Singing Wells to Participate in Sharjah Biennial 16

We are thrilled to announce that Singing Wells, a flagship project of the Abubilla Music Foundation, is participating in the Sharjah Biennial 16, running from February to June 2025.

The result of over 10 years of collaboration between the Abubilla Music Foundation and Ketebul Music, Singing Wells is dedicated to recording and promoting the traditional music of East Africa. Since its inception, the project has traveled to remote regions to capture the sounds of local musicians and provide a platform for them to share their music with the world.

Singing Wells has been asked to participate in the Sharjah Biennial alongside a host of incredible contemporary artists from around the world, curated by Alia Swastika, Amal Khalaf, Megan Tamati-Quennell, Natasha Ginwala and Zeynep Öz.

This prestigious international arts festival, hosted by the Sharjah Art Foundation in the Emirate of Sharjah, UAE, is a remarkable opportunity to showcase the rich musical traditions of East Africa on a global stage, in dialogue with the international arts community.

The theme of this year’s Sharjah Biennial is “to carry”, which explores how different cultures, histories, and stories are carried with us as we move through the world. As a project dedicated to preserving and celebrating traditional East African music, Singing Wells is perfectly aligned with this vision. Through the power of music, we carry the voices, rhythms, and stories of East Africa across generations and borders, ensuring they continue to resonate with audiences everywhere.

Singing Wells' participation in the Biennial highlights the importance of traditional music in global conversations about art, identity, and cultural heritage. It’s an incredible platform to share the diverse sounds and stories of East Africa, connecting them with other forms of artistic expression from around the world.

We couldn’t be more excited to be a part of this journey. To read the full curatorial statement, visit sharjahart.org.