IRAQ: Stars gather for concert in Kurdistan

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Before a crowd of about 3,000 people, a group featuring some of world music’s best-known performers -- including drummer Tariq Snare, all the way from Brooklyn, Iranian musician Sohrab Pournazeri (shown above playing the kamancheh) and multi-instrumentalist Matthaios Tsahourides of Greece -- played in Kurdistan on Friday. ‘Our group includes four different nationalities, and this event expresses the dialogue among different cultures,’ said Hussain Zahawy of Kurdistan, who plays the frame drum.

‘Each state has its own culture and traditions, but after all, we are all human,’ Tsahourides said. See more pictures of the show below.

Above: Youssif Mohammed from Afghanistan playing the tabla.

Above: Greece’s Matthaios Tsahourides.

Above: Hussain Zahawy on the Kurdish frame drum.

Above: Sohrab Pournazeri plays his kamancheh.

Above: A standing ovation for, from left, Mohammed, Tsahourides, Zahawy, Snare and Pournazeri.

All photos: Asso Ahmed

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