Katara Oud Festival
The Oud Center Katara hosted a series of successful festivals from 2017 to 2019, bringing together international oud artists, luthiers, and academicians from across the globe. The events featured world-class performances by oud virtuosos from the Arab world, Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas, celebrating the instrument’s universal appeal. Each year, the festival honored a legendary musician: 2017 paid tribute to Ziryab, the Andalusian pioneer; 2018 honored Farid Al-Atrash, the iconic Syrian-Egyptian oud master; and 2019 dedicated the festival to Kendi, a prominent oud figure.
The festivals were broadcast live on television, allowing global audiences to experience the magic of oud music. Held at the Katara Opera House, the performances took place in an acoustically rich setting, further cementing the festival’s standing as a major cultural event.