The Arab revolts have shaken the status quo, shattering ideologies and threatening dominating discourses. They have spurred new debates and creative movements throughout the region, questioning capitalism and globalisation, Arabic and western identities and the nature of cultural exchanges. The Alif Ensemble, composed of an Iraqi-Syrian oud player with a British education, a Palestinian buzuk musician, an Egyptian electronic music composer, a Lebanese drummer and a Syrian bass player, are one of the most fascinating projects to have emerged in the region in the past few years.

Read More: The Alif Ensemble: The Sound of Transition