In Which I Visit the Arab World

The John F. Kennedy Center has a celebration of arts in the Arab world going on right now. I went to a concert last night of songs from the golden age of Egyptian cinema, which happens to coincide with the golden age of American cinema around the early '40's. Musicals were very popular in the Arab world, just like in the English-speaking world, apparently. Live musicians and singers performed several songs from the movies that must be very well-known and loved in the Arab world, judging by the wild applause and humming along of the Arabic-speaking people around me.

I'm not a great judge of Arabic vocal music, being more familiar with the instrumental side of things, but I could tell the singers were very talented. I wish I could understand what they were singing about. It was certainly a break from the ordinary, and a welcome one.

There were also many displays of photogtaphy and jewelry, as well as a large collection of wedding dresses from many Arabic-speaking countries. They were quite beautiful. I promised to post a few, and here are a couple of favorites.