A Tapestry of Sacred Music: Noureddine Khourchid and the Whirling Dervishes of Damascus (Syria)

PUBLISHED February 24th, 2015 09:33 am | UPDATED July 1st, 2020 12:39 am

The mystical tales of the Sufi tell of a celestial soul that refused to take a physical form, but was seduced by the voice of an angel into settling inside a body. Trapped, it carried with it a deep sense of nostalgia for its heavenly origins. This is why Sufi poetry overflows with emotions that reflect its yearning and ardent desire to be reunited with its source. Since the 12th century, the Shadhiliyya and Mawlawi orders of Syria have been performing a spiritual concert known as sama and the trance-like dance known as hadra, which is a direct expression of this mystical journey that the soul takes to reach God.

Go on a journey through divine love and ecstasy as Noureddine Khourchid and his ensemble of musicians perform a repertoire of inshads (sacred songs), accompanied by rousing percussions and the hypnotic whirling dervishes, drums and tambourines.

About A Tapestry of Sacred Music:

A Tapestry of Sacred Music invites you to seek fulfilment through paths illuminated by the sounds and voices of devotion. Immerse in sacred music from around the world as well as from different religious communities within our shores at this festival, and be moved by the beauty of these spiritually inspired traditions. Be it through the grandeur of the Concert Hall or the intimacy of an outdoor performance on the Courtyard lawn, soul-stirring encounters can be experienced throughout the centre.

This event is happening on Saturday, 18 April at 8pm at the Esplanade Concert Hall.

To purchase tickets, please click [here](http://www.sistic.com.sg/events/syria0415).