Two musicians, accompanied by the head of programs and concerts at the Edward Saïd Conservatory in Ramallah, were welcomed in Bordeaux and Cenon from March 13 to 17, 2025, for a series of workshops and concerts organized in partnership with the City of Bordeaux, the Institut Français, the Bordeaux Conservatory, and Le Rocher de Palmer*.
During these few intense days, the Palestinian artists led eight workshops in collaboration with the Bordeaux Conservatory. They shared their expertise with students of all ages and levels. A sincere dialogue emerged through music, transcending language barriers and fostering a profound cultural exchange.
A highlight of the event was the participation of Palestinian musicians, including some from Gaza, hosted in Bordeaux and Cenon as part of the Pause program initiated by the Collège de France. Together, they performed a concert at the City Hall of Bordeaux, blending classical and contemporary repertoires on traditional instruments such as the oud and the qanun. It was a poignant musical interlude, with each note carrying the urgency of communication.
A few days later, Mohammad, project coordinator for the Edward Saïd Conservatory, presented at Le Rocher de Palmer the history and mission of this emblematic institution. In a challenging political and social context, the conservatory plays a crucial role in transmitting and preserving Palestinian musical heritage.
This artistic—and above all human—exchange marks a new chapter in the twinning between Bordeaux and Ramallah. Organizers now hope to continue this momentum by sending teachers and musicians from the Bordeaux Conservatory to Ramallah, nurturing these exchanges and celebrating cooperation through music.
This cultural exchange is organized under the cooperation agreement between the City of Ramallah and the City of Bordeaux.
