The Netherlands Chamber Orchestra with Arab superstar Carole Samaha at SOUK in the Concertgebouw

Twenty years of the SOUK Amsterdam Arabic Festival with diva Carole Samaha, oud virtuoso Naseer Shamma and the first family edition

The Netherlands Chamber Orchestra will perform on Friday 30 and Saturday 31 May at the two-day SOUK Amsterdam Arabic Festival with Egyptian-Lebanese superstar Carole Samaha. The diva will celebrate the rich Arabic culture together with numerous other artists, including one of the world's best oud players, Naseer Shamma from Iraq, pop artist Mohamed Al Tayeb, who fled Sudan, and the Dutch National Ballet. For families and the youngest enthusiasts, there will be a special programme for the first time on Saturday afternoon, 31 May: SOUK Kids Mini Arabic Festival.

Artists and instruments build a cultural bridge
Actress, singer and performer Carole Samaha has also been a guest at SOUK in 2014. This year, Samaha will perform well-known hits such as Italaa Fiya , as well as her newer songs such as Ktir Bakhaf . The award-winning world star will be accompanied by her band, backing vocals and co-organiser the Netherlands Chamber Orchestra, conducted by the Polish-Lebanese conductor Bassem Akiki. The classical chamber orchestra will be supplemented by Arabic instruments such as the darbuka, a percussion instrument, and the qanun, a kind of lyre.

Chaimae Semali, board member of SOUK Amsterdam Arabic Festival, explains: ‘We are extremely honoured that Carole is with us again this year. Her songs are so infectious. In the Arab world, she is someone like Mariah Carey. With a fantastic voice and her warm energy, she immediately captures your heart. You don't need to speak the language for that.'

Main Hall follows 14th-century explorer Battuta
Prior to Samaha's performance in the Main Hall of the Concertgebouw, the festival audience will follow in the footsteps of explorer Ibn Battuta. At the beginning of the fourteenth century, he left Tangiers for an unprecedented adventure of over thirty years through the Arab world. His colourful stories provide the inspiration for a musical voyage of discovery that brings different cultures together. Including the world of one of the best oud players in the world, Naseer Shamma. His beautiful instrument plays the leading role in the morning prayer Ishraq, which he wrote himself. Dance also plays a major role in Battuta's journey. For example, the work of the French-Egyptian choreographer Luca Abdel-Nour will premiere, performed by the Dutch National Ballet.

The many foyers around the main hall of the Concertgebouw form a souk to wander through, as is familiar from the old city centres in the Middle East and North Africa. Festival visitors will find a modern mix of artists, musical styles, refreshments and after-parties. The foyer programme will also be announced soon.

First edition of SOUK Kids
This year, for the first time, SOUK is offering families and children aged 6 and over a special programme of Arabic music, dance, stories, art, snacks and drinks. On Saturday afternoon 31 May, the Netherlands Chamber Orchestra, once again in ‘Arabic formation’, will welcome the Dutch National Ballet and various musical guests, including the singer Mohamed Al Tayeb, who fled Sudan. The children's show will be presented by actress Soumaya Ahouaoui, known from Arjen Lubach's De Avondshow.

About SOUK Amsterdam Arabic Festival
The first SOUK Amsterdam Arabic Festival took place in 2005. SOUK has been bringing cultures together for 20 years. The event has brought many stars to the Concertgebouw, such as Nawal El Zoghbi, Asma Lmnawar, Carole Samaha, Assala Nasri, Mohamed Hamaki, Abderrahim Souiri, Mustapha Bourgogne and many others.

For more information and tickets for SOUK Amsterdam Arabic Festival 2025 and SOUK Kids Mini Arabic Festival, visit www.concertgebouw.nl/SOUK .SOUK is a collaboration between the Concertgebouw, Stichting SOUK and the Netherlands Chamber Orchestra and is made possible in part by Ammodo, the Concertgebouw Fund and Marmoucha.