Introducing Yemeni Music to the World

For nearly a decade, Yemen has been marred by war, instability, and a deepening humanitarian crisis. Amid these challenges, a group of 30 Yemeni musicians has embarked on a mission to transform the world's perception of their country using the rich tapestry of Yemeni music.

For 90 minutes, their melodies echoed through the Mogador Theatre in Paris during the Yemeni Tunes in Paris concert last week.

Despite the formidable challenges that accompanied their European odyssey, the musicians remained unwavering in their determination to perform in the heart of Paris.

Yemen has endured nearly eight years of war, a complex struggle that set Iran-backed Houthi rebels against the internationally recognised government, supported by a Saudi-led coalition.

Despite multiple attempts, both parties have failed to renew the six-month UN-brokered ceasefire that ended in October, although violence levels are far lower than in previous years.

There remain fears, however, that the ceasefire will not hold, despite encouraging moves such as prisoner swaps between the two sides.

The Yemeni civil war ranks among the world's worst humanitarian crises, with 69 per cent of the population, equivalent to 21.6 million people, requiring humanitarian assistance in 2023, according to UN reports.