٠٠:٠٤:٤٣Yemen: 'Something completely new for society' - All-female music group breaks boundaries in war-torn country
A group of Yemeni women have decided to form what is believed to be their country’s first all-female music group, as seen in footage from the interim capital of Aden on Sunday.
Footage shows members of the 10-strong ensemble playing the oud, a stringed instrument popular in Islamic music, as well as guitars and violins.
“I am learning to play the guitar as a hobby; it’s been my passion since childhood," said one trainee, Rajaa Khalil. "I heard about the new institution in Yemen; it is a women’s band. I’ve always dreamt of music and art institutions run by women. Once this course was announced, I immediately applied via Facebook.”
The plan was to train 10 women for the 'Art is My Profession' project, although they were reportedly inundated with more than 90 applicants.
"It is something completely new for society, so some people will support it while others will refuse it. However, most comments on social media were acceptable and encouraging,” added another trainee, Linda Saleh.
The course is funded by the Aden Foundation for Arts and Sciences, in partnership with the German Goethe-Institut, to train women in cultural management and musical theory and practice.
After years of conflict impacting cultural programmes across the country, the project aims to revive musical traditions and break social boundaries and taboos.
٠٠:٠٤:٤٣A group of Yemeni women have decided to form what is believed to be their country’s first all-female music group, as seen in footage from the interim capital of Aden on Sunday.
Footage shows members of the 10-strong ensemble playing the oud, a stringed instrument popular in Islamic music, as well as guitars and violins.
“I am learning to play the guitar as a hobby; it’s been my passion since childhood," said one trainee, Rajaa Khalil. "I heard about the new institution in Yemen; it is a women’s band. I’ve always dreamt of music and art institutions run by women. Once this course was announced, I immediately applied via Facebook.”
The plan was to train 10 women for the 'Art is My Profession' project, although they were reportedly inundated with more than 90 applicants.
"It is something completely new for society, so some people will support it while others will refuse it. However, most comments on social media were acceptable and encouraging,” added another trainee, Linda Saleh.
The course is funded by the Aden Foundation for Arts and Sciences, in partnership with the German Goethe-Institut, to train women in cultural management and musical theory and practice.
After years of conflict impacting cultural programmes across the country, the project aims to revive musical traditions and break social boundaries and taboos.