“I cherish special memories of my last visits to Belgrade. Every time I’m there, I receive a warm welcome, experience a real connection with the audience and, most importantly, I enjoy playing in front of the Serbian public” ~ Dina Bensaid
On each of my visits to Belgrade, I wanted to tell a story through my concerts, which will also be the case for the closing concert of the “Year of Morocco in Serbia”, scheduled for 9th December!
“It is my great honour to close this year’s celebration of the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Belgrade and Rabat, and to participate in this symbolic link bringing the two countries together. I am sincerely moved that I am trusted to represent Morocco again through, in my opinion, the universal art that is classical music, which begins where the power of words ceases.
“I wanted, for this occasion, to put together a grandiose musical programme, with a musical trio, combining piano, violin and cello, providing the perfect balance between instrumental virtuosity and powerful sounds.
“I am proud and happy to play in Belgrade alongside two artists with a particular history, in emblematic works of the chamber music repertoire: Abdessamad Alassali, cellist of the Moroccan Philharmonic Orchestra, who comes from the sociocultural programme Mazaya that I work on in Rabat. It’s a programme offering socio-professional integration to young people who have dropped out of school and come from underprivileged backgrounds. Abdessamad is currently a professor not only within this programme, but also at the International Schools of Music and Dance of the cities of Casablanca and Rabat in Morocco. Music gave him a taste of victory and a second chance; Mohammed El Hachoumi, who will be playing the violin, is also one of the mainstays of the Mazaya Programme, having formed an entire promotion of violinists.
“To say a word about the chosen trio, we wanted to tell you an epic story through Dumky by Dvořák, a very special work that relates the thoughts of a hero who looks back on his adventures, sometimes with great joy, sometimes with nostalgia. It is a work with a lot of character, almost exuberant at times, and of an extreme sensitivity that we wanted to share it with the public.
“I hope that many of you will come and share with us these exceptional musical moments, the culmination of a jubilee year that’s been rich in events celebrating the friendship between our two countries.”