World Cup opening ceremony: a celebration of pan-Arab culture
World Cup opening ceremony: a celebration of pan-Arab culture
Different styles, new technologies and rhythmic fusions showcased the very best of Arab talent in a star-studded whirlwind performance.
3 min read
Musicians from the Arab world and beyond took the stadium by storm before the first match [Getty images]
Music from around the Arab world and regional solidarity were at the forefront of yesterday's glamorous opening ceremony to kick off the Qatar World Cup.
Voices from the last 70 years, from the world-famous Egyptian icon Umm Kulthoum to young Qatari rappers, were brought together with messages of solidarity and unity across a divided Arab world.
Different styles, new technologies and rhythmic fusions showcased the very best of Arabic talent in a star-studded whirlwind performance - against a backdrop of fireworks, dancers and stunning lights.
Amid extensive critical media coverage, however, football fans in Britain missed out on the festival of pan-Arabic culture - as the BBC chose to boycott the opening ceremony.
Real and brought to life
Holograms of Umm Kulthoum and Feyrouz drew gasps from the crowd as they came to life on the pitch, singing classic songs known throughout the Middle East and North Africa.
Known for her hour-long songs holding audiences in rapture, Umm Kulthoum’s hologram appeared for less than a minute before the show whisked on.
فيروز حاضرة بحفل الإحتفال#كأس_العرب | #مونديال_العرب #FIFArabCup | #ArabCup pic.twitter.com/znnbVjvtOL
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) November 30, 2021
Feyrouz, the legendary Lebanese nightingale, appeared towering above the stands singing "We will return one day" - a heart-rending song of longing for home written by Palestinian poet Haroun Hashem Rashid.
The awe-inspiring holographic performance coincided with the real-life singer’s 88th birthday.
Snippets of songs by the late Abdelhalim Hafez - the Lebanese Druze singer who rode to fame in Egypt - and Warda al-Jazairia, the beloved Algerian soprano - were also featured at the ceremony.
Moving through the decades, Algerian funk legend Cheb Khaled appeared in the flesh to wow the crowd in Qatar as he performed at the centre of the stadium.
شعوري لايوصف بالمشاركة في حفل افتتاح أضخم حدث في العالم في بلدي #قطر وسعيد جداً بمشاركتي مع الفنان الرائع جون كوك ، شكراً لكل شيء 🤍#كأس_العالم_قطر_2022 #كأس_العالم_2022 #كأس_العالم #JUNGKOOK #JungkookAtFIFAWorldCup #Dreamers2022 #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/JUGis49qbE
— فهد الكبيسي (@FahadAlkubaisi) November 20, 2022
Contemporary performers also came from further afield to collaborate with Arab musicians - with Korean heartthrob Jungkook appearing alongside upcoming Qatari talent Fahed Kobeisi.
Many anthems, one song
مبهر... بكل معنى الكلمة 👏👏👏 pic.twitter.com/7j2AMiAbtR
— Achraf Ben Ayad (@Benayadachraf) November 30, 2021
In a stripped-back feature of the ceremony, three young Arab singers performed a medley of national anthems from across the Arabic-speaking world.
Both Algerian and Iraqi anthems were featured, referencing anti-colonial struggles during the first years of self-determination having overthrown the rule of the French and British empires.
The Palestinian revolutionary anthem Fida'i, written by Said al-Muzayin - also known as Fata Al Thawra, the "boy of the revolution" - was greeted by cheers around the stadium as the Palestinian flag was projected onto the pitch.
The tournament's opening ceremony looked to themes of unity and harmony, in a joyful celebration of Arab music and culture, setting the stage for an intensely competitive few weeks as all 32 countries compete for football's top prize.
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