Presented by Music For Identity, From Berlin to Beirut is an intercultural music exchange project that aims to connect the German musical culture with the Lebanese musical culture. Our goal is to build bridges and a communicative environment between the participants, allowing the different cultures to open toward each other and interact with each other. We believe that music is a critical part of the cultural development process, and through this project, we aim to open the doors between the people living in the Middle East and Germany.
These workshops were not lectures; they were interactive activities between the participants, as each group contributed to the workshop with their different musical backgrounds by sharing their stories and experiences.
The workshops were respectively on Saturday, the 20th of November 2021, and Saturday, the 27th of November 2021, and between the two workshops, each participant communicated with another participant from the other culture and shared music with each other.
Workshops themes
The role of music in my culture
The role of my instrument in my culture’s music
The music education system in my country
All the presentations and discussions were held in English, and the participation was free of cost.
This project was funded by the Goethe Institute and presented by Mr. Alan Ibrahim (Berlin) and Mr. Wajdi Abou Diab (Beirut)
Meet the Trainers
Alan Ibrahim/Berlin
Born in Syria in 1989, Alan Ibrahim studied at the International Guitar Academy in Berlin. He is currently studying Music Teacher Training Programs (Lehramt Musik/Udk), studying Music education/KPA، both with the main focus on classical guitar at the University of the Arts Berlin/Udk.
His passion for music and aim for social change and peace building through music education have contributed to his present work in various music schools and organizations in Germany. Since the beginning of 2016, he has been working at MitmachMusik organization, where He is the head of the guitar department and site manager at the Potsdam branches, in addition to leading the youth guitar ensemble that he founded himself.
Alan Ibrahim continues to work with Tontalente in Lübeck as a project coordinator and trainer for community music activities for projects aimed at anti-racism and discrimination in music, art, and culture fields.
His experience in Community music came as a result of his intensive focus at the University of the Arts Berlin on leading groups, Orff instruments, and free improvisation courses. In addition to different trainings for trainers organized by Musicians Without Borders.
Since the beginning of 2020, Alan Ibrahim has been establishing a non-profit enterprise ”Music For Identity” with a group of musicians and experts in different fields, aiming to strengthen the voices of marginalized minorities from the Middle East through music education programs and projects, along with other projects related to peace building and social change.
Wajdi Abou Diab/Beirut
Born in Lebanon in 1991, got his license in piano in 2014, then in Music Composition and electronic music in 2016, from the Lebanese National Higher Conservatory of Music, where he also teaches piano, harmony, and music theory. Wajdi holds a master’s degree in “Musicologie de tradition” from the Antonine University.
Founder and director of The “Lebanese Living Composers Channel (LLCC)” and the “Free Music Education For All” projects, and he’s also the founder, the principal conductor, art director, and arranger for “Orchestra El Moukhayam” and “Choueifet Orchestra and Choir”. He was chosen as the global youth ambassador to represent his country in the “Global Music Conference 2021”.
Wajdi has released several music albums and music books and received many awards, grants, and honoraria for his musical work and compositions.
Wajdi’s compositions were performed and published in more than 10 countries around the world by many orchestras, ensembles, and international musicians.
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