Under the title “Nawartouna: The Luminous Legacy of Asmahan and Farid al-Atrash,” a unique archival exhibition is being held at Hayy Jameel in Jeddah by Art Jameel, in collaboration with the Red Sea International Film Festival, to celebrate the first anniversary of the launch of “Hayy Cinema,” which has screened more than 180 Saudi, regional, and international films over the past year.
The exhibition, running from December 4 to January 11, sheds light on the unique contributions made by these two iconic stars. It also aims to invite the public to explore the cultural and artistic legacy left by the late duo, which reflects their lasting impact on the collective memory of generations across the Arab world.
Rare Archive
Before the exhibition activities begin, the newly restored classic Egyptian film “Intisar al-Shabab” (1941), starring the siblings with the extraordinary, melodic voices, Asmahan and Farid al-Atrash, will be screened on December 3, 2023.
The exhibition also presents rare archival materials, including original posters, unique photographs, and personal belongings, being shared publicly for the first time, in a moving tribute to the enduring contributions of these legendary figures.
In this context, the Syrian writer and artist Mamdouh al-Atrash, a cousin of the late Farid al-Atrash and Asmahan, called for the establishment of a museum to house their belongings, confirming that Asmahan’s house is still standing in As-Suwayda, Syria, and that establishing the museum is a personal wish for the entire Al-Atrash family.
