SOUK foyer programme
Ground floor
GANG
Exhibition: Amine Habti
Moroccan-Dutch photographer and artist Amine Habti loves to push boundaries and create nostalgia on canvas, and this is how his Arabic pop art was born. Admire this poster series created especially for SOUK 2025, which continues in the Juliana foyer.
BACHFOYER
Food & Drinks: Sham Delight
until 0.00 hours
Enjoy delicious Arabic coffee brewed on sand and artisanal delicacies.
Live music: Shaza Manla
7.45 - 8pm & 10.45 - 12pm
Syrian Shaza Manla, also known from the Marmoucha Orchestra, plays the qanun, a traditional Middle Eastern stringed instrument. In a compelling and innovative way, she fuses traditional influences from Arabic, Turkish and Egyptian music with hip-hop and jazz.
BRAHMSFOYER
Hummus Academy presents: Hummus Museum
Hummus Academy aims to decolonise indigenous cuisine by creating space for authentic and ethical stories. The Brahms foyer will be transformed into Hummus Museum, where the centuries-old history of hummus will be celebrated and live hummus will be made. Palestinian wines from Bethlehem and Galilee will be available, as well as other culinary and creative products.
Wonder Mirror
Treat yourself to a beautiful memento of SOUK 2025 and step into this installation for your own 360 video.
JULIANAFOYER
Levantine House presents: Arabic Lounge
Relax for a while in this lounge by Levantine House, where furniture and decoration bring together the warmth and magic of the Middle East.
BEATRIXFOYER
Food: Hawawshi
6.30pm - 8pm & 9.15pm - 9.45pm
Hawawshi is authentic street food from Cairo: traditional flatbread stuffed with a unique blend of ribeye and 16 different spices, topped off with a tahini sauce.
Food: Abu Amr Koshari
6.30pm - 8pm & 9.15pm - 9.45pm
Ultimate comfort food and vegan: authentic koshari, the popular street food dish from Egypt with lentils, rice, pasta and spicy tomato sauce with chickpeas. You can also get a delicious rice dessert with coconut.
MIRROR HALL
Film & Performance: Hadi Moussally
6.30pm - 8pm film
22.45 - 23.30 film and live performance
French-Lebanese filmmaker Hadi Moussally's videos explore the limits of self-expression in the context of societal expectations and constraints. His alter ego Salma Zahore will also give some live performances after the programme in the Great Hall. Last year, Hadi Moussally won the Fashion Film Award for his film Shame (عيب).
Afterparty: dj Cherine Laiki
11.30pm - 12.30am
After her successful set at SOUK 2023, dj Cherine Laiki is back with her energetic mix of Arabic genres and electronic music. Plus live electronic darbuka!
CHOIR HALL
Live music: Wasim Arslan
6.30 - 8pm jam session
10.45pm - 12.30am afterparty
Syrian-Amsterdam singer Wasim Arslan innovatively and in his own way honours the traditions of the melodic patterns (maqam) of Arabic music, combining them with Western influences. With his powerful voice and accompanied by six musicians, he will perform two different sets, full of Arabic grooves and effervescent energy.
ENTRANCE HALL
Afterparty: dj Zobayda
11.30pm - 1am
Egyptian DJ and artist Zobayda spins in the best clubs in the Netherlands and Belgium and is the perfect final act of a magical evening with her energetic, electronic tracks with Middle Eastern and global south influences.
First floor
DIRIGENTENFOYER
Live performance: Al-Qadima Escola Trio
6.45 - 7.45pm
This artist collective with members from Syria, Brazil and the UK invites us to a meditative ritual. Through storytelling and ambient soundscapes, the ancient spirit at the root of all cultures, called The Word, is evoked.
Live music: Mohamad Al Tayeb
10.45 - 11.45pm
After the performance in the Main Hall, Sudanese singer-songwriter Mohamad Al Tayeb will give a concert with his band The Nubans. Now living in the Netherlands, he combines East African traditions with modern influences, grooves and rhythms and a social message. Mohamad Al Tayeb speaks across borders with his music and invites his audience to move and connect.
SOLISTENFOYER
Live music: Marmoucha Orchestra presents Ana W'Inta
6.30 - 8pm
Join us on a journey through the Andalusian culture of centuries ago. On the album Ana W'Inta (You and I in Arabic), members of the Marmoucha Orchestra, including Mohamed Ahaddaf (ud), Cord Heineking (double bass) and Emad Ghajjou (darbuka), tell musical stories of connection and emotion.
Live music: Marmoucha Orchestra presents Trans Sahara Electro
10.30pm - 12am
Especially for SOUK, Efe Erdem (trombonist and producer DeDeXgrande) and Emad Ghajjou (beats and percussion) present a preview of Trans Sahara Electro. Inspired by the historic Trans-Sahara trade routes, the energy of electronic music meets the rich musical traditions from North Africa to South-West Asia. Dance along to an electrifying mix of Afro-house, Arab-house and ancient melodies that blend seamlessly with modern sounds.
MAHLERFOYER
Amsterdam Museum presents: Her Story, Arab Women of Amsterdam
7 - 8pm and 10.30pm - 12am
What does it mean to belong somewhere - to carry memories, language and identity with you through (experiential) worlds? In collaboration with the Amsterdam Museum, SOUK presents a special edition of this long-running project that highlights the powerful, personal stories of Arab women living in Amsterdam. Be welcome at the round table or listen in.
ME Art Gallery
This Amsterdam-based art gallery is committed to bringing more attention to Middle Eastern art and heritage to gain more international recognition for it. Be surprised by a selection from their rich and diverse artistic offerings.
HALLWAYS
Exhibition: I AM ALL (WO)MEN PART II x SOUK
A photo exhibition by Karima Aissaoui and Fatima-Zahra Nouzi on the universality of women, being constantly on the move and considering the world as your home. Photography by Michell J. Willekens.
MUSEUMFOYER
Market
Indulge in this specially curated souk full of creative, artisanal, culinary, fashionable and artistic products, or treat your loved ones. With the participation of Souk Beldi, Untitled Art, Saeed Zamzam, Iraqi Art by Iman, Attar Bukhoor & More, among others.