The Institut du Monde Arabe (IMA) honours the Arab world’s best female singers and film actresses of the last century. From Fayrouz to Dalida, from North Africa to the Middle East, the exhibition traces the social and political history of these Arab performers, producers and artists, the cultural changes they brought about through their commitment and the birth of feminism within these patriarchal societies.
“From Oum Kalthoum to Warda al-Djazaïria, from Asmahan to Fayrouz, from Laila Mourad to Samia Gamal, via Souad Hosni and Sabah – without forgetting the very young Dalida – the exhibition is a fabulous journey into the heart of the lives and art of these legendary singers and actresses, but also an exploration of the profound changes they brought about.”
The exhibition is organized into four sections:
– The pioneering and avant-garde feminists in Cairo during the 1920’s
– Singers from the 40’s to the 70’s like Oum Kalthoum, Warda, Fayrouz and Asmahan
– the great actresses of “Nilewood”: Laila Mourad, Samia Gamal and Dalida
– and finally Arab stars seen through the eyes of contemporary artists such as Randa Mirza, Youssef Nabil and Nabil Boutros.
Originally scheduled for June 2020, the exhibition is now scheduled to run from April 7th to July 25th 2021.
The Institut du Monde Arabe, a “cultural and diplomatic tool at the service of Franco-Arab relations”
Inaugurated in November 1987, the Paris-based Institut was created by the political class of the time to “create a bridge between East and West”. Composed of representatives of all member states of the Arab League, it is financed by France and the Arab states. The Institute presents the Arab world’s different cultures through debates, conferences, concerts, and many other events.
For more information about films from the Arab world click here.
Sources: imarabe.org, vogue.fr
