Lena Chamamyan, a Syrian-Armenian singer, is performing in Saudi Arabia for the first time. The performer is bringing her concert The Road to the Sun to AlUla‘s magical Maraya Concert Hall. Ahead of the concert, which takes place on December 10, she chats to us about her excitement to see Saudi’s people, sights and cities.
Maraya Concert Hall is pretty dazzling. How do you feel about performing in the space?
Personally, I love mirrors, I love lights and I love reflections. For me, when I saw Maraya for the first time it was like magic. It’s a place beyond nature. The design of Maraya completely reflects the surrounding nature. I’m happy to perform there and to be in AlUla, as it’s a special place that blends together history, heritage, art and culture. It’s truly a rich place that adds another dimension to the music that I’m performing.
What can audiences expect from your set?
This is the first time I’m coming to Saudi Arabia. It is a special moment for me and I wish it will be special for them. The performance will be a mix of my old well-known songs and a combination of some new as well as Khaligi songs. There is a bit of everything: jazz, Arabic pop, classical and modern songs. It’s a fusion.
Tell us about your team creating the show.
The special thing for me about this concert is that I am Syrian Armenian and the maestro is a Russian Armenian living in Berlin. The orchestra is Egyptian and the team are from different nationalities. It reflects the Gulf countries, and shows how many nationalities can work together in harmony. I hope that my listeners will feel joy and freedom.
Tell us why you called your concert The Road to the Sun.
For me, sunlight is one of the most important elements of nature. I was born and grew up in Syria and then I moved to Paris, France. You don’t see the sun in Paris, as it’s very rare. In the Arab world, they have the sun and the light, but for just a few days of the year it might be cloudy. Even if it’s cold, you still see the sun rays. I want my music to reflect those feelings and create a picture of how beautiful the Arab world is – shiny, warm and bright.
You’ll be performing in Saudi Arabia for the first time. What are you looking forward to?
It is something totally different. I used to see Saudi people at my concerts all around the world, especially in London, as I used to meet with them after the show. This is the first time I’m going to meet them on their own land, which makes it a new experience for me. It makes me excited to perform in AlUla.
Will you check out any sights while you are in Saudi Arabia?
As it is the first time for me in the Kingdom and I have many friends in Saudi Arabia, I will take the chance to visit places in the country. In AlUla, I would love to visit the heritage sites between the magical landscapes. I will go to Jeddah for the Red Sea Film Festival. I will then fly to Dammam and my last stop will be Riyadh.
December 10. experiencealula.com
Looking for more shows in AlUla? Check out our concert guide.
