Creative Music Lab III – Women in Oriental Music

Creative Music Lab III is a six-day international music programme dedicated to the artistic voices of women working within the musical traditions of the Middle East and the wider Mediterranean region. Taking place on 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, and 16 May 2026, the festival brings together singers, composers, instrumentalists, and interdisciplinary musicians whose artistic practices move between tradition and contemporary creativity. The programme explores how women musicians from the Middle East and neighbouring regions engage with their musical heritage while shaping new artistic directions. Through concerts, collaborations, and artistic encounters, Creative Music Lab III creates a space where traditional repertoire, improvisation, contemporary composition, jazz, and experimental sound practices come together. Many musical traditions of the Middle East have been transmitted for centuries through oral culture, with singers playing a central role in preserving and passing on melodies, poetry, and musical knowledge. Today, contemporary artists reinterpret these traditions in new contexts, connecting them with modern musical languages and global influences. Creative Music Lab III presents this dynamic cultural landscape through a series of concerts featuring internationally active artists whose work reflects the diversity of musical cultures across the Middle East and North Africa. The festival creates a meeting space where artists from different countries and musical backgrounds can exchange ideas, develop new collaborations, and present their work to international audiences. Through these encounters, the project fosters dialogue between Europe and the Middle East and highlights the vital role of women artists in shaping the future of contemporary music traditions. The program features both established artists and emerging voices, presenting a wide spectrum of musical approaches—from classical Arabic and Persian traditions to contemporary improvisation, jazz-influenced projects, and experimental sound practices.