Riyad El-Sonbaty is exceptional

Naseer Shamma Cairo - Somia Ibrahim Iraqi musician Naseer Shamma insists that the Festival of Love concert must go on as scheduled, as he desired to salute the "martyrs, injured and young people everywhere who risked their lives for the sake of their countries’ freedom." Shamma also paid tribute to the late musician Riyad El-Sonbaty whom he considers "unique" in his profession. The singer said in an exclusive interview with "Arabstoday": “I tried to express through music and to urge every citizen to view his country in a new form”, noting that “Festival of Love was not the centre of the ceremony, but love itself was.” He referred to the love given by revolutionaries who sacrificed their lives for the sake of their countries' welfare. Shamma said that “new musical instruments are being used in the concert, accompanied with the lute as well as a new voice, Khater Al-Dawi, in a tribute to the Syrian revolution,” noting that the House of Lute has become a cultural and artistic beacon. As for why he chose Al-Harawy House as the House of Lute premises, he said: “When I asked the Minister of Culture for a home for the House of Lute he asked me to choose...I got attached to Al-Hawary House as I adore Arab civilisation, especially the Egyptian one. Even the students have become attached to the house, and to the Fatimid civilisation in general,” he said. He added: “The success of the idea contributed to dissemination of it in other ancient houses in Fatimid Cairo.” In response to a question on the experience of the Arab Lute Forum that he established, he said: “I tried through the forum to present lute players who graduated from the House of Lute along with others from the Arab world in a way that matches their talents, also to honour the iconic players and lute makers. We decided that every year the festival is to be headed by a new artist and we chose Hussein Saber for this year, but the events taking place in the Arab world prevented us from holding the festival.” Regarding rumours that the House of Lute was an "only-Iraqi lute school", he said: “This is not true and the House graduates include Hazem Shahin, Karim Sami and Mohamed Abu-Dhekri who play pure Egyptian lute.” He added that “more than 120 students are studying at House of Lute and are taught by graduates of the House as well, in addition to other branches in other Arab countries.” He said that he loved Riyad El-Sonbaty  "as he is unique, and must be studied separately.” Shamma will be honoured in Abu Dhabi next month, to which he said: “On March 4 we will celebrate the anniversary of the House of Lute and I will be honoured through a book on my career and work, in addition to a concert in which six of the world’s greatest players will perform with me.”