Reports | 25 05 2020
Syrian artist Mohammad Karrout participated in the New Year's Eve concert hosted by Amnesty International at the Opera House in the Dutch capital, Amsterdam.
A Talent in Camp
Mohammad stood accompanied by the "Nederlands Blazers Ensemble," and artists and musicians of different nationalities, in a concert broadcast live by Dutch and German television channels. Karrout, holding his Syrian Oud [Lute], stood in the middle of the other instrumentalists, playing solos and colorful Arabic Taqasim [musical imporvisations].
In an exclusive interview with Rozana, Mohammad says that he arrived in the Netherlands only a few months ago, quickly receiving humanitarian asylum. He participated in some modest concerts in the camps in which he had stayed.
The young twenty-something caught the attention of the Amnesty International representatives who saw him perform at one of these concerts. They considered him an exceptional talent, who deserves to play on a prestigious stage in his new country, the Netherlands.
Explains Karrout: "The Central Symphony Orchestra in the Dutch capital was contacted. Within a few weeks, I received a letter of invitation to participate in the New Year's Eve concert in the Dutch capital's Opera House."
I am No Politician
Karrout, smiling softly, says: "I'm no politician!... I escaped Aleppo carrying my art as a humanitarian message. Today, I send my music out to every Syrian and everyone around the world—regardless of politics and affiliations."
During his young years, the young artist played many concerts in Aleppo, "the city of his heart." He also won first place as an all-Syria Oud player, leading the Aleppo Central Orchestra. He never earned money from his music before, though.
Smiling with satisfaction again, he says: "I was and still earn my spiritual life through music... My material existence, I make through other sources."