Dear kissbankers,

We made it !

Big news: we have reached our goal! Thanks to your 160 generous contributions, we raised 10 028 € 10,028 in 30 days. We are now able to go on with the realization of our new album. A big thank you for your support !

What is next ?

This is the last straight line to finalize the recordings, the graphics, the promotion! The official release of our CD is set for February 16, 2019 and will be accompanied by a first presentation concert at Ancienne Belgique (Brussels, BE) and followed by many other concerts in Belgium and elsewhere. You can follow all news on our page: https://muziekpublique.be/artists/refugees-for-refugees/?lang=en

See you soon for big news and thank you again for your enthusiasm and support!

Refugees for Refugees unites 10 musicians who are refugees and have arrived in Belgium from Syria, Iraq, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Tibet. They have united their diverse musical heritages in order to create a unique repertoire, building bridges between their cultures and putting out a message of hope and resilience.

From the foundations that they have built has emerged an amazing synergy, extending ever further the boundaries of musical collaboration. As if turning a new page, the new album symbolizes reconstruction, a fresh breath in order to find a way forward after having their lives torn apart.

“In music we will be trying to reverse what’s going on in the world. Maybe music will give the solution not to be enemies.” (Tarek Al Sayed, Syria)

Who are we?

The group called Refugees for Refugees is the fruit of a meeting between traditional musicians who arrived in Belgium as refugees and the association Muziekpublique, a world music center based in Brussels. Fleeing the disasters of their regions of origin, threats impelled them to leave what was once a wonderful land and leave behind an essential heritage, but taking with them their knowledge and their instruments.

After bringing out their first album, Amerli, in 2016, a number of the musicians decided to continue the adventure via a number of concerts to keep alive the commitment at the heart of the project. Two years have passed and the adventure so far has been unbelievable. The first album was voted “Best album of 2016” by the highly rated international “Transglobal World Music Charts”. The group had the good fortune to perform on some outstanding stages and to enjoy some shared moments which will long remain in everyone's memory: Music Meeting (NL), Africolor Festival (FR), Espéranzah Festival (BE), Festival des 5 Continents (CH), Globaltica Festival (PL), Festival van Vlaanderen (BE) and many more.

“An album of the year and one which people will treat as a benchmark in years to come”

fROOTS magazine, 01/06/2016

Why a second album?

The band’s current repertoire represents an exciting new stage in their development, consisting of joint compositions of hitherto unreleased and original titles drawing on the traditions of each participant. Proud of the path they have followed and of the message that they bear, the musicians in the team are determined that this second album should see the light of day. The release of the album is planned for February 2019.

Refugees for Refugees: Nowruz live in Tournai

The members of the band are:

Asad Qizilbash (sarod) (Pakistan-BE)
Aren Dolma (vocals) (Tibet-BE)
Kelsang Hula (dramyen, vocals) (Tibet-BE)
Mohammad Aman Yusufi (dambura, vocals) (Afghanistan-BE)
Simon Leleux (percussion) (BE)
Souhad Najem (qanun) (Iraq-BE)
Tammam Al Ramadan (ney) (Syria-BE)
Tarek Alsayed Yahya (oud) (Syria-BE)
Fakher Madallal (vocals, percussion) (Syria-BE)
Tristan Driessens (oud and artistic direction) (BE)

The project team

Muziekpublique supports and promotes world music in three main areas: organizing concerts, coordinating a music and dance academy and producing and distributing CDs. It's through this last activity, the Muziekpublique label that we are taking forward the Refugees for Refugees project with the same attention to detail that we brought to the production of our previous albums, concentrating our work on the quality of the music, on taking good care of the musicians and on their musical development.

Emre Gültekin, saz player but also an excellent sound engineer, will supervise and record the performances. His refined hearing and sensitivity will ensure an album with subtle production values, reflecting the talent of the musicians. Dieter Telemans will take the photos for the booklet, which will be produced by Désirée De Winter, following the example set by previous Muziekpublique albums.

We really have need of you and of your support. THANK YOU!

Refugees for Refugees: new album