Notes from exile: A concert supporting Palestinian composer Mahmoud Abuwarda

A concert titled Notes from Exile, featuring the music of Palestinian composer Mahmoud Abuwarda, will take place at the Rondebosch United Church in Cape Town this weekend. The event, organized by Capetonian musician Liesl Jobson, coincides with Mandela Day on July 18, a day dedicated to community service inspired by the legacy of former South African President Nelson Mandela. The concert aims to highlight themes of displacement, resistance, and cultural continuity through music and poetry. Mahmoud Abuwarda, originally from northern Gaza, has been living in Istanbul after being displaced due to ongoing conflict in the region. He requires medical attention while his family remains in Gaza. As a classically trained guitarist and music educator, Abuwarda has blended Western classical traditions with Arab musical elements in his compositions. His work explores themes such as memory, displacement, and hope, marked by cinematic scope, rhythmic energy, and profound emotional depth. Liesl Jobson began collaborating with Abuwarda last year after performing his music alongside poetry at a local event called Poets Against Genocide. She described his compositions as emotionally intense, likening them to “someone sobbing.” According to Jobson, Abuwarda reached out to her while hospitalized, requesting assistance not in the form of money but asking her to record and perform his new solo piece for bassoon. The concert features a diverse lineup of musicians and poets representing different religious backgrounds and beliefs. Jobson emphasized the inclusive nature of the gathering, stating that participants include Christians, Muslims, Jews, and individuals with no formal religious affiliation. The event will feature performances interspersed with readings of poetry, curated by poet Tania Haberland. Among the selected poems is If I Must Die by Palestinian writer Refaat Alareer, who was killed in an Israeli strike in December 2023. His family members were also victims of the attack. Tania Haberland explained how she selected the poetry to complement the music. She mentioned that two actresses, Tamara Dubeni and Stembiso Sibanda, would read the poems between musical segments. Her selection included both widely recognized and lesser-known works, aiming to create a cohesive narrative that reflects the emotional weight of the music. In addition to the performances, the Salt River Heritage Society will showcase its Quilt For Palestine, a 50-meter-long textile art project created by local artisans. This exhibit serves as a tribute to the children of Gaza and underscores the collective effort to remember and support those affected by the ongoing conflict. The concert tickets are available through the Quicket website and at the venue on the night of the event. The Rondebosch United Church has generously offered its performance space free of charge to the organizers. The event is part of a broader initiative to bring together voices from different cultures and backgrounds to address issues of injustice and displacement through artistic expression. Abuwarda expressed gratitude for the opportunity to have his compositions performed in Cape Town, noting the city's historical significance in overcoming oppression. He described the experience as a shared language of struggle, endurance, and hope. Despite the challenges of being physically separated from his homeland, he found solace in knowing that his music continues to be heard and appreciated beyond the borders of his country.