Tanweer Festival 2025 Opens In Sharjah’s Mleiha Desert With Art And Music Celebrations
The Tanweer Festival's second edition commenced in the stunning Mleiha Desert of Sharjah, offering a three-day celebration of art, music, and heritage. The festival, inspired by Rumi's wisdom, "What You Seek Is Seeking You," attracted global audiences for concerts under the stars and shared experiences across four unique performance spaces.
Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, the festival's founder, welcomed attendees with a heartfelt message. She expressed that Tanweer provides a moment of clarity and renewal amidst the chaos of the world. Her speech was enriched by Azhar Kubba's music on the Iraqi santur.
The Main Stage at Tanweer served as a hub for performances blending tradition with modernity. Audiences enjoyed a light calligraphy show by Julien Breton, accompanied by Oliver Milchberg and Mohammed Al Numa. Palestinian singer Aya Khalaf delivered a moving performance preserving cultural heritage through song.
Indian musical traditions were highlighted by Rooh-e-Noor ensemble, mentored by A.R Rahman and led by Khatija Rahman. Their performance added cinematic and contemporary pop sounds to the evening. The night reached its peak with A.R. Rahman's unforgettable rendition of 'Wings of Love'.
Tanweer offers over 28 performances from 183 musicians across four themed areas: Main Stage, Tree of Life, Dome, and Marketplace. The programme includes nine workshops led by expert facilitators and eleven art installations transforming the desert into a gallery of thought.
The festival also features seventeen food vendors and fourteen marketplace artisans. Visitors can engage in nine activities like stargazing, desert explorations, and guided archaeological tours to deepen their connection to the place.
Connecting Past and Present
The Dome serves as a space for inquiry and shared practice. Meanwhile, the Marketplace buzzes with artisans, storytellers, and musicians. Eleven art installations throughout Tanweer connect past, present, and future within Mleiha’s ancient landscape.
Earlier in the day at Tree of Life, Moroccan ensemble Nass El Ghiwane infused rhythms into the desert afternoon. Known as "The Rolling Stones of Africa," they connected audiences through shared memory.
Exploring Mleiha’s Landscape
The festival extends into Mleiha’s natural landscape with guided stargazing, desert explorations, and tours of archaeological sites. Activities like horse riding across scenic vistas or fossil rock safaris turn nature into an educational experience.
Tanweer Festival 2025 invites international audiences to witness Sharjah’s creative leadership where East meets West. Tradition blends with innovation against desert horizons that set the stage for performances reflecting our shared human story.
With inputs from WAM
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