MARSM presents: Bachar Zarkan’s Hallaj of Hope

Striking a resilient harmony between Sufi musical performance and contemporary poetry, Bachar Zarkan’s anticipated London performance marks the debut of his remarkable project The Hallaj of Hope.

Together with a brand-new ensemble, Zarkan pays homage to the divine poetry of the Sufi mystics and thinkers such as Ibn Arabi, Ibn Al-Faridh, and Al-Hallaj, and extends their rich legacy to the work of contemporary poet and literary icon Mahmoud Darwish. Further testimony to Zarkan’s astonishing musical agility, the works are presented and based on the inner musicality of their text; the inherent ‘poetic word’ decides the rhythmic structure of the works, and through it, ingeniously couples authentic Arabic modes alongside contemporary Arabic music.

Zarkan’s Damascus roots bring with them an enthralling blend of Syrian and Egyptian musical heritage, which together with styles such as the Iraqi maqam, carry an innovative expressivity and bring a remarkable distinction to an already astonishing musical culture.