young talents. This support means a great deal to us, and we are extremely grateful." This support reflects the strategic direction of Saudi Vision 2030 in empowering the culture and arts sector. Regionally, the festival contributes to strengthening the Kingdom's position as a leading cultural center in the Arab world, embracing high-quality arts and working to preserve shared linguistic identity.
The audience's reaction and the secret behind Majida El Roumi's song
Regarding the song that resonated most deeply with the audience, Najd explained that her choice of a song by the legendary artist Majida El Roumi was a deliberate decision. She said, “Today I performed several songs in classical Arabic, and the song that moved the audience the most was written by the great Majida El Roumi. The audience's reaction to it was wonderful because it's a well-known and beloved song. After performing my own songs, I felt that including a familiar song would capture their attention and give them a personal connection.” This astute choice demonstrates the young artist's understanding of her audience and her ability to build a bridge of emotional connection through shared musical memory.
