The third Qemam International Festival for Mountain Performance Arts, held in Saudi Arabia’s Asir region, presented a stunning array of performances from both local and international troupes. Featuring participants from 45 local and international groups and showcasing 40 distinct types of Saudis, Arab, and international mountainous performance arts, the festival’s goal was to foster international cultural exchange and celebrate the rich legacy of mountain performing arts. The Chinese group left a lasting impression with their mesmerizing performances. The first, a traditional Yao dance called “Long Drum” from the Han dynasty, showcased the group’s artistic prowess. Their second performance, “Bronze Drum,” seamlessly combined traditional art, music, and skilled group performance, providing a unique and enchanting experience. Japan contributed to the cultural tapestry with a performance group presenting three distinct arts: Kokiriko Bushi, Hanagasa Ondo, and Genroku Hanami Odori. The Spanish group, on the other hand, enraptured the audience with three performances set to Spanish music tunes, showcasing the authenticity and heritage of these arts. Sudan brought forth the ancient art of Sudanese Ardah, while Jordan presented the vibrant ‘Dabkah’ with about twenty variations. Lebanon’s performance group displayed the art of Dabkah at eight heritage sites, emphasizing its significance in the Levant. The Moroccan group exhibited the famous Ahidouss, Obidat Al-Rama, and captivating solo and group performances of Amazigh Mountains. An Iraqi group presented the art of ‘Gobi’ at eight heritage sites, and the Yemeni performances depicted the rich legacy and heritage through ‘Al-Samrah’ from Yafi and Al-Awd Mountain performance arts. Italy showcased three mountain arts – Mediterraneo Performance Arts, Old Ttarantella, and Ballad of SanCalogero. The Uzbekistani group delighted the audience with ‘Lyasgi,’ a performance that highlighted individual and group skills, …
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