Beyond Borders

In this session, Sherif Hassan and Haya Al-Mouil trace the diverse musical forms found in Syria — a diversity stemming from its multiplicity of sects, ethnicities, and religions. They discuss whether a Syrian musical project exists in which these forms converge under one direction, and why that would matter. The Listening Sessions begin from thinking of sound as an intimate social space allowing for listening and stillness, away from the image's dominance over how knowledge circulates. We present music not as a show, but as a path for discussion and exchange, allowing for openness, sharing, and re-asking questions.