Duo Ali Saad & Sanna Salmenkallio’s concert at Vuosaari House combines elements of Arabic and European cultures

Duo Ali Saad & Sanna Salmenkallio explore the landscapes between Arabic and European cultures. Ancient Arabic poetry meets the Finnish and English languages, a combination of oriental abundance and northern minimalism. Arab countries have long traditions in poetry. Poetry is also used to express emotions in powerful and nuanced way in contemporary pop.

“Our music is born out of curiosity and our will to go deep into somewhere we’ve never been before, deep into beauty,” Sanna Salmenkallio says, describing the duo’s compositions.

The musicians are inspired by changes in the world and the moments where different paths, lives and stories meet. These meetings create a new generation of music.

Ali Saad grew up in a Baghdadian family of musicians and learnt his impressive singing style from his famous uncles. Sanna Salmenkallio is known for her film scores and theatre music, and now she is expanding her repertoire with a touch of Arabic influence. The duo’s programme consists of Arabic folklore and pop with new arrangements, as well as some of the duo’s new compositions.

“The coronavirus pandemic has forced us into unprecedented creativity. After the initial shock, we managed to do a lot of new things,” say the duo, who are currently working on their new album. It will include dramatic pop where powerful Arabic melodies and texts are combined with film-like arrangements.

At Vuosaari House, the duo will be joined by Muqam Band, the only pop band formed in Finland that arranges Middle Eastern pop music with European elements.

Duo Ali Saad & Sanna Salmenkallio featuring Muqam Band
9 October at 19:00
Vuosaari House
Mosaiikkitori 2, Helsinki

Duration: approximately 90 minutes
Age limit: 18 years
Tickets: €10/€8

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Dear journalist, you are invited to the concert! You can receive press tickets from Vuosaari House, Culture Producer Sanna Nuutinen, sanna.nuutinen@hel.fi.