Arab Heritage Festival 2026: A festival without borders

The emotion reached a high pitch at the Aberdeen Cultural Centre in Moncton on Sunday, April 26. The artistic explosion presented by the ensemble Qasida Flamenca brought the 5th edition of the Arab Heritage Festival to a remarkable close. In total, the organizers presented eight events filled with music, nostalgia, dance, and above all, bursts of laughter. Here is a recap of my Arab journey — one that made April 2026 a month I will never forget.

The walls shook

Let’s first return to the evening of April 25, when the documentary The Desert Rocker was screened at the Dieppe Arts and Culture Centre. As a music enthusiast, I simply couldn’t remain indifferent to the fascinating story of Algerian artist Hasna El Becharia.

A woman of exceptional strength, Hasna defied conventions that reserved Gnawa music for men by building her own guembri (a traditional Maghreb instrument) and performing on stages around the world. Before her, no woman had dared attempt it. Several audience members said they felt inspired: “I admire her courage. Imagine —she was born in 1950 and paved the way for so many other female musicians. And I love her music,” shared Hanane, who attended with her daughter Ghalya, who was also inspired by Hasna, the “Desert Rocker.”

It is essential to mention the magical touch added by musician and singer Amine Saasaai, who took the stage after the film. In addition to telling us the story of the guembri, Amine enchanted the audience with a performance of several pieces from the Gnawa repertoire.

As for me, even though the film lasted only an hour and a half, the authenticity, humanity, and above all the music of Hasna El Becharia stayed with me for days afterward.

Grand finale

I had been told the festival would end on a high note with Qasida Flamenca’s musical performance — but I had no idea just how powerful that “high note” would be. The five musicians, accompanied by the striking bailaora Maria, blew the roof off the Bernard-LeBlanc Hall. Co-presented by the Frye Festival, the event was sold out. The audience was captivated.

Of all the mysteries of the Arab world, the art of flamenco may be the most captivating. Drawing from Andalusian tradition (Spain), it blends a timeless mix of poetry, dance, guitar, and passion.

Personally, not speaking Arabic, I could not grasp the nuances of the lyrics beautifully sung by Reem Fayad, the group’s soloist. However, like everyone in attendance, I was deeply moved by the pure emotion of the performance. Alternating between delicate passages and bursts of intense rhythms, the group held the audience spellbound for the full 90 minutes.

As a beautiful nod to local culture, musician Lucie Lavoie joined Qasida Flamenca with her violin, adding touches of Acadian tradition to the performance.

A final word about Maria, the internationally acclaimed bailaora: nothing could draw the audience’s attention away from her dancing. It was as if fire itself had taken the stage to demonstrate the precision of her art. I thought I knew what flamenco was, but that performance gently took my breath away.

The end of the journey

Following that performance, the Arab Club team invited spectators to a warm closing reception. A sense of gratitude filled the Bernard-LeBlanc Hall as partners and collaborators took the stage to thank the organizers.

Provincial cabinet minister Claire Johnson used the occasion to highlight the cultural richness of the province, before Knowledge Keeper Joan Milliea offered a touching prayer of thanks in Mi’kmaq.

It feels surreal to think that in less than a month, we journeyed through Levantine wedding celebrations, sang along to Egyptian musicals, and admired the richness of Mesopotamian calligraphy. Not to mention the wonder of children who celebrated their culture during the “meshwar” workshops, and all those who discovered one of the world’s most beautiful literary traditions at the Moncton library. Above all, we were moved by the rhythm of a noble, refined, and soothing culture.

This fifth edition of the Arab Heritage Festival was my first, and I struggle to find the words to express my gratitude to the Arab Culture Club. Having arrived in New Brunswick only last year, I found in Moncton’s Arab community a welcome that transformed my integration. Having faced similar challenges themselves, these individuals welcomed me like a cousin from the West.

Thank you — I will never forget April 2026.

Hubert Théberge worked with the Arab Cultural Club as a media correspondent for the activities of the fifth edition of the Arab Heritage Festival during the month of April.