Manama, Oct. 15 (BNA): The Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (BACA), in collaboration with the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Kingdom of Bahrain, organised a concert entitled "Oud Night", performed by Bahraini artist Mohammed Al Bakri and featuring Chinese oud player Dr. Joo Zhao. The concert took place at the Cultural Hall as part of the 35th Bahrain International Music Festival.
The evening was held as part of the growing cultural relations between Bahrain and China, and the ongoing cooperation in the cultural and artistic fields, which promotes creative exchange and communication between the two cultures.
The evening celebrated the oud and its melodies, bringing together the Kingdom’s musical heritage and Chinese musical traditions. It highlighted the oud’s place in Bahrain’s musical memory and created an opportunity for musical dialogue between the two cultures.
Mohammed Al Bakri is a prominent figure in Bahrain’s music scene, with an artistic career spanning several decades. His interest in music began during his school years, when he learned to play the oud, which became an integral part of his artistic identity. Throughout his career, he has presented a diverse range of vocal works, performed at concerts and participated in artistic events in Bahrain and the Gulf, as well as in several Arab and European countries.
Dr. Zhao also performed musical pieces reflecting the points of convergence between Chinese and Arab music. She is a researcher and musician specialising in the music of West Asia and North Africa. She holds a doctorate in ethnomusicology from the Central Conservatory of Music in China, where she also studied the pipa. She has dedicated part of her academic and artistic career to exploring the similarities and interactions between Arab and Chinese music through research, artistic performances and joint projects.
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