2nd Conference of the Chair of Arab Studies at the Reina Sofía School of Music

From October 15 to 17, the Reina Sofía School of Music in Madrid will present these sessions, organized in collaboration with the Qatar Foundation, with the aim of promoting Arab music and culture, as well as building bridges between diverse musical traditions.

This year’s event will focus on more than 300 years of Segah’s history, featuring a combination of lectures, panel discussions, a hands-on workshop, and a concert open to the public.

The events will be held in English with simultaneous translation and are open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis until capacity is reached; advance registration is required.

CONFERENCE PROGRAM.

Thursday, October 15
7:00 p.m. — Opening concert. “A 300-Year Journey with the Segah.” 
Doha Classical Maqam Ensemble

Friday, October 16
10:30 a.m. — Institutional welcome. 
Representatives from the Reina Sofía School of Music, the Qatar Foundation, and the Qatar Music Academy
10:45 — Lecture: “The Muwashshah Throughout History.” 
Dr. Mustafa Said

12:00 — Lecture: “Iberian Presence, Maritime Circulation, and Cultural Memory in the Gulf.” 
Dr. Graça Almeida Borges (NOVA University of Lisbon)

12:50 p.m. — Roundtable discussion: “Historical Memory, Maritime Circulation, and Cultural Transmission.” 
Moderated by Dr. Maria Rijo, with Dr. Mustafa Said, Dr. Graça Almeida Borges, and Prof. Ana Ruiz Gutiérrez (University of Granada)

3:00 p.m. — Lecture-concert: “Medieval Iberia, al-Andalus, and the Cantigas.” 
Eduardo Paniagua

3:50 p.m. — Contemporary composition: presentation of work in progress. 
Daniel Cristóbal, composer, Reina Sofía School
Ibrahim Kadar, ney soloist, Qatar Music Academy)

4:45 p.m. — Roundtable discussion: “Sources, Transmission, Interpretation, and Creation.” 
Moderated by Dr. Maria Rijo.
Participants: Eduardo Paniagua, Daniel Cristóbal, Ibrahim Kadar, and Dr. Mustafa Said

5:30 p.m. — Closing remarks, Call for Papers, and announcement of the 2027 theme

Saturday, October 17
9:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. — Hands-on workshop with musicians from the Qatar Music Academy and the Doha Classical Maqam Ensemble. 
Activity open to the public featuring the following instruments: oud, ney, qanun, violin, and percussion

Free admission to all activities with prior registration.