Music and Migration
Publication
Martin Stokes situates his discussion within the broader framework of comparative musical modernities, of which the study of migration is a part. He examines certain examples and issues at play in the Mediterranean region.
Merel Van Slageren
Starting from the observation that the oral transmission and teaching of muwashshahat no longer take place solely from teacher to student, through listening and repetition, Merel Van Slageren examines the impact that forced migration, caused by the Syrian conflict, may have had on this phenomenon.
Alicia Vogt
Online publication
Drawing on the case of two Kurdish musicians living in Germany, Alicia Vogt examines the role played by exile in reshaping their careers and musical practices.
Denis Laborde
Online publications
Session moderator
Music and Musicians of the Middle East in War and Exile
Rim Irscheid
Online publications
Rim Irscheid explores models of transmission that challenge scientific perspectives on musical spaces in the diaspora, placing the country of origin—particularly for musicians of Kurdish and Lebanese descent—at the center of studies in the field of music and migration.
In the early 1960s, at the initiative of the Egyptian Minister of Culture, musicians were relocated from rural areas to the urban metropolis of Cairo. Sophie Frankford analyzes the effects of this relocation on sha’bi music.
Talia Bachir-Loopuyt
Online publications
Session moderator
Making Music in Conflict Zones
In conflict zones, humanitarian action and the arts can help build the resilience of affected populations. Yet major challenges remain. How can artistic expression be promoted in crisis situations where it seems secondary? To what extent does artistic practice impact individuals’ ability to overcome trauma and rebuild their lives in devastated environments?
Jaime Salazar
Video: Jaime Salazar Trio
In Colombia, the Ministry of Culture has developed a series of initiatives aimed at making music a tool for social peace—a goal that is still a work in progress. Jaime Salazar offers an analysis of how the various actors and victims of the Colombian conflict have used music as a means of intimidation and resilience during the armed conflict.
Online Publications
Denis Laborde recounts his recent trip to Ukraine, where he met with many people to ask them about their singing practices during wartime. Upon his return, he explores the impact of the emotions and empathy experienced by the ethnomusicologist during such an experience, in light of the scholarly work he is expected to produce.
Session Moderator
A Glimpse of Resilience?
Music is both a path to inner reflection and a means of social connection. It serves as a vehicle for expressing individuality and as a tool for fostering social bonds. This session explores the question “Why make music?” by comparing situations of conflict and exile.
Dr. Olha Kolomyyets, a Ukrainian ethnomusicologist, examines how the Ukrainian national anthem has evolved over the past few decades amid the various geopolitical configurations of Ukraine’s territory.
Philip Bohlman
Online publication
Philip Bohlman bases his presentation on the meaning of certain songs drawn from the repertoire of European Jewish music as it was practiced in the 20th century.
