“My country is a suitcase,” says a verse by Mahmoud Darwish, a poet born in the turmoil of exile, whose entire work is haunted by the quest for a lost homeland. With this verse in mind, Montreal singer Ghada Derbas will pay a vibrant tribute to the musical traditions of Palestine, “mother of preludes and epilogues,” cradle of religions and civilizations. For this show, steeped in passionate song, odes to joy and lamentations of exodus, along with dance and contemplation, poems by Darwish will set the framework for a dreamed-of country, revealing the contours of its rites, its passions, its festivities and its songs!
Between the rejoicing and rituals of wedding celebrations and melodies of grievance caused by uprooting, Raconte-moi la Palestine (Tell me about Palestine) portrays the scope of a pluralistic and complex culture, “adorned by the moonlight of ancient religions” where revolt arises alongside hope and happiness. The contrasting emotions aroused by this fertile land have continued to nurture the hearts of poets, artists and believers from all backgrounds. Ghada Derbas, an admirable performer of classic or traditional Arab song, shares with the audience this authentic musical heritage cradled by sacred aspects of the greatest civilizations.
