The Jiraan ensemble brings together twelve musicians of different nationalities. The Syrian violinist and composer Shalan Alhamwy gathered a few Syrian, Turkish, Bulgarian, Iraqi and Belgian colleagues around him. Eastern instruments such as kanun and duduk are juxtaposed with western instruments such as double bass, violin and saxophone. Together, the musicians present what connects them: subtle melodies from East and West, swirling tunes and breathtaking improvisations. Proof that music effortlessly transcends borders, politics and ideologies.

With this project they want to uncover the roots of the 'sirto', an instrumental form of music played in the Turkish, Greek and Arabic music traditions and closely related to a folk dance in which the dancers join hands to form a chain or circle, led by a leader who occasionally breaks away to perform makeshift passes. This dance is comparable to 'hora' in the Balkan music and Dabke in the Arab folk of Syria, Lebanon and Palestine. The musicians enter into a dialogue through improvisation, either in the form of taksim or jazz solos. Everything with a view to connecting music traditions and music styles, and with respect for each other as musicians.

Line-up:
Shalan Alhamwy (violin & artistic direction)
Mohamad Aldouri (violin)
Ibrahim Kahila (viola)
Emine Bostancı (kemenche)
Damla Aydin (cello)
Katrien Bos (double bass)
Omar Znkawan (sax & clarinet)
Lucie Lelaurain ( duduk & flute)
Maher Mahmoud (oud)
Galina Velikova (vocal)
Jacobus Thiele (percussion)
Jonas Malfliet (keys)