Firas Zreik is a Palestine-born, NY-based composer and player of Kanun, a traditional Arabic string instrument. He has performed and recorded in varied styles including Arabic Maqam and jazz and collaborated with many international artists such as Residente, Pink Floyd's Roger Waters, Shreya Ghoshal, and others. His debut EP "Solo" came out in 2021 and his most recent release is a 2023 full-length album called "Salute.”

Take a journey with us today to the land of Kanun, the Arabic tradition of Maqam, and world music.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

Understanding the Kanun and its history
Maqam: the language of Arabic music
How colonization and racism show up in the music world
Growing up Palestinian and second-class citizen in Haifa and Galilee
What it was like collaborating with Grammy-winning artist Residente
The role of artists and activism in the Palestinian cause
Firas tackles the question of diaspora

Featured on the show:

Opening credit: Prelude to Salute by Firas Zreik
See Firas play Kanun in my three other favorite compositions:
Fields of Figs
Shams
Lullaby for Nature
Listen to the song dedicated to the children of Gaza, in collab with Residente
Learn more about Firas on his website
Follow Firas on Instagram

Get more information at: Going Places website

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Going Places with Yulia Denisyuk is a show that sparks a better understanding of people and places near and far by fostering a space for real conversations to occur. Each week, we sit down with travelers, journalists, creators, and people living and working in destinations around the world. Hosted by Yulia Denisyuk, an award-winning travel journalist, photographer, and writer who's worked with National Geographic, The New York Times, BBC Travel, and more.

Learn more about our show at goingplacesmedia.com.

Palestine-born Artist Firas Zreik on Playing the Music of His People

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