(c) Maria Baranova
Music Mon 12 Dec 2022 20:00

Halaqat open jam

(c) Maria Baranova

time schedule

  • 19:30 doors
  • 20:00 opening set
  • 20:30 open jam

halaqat - exploring cultural links between Europe and the Arab world

Europe and the Arab world are two rapidly changing regions, each with specific and varied local social, economic and political realities, but above all with many connections, historical and present. Building on these connections, the Goethe-Institut and Bozar are launching the project HalaqatHalaqat – which in Arabic means multiple links and circles – aims to strengthen these entanglements and build bridges between both regions.

Diverse voices of emerging and renowned artists, cultural actors and experts are brought together to approach a number of themes from their own perspective. Going beyond the idea of a simple invitation, Halaqat aims to stimulate the artists from both regions to create art together.

A festival in the autumn of 2022 will conclude this inspiring Halaqat project. We invite you to join us at events at Bozar and all over Brussels: from public discussions, film screenings, over concerts and performances, to visual arts exhibitions.

open jam

Amir ElSaffar, leader
Kholoud Adal Saleh, vocals (tbc)
Roxanna Albayati, cello and ghaychak
Ghaeth Almaghoot, clarinet
Sinan Arat, ney
Hamdi Jammousi, percussion
Victoria Kirilova Dodova, bass
Simon Leleux, percussion
Yamen Martini, trumpet
Jon Sensmeier, saxophone
Elyse Tabet, electronics
Eirini Zogali, bouzouki, oud 
Abo Gabi, vocals
Islem Jemai, oud and vocals​

What happens when you put together an international band with musicians from different European and Arab countries? Halaqat Impro Orchestra is the final chord of an intense exchange between musicians who met only five days before. They were selected from more than 100 applications through a call to bring together musicians from Europe and the Arab world.

In the days leading up to the concert, they will experiment, co-create and exchange ideas in Werkplaats Walter, the pre-eminent place for experimental and avant-garde music.
Amir ElSaffar will guide the band during a residency. The American composer, trumpeter, santur player, and singer of Iraqi origin is touted as an artist "perfectly positioned to bridge the gap between jazz and Arabic music" (The Wire) and as "one of the most promising figures in jazz today" (Chicago Tribune).

Wednesday 14th of December the Halaqat Impro Orchestra will close off this musical adventure with a concert in BOZAR. But first you're kindly invited to join all of them in this free open jam at Walter!

In collaboration with