Join us as acclaimed pianist Saleem Ashkar (Palestine) and visual artist Michèle Vanvlasselaer (Belgium) discuss the development of their work in and outside of the Middle East. The artists and friends will present a series of short films to illustrate their practice and ideas, and there will be a special piano performance by Saleem Ashkar.

Saleem Ashkar made his spectacular debut at the New York Carnegie Hall at the age of 22 and has since performed with some of the world’s leading orchestras and conductors. A dedicated recitalist and chamber musician, his recent work focuses on the complete Beethoven Sonata Cycle which he has performed in Berlin, Prague and Osnabrück, as well as in his home country, Palestine. Saleem is also artist-ambassador of Music Fund, an organisation supporting musicians and music schools in conflict areas and developing countries. Together with friends, he set up the Al Farabi Music School in Berlin, which teaches young refugees.

Michèle Vanvlasselaer is a visual artists from Belgium and has been working in Gaza, Palestine, on stained glass windows projects and a related training programme. Using an ancient technique, she incorporates themes including light, time, rhythm and memory into her work.

Lukas Pairon is founder of Music Fund and has worked on projects in occupied Palestine and Israel for over 15 years. He will be chairing the event.

www.saleemashkar.com     |     www.michelevanvlasselaer.com     |      www.musicfund.eu