Music is something we have been doing since we were nomadic at the dawn of time. Something to unite people beyond language and status, something we keep on doing at home, away from home, on the road however perilous it may be, in our head and heart, with our body, alone and also to get closer to each other, to find our place and hopefully to belong there.

Many artists ponder the question of searching for and finding a home. For some, it is about learning how to belong in a place where fellow locals reject their sound and attitude, or perhaps creating nesting melodies to comfort one another; for others, it may be about finding their footing in foreign lands or strengthening their practice on the road during chosen or inflicted journeys.
From the side of the curators, putting together programs involves on the one hand showcasing all the diversity the music scene has to offer, while on the other bringing as many different people under one roof as possible to enjoy the show all together. Celebrating individuality and uniqueness, be it cultural, ethnic, communitarian, or even cliquish, by making it accessible, educational, and welcoming to the many, is the key to ensuring that these differences become the glue that transcends race, gender, language, and much more – even if just for a short period of time. Music opens a door to understanding one another without words, and to seeing each other as humans, irrespective of our circumstances.

For migrants, migration may be about personal or economic growth, or about survival. For the host nation, welcoming migrants is regarded as either a burden or charity, rarely considering that most of these migration movements have been driven by imperialistic forces at work for centuries. Besides the valuable labour that migrants bring to hosting nations, their arts and crafts such as music, dance, or cooking, are the positive aspects that make it easier to put aside negative feelings and try and make space for foreigners. As a result, these host nations see their cultural heritage enriched and reaching further out into the world, and migrants can enjoy the customs of both their homeland and of their new home while acting as essential cultural bridges. The same goes for communities not welcomed at home; over time, the passion and beauty springing from artists must become contagious and convert those who are entombed in their old ways.

Music will tell tales, open doors, and mend broken bonds or create new ones. All journeys involving the search for one’s place have their own soundtrack; may music carry those who need it back home or support them in their diasporic experience.

 

Text inspired by the 2024 news, and by the exhibition Music in Exile,
curated by Fareed Majari (RIP) and Nadia Says in Dubai in 2021.