IRAQ: Stars gather for concert in Kurdistan

Before a crowd of about 3,000 people, a group featuring some of world music's best-known performers -- including drummer Tariq Snare, all the way from Brooklyn, Iranian musician Sohrab Pournazeri (shown above playing the kamancheh) and multi-instrumentalist Matthaios Tsahourides of Greece -- played in Kurdistan on Friday. "Our group includes four different nationalities, and this event expresses the dialogue among different cultures," said Hussain Zahawy of Kurdistan, who plays the frame drum.

"Each state has its own culture and traditions, but after all, we are all human," Tsahourides said. See more pictures of the show below.

Above: Youssif Mohammed from Afghanistan playing the tabla.

Above: Greece's Matthaios Tsahourides.

Above: Hussain Zahawy on the Kurdish frame drum.

Above: Sohrab Pournazeri plays his kamancheh.

Above: A standing ovation for, from left, Mohammed, Tsahourides, Zahawy, Snare and Pournazeri.

All photos: Asso Ahmed

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Comments

[rawa from sulaimany]

Jose segador:Why racism my friend,it is not our fault that your country and not Kurdistan is at war.What baghdad?the baghdad that is full of terrorists?Baghdad is ripped of all the means of culture since the Holaco invasion in the 600s,so no one will attend a culture event while they are busy killing each other.They are not dressed asKurdish (peasant?)the clothe is traditional Kurdish garment and if they were,what is wrong with peasants? Do you think cultural events happen just by them selves? It needs persistance and passion,which we have and you don't.Sulaimani is now home of thousands of Arabs fleed the Iraqi war,their men wear white dresse that don't cover their legs,like a rope,They are ugly tanned and have long bears.their women wear black scary ropes that cover even their faces you have created a sight polition that never existed in our city.How eveer no Arab faced an act of racism in Slemani because we are peace loving nation and we understand your cituation.

[jose segador]

¿ 4 cultures represented or 4 musicians just fancydressed as kurdish peasants ? ¿wy not another concert in bagdad ?

[ziba islambulchi]

sohrab pournazeri is a Tanbour & kamancheh player. in the first image he plays tanbour,just in the second one he playes kamancheh. please correct the text.

[brnaldo]

Matthaios out of this world....it was unbelievable, but Tariq was the most friendliest one..they were all great..that was and will be the best concert and group in my life...Kurdistan love all of you...

[rawa from sulaimany]

i attended the concert,it was few blocks away from where i live,sulaimany is a calm city not very much is going on here,so to host a concert like this is big,it was some thing from four different cultures and it really worked i mean i don't remember the last time i had that much of fun,they played good music,i never saw the instrument the greek musician played it made beautiful tones,i really like the persian musicians voice really nice song,i admired the afghani musician really brave man to keep that high soul with all the things happening sadly at home,i really really like the finale as they passed instruments for a while and returned to the base note then the sudden stop,the drummer palyed fine but it was not unique..i send my best regards to Mr.Zahawi thank you for you work you are a really good Duff player you play it with pasion i admire that keep up the good work..

[Awder]

where is SNARE ??????????? The bet musician player the best lovely person the friendly man he was the boan of that concert .....that is why iam asking for the fifth of culture as zahawi said FIVE culture not Four .......do not Care SNAR Kurdistan loves u weeeeeeeeeeeeeee Love u toooooooooo muccccccccchhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

[Kawa Abdulbaqi]

The drummer of any musical group plays an extraordinary vital role! Why is there no photo of Mr. Tariq Snare??? There are not 4 cultures, but 5 if you include the home of the Los Angeles Times. Snare is the only African American in this group and it seems to be an obvious deliberate overlook in a country who boasts a breakthrough in racial prejudices... I hope to God that I am wrong and a misprint is the culprit. However, with 5 musicians on the stage and 5 superlarge images of landmarks representing each country ( LADY LIBERTY)... C'MON NOW. I'M NOT SLOW AT ALL.