Morgenland Festival 2026 Celebrates Voices of the Diaspora Through Global Soundscapes
The Morgenland Festival Osnabrück is set to explore the theme Voices of the Diaspora in its 2026 edition, running from May 29 to June 6. Under the direction of Iranian clarinetist and curator Shabnam Parvaresh, the event will showcase artists whose lives and creative work are shaped by migration and cultural exchange. The festival will open with a performance by Ganavya, a vocalist known for blending South Indian classical traditions with jazz and ambient soundscapes, setting the tone for the exploration of cultural movement and transformation. Other notable acts include Egyptian poet and singer Abdullah Miniawy, who will present an immersive sonic experience, and Mahan Mirarab, Bernhard Schimpelsberger, and Shannon Barnett, who will collaborate on a project intertwining Iranian melodies with intricate rhythmic patterns. Yazz Ahmed will take the stage to fuse contemporary jazz with Arab musical influences, while Kurdish singer Sakîna will lead an international ensemble, crafting a modern sound rooted in spiritual and Middle Eastern traditions. Experimental performances, such as a dialogue between electronics and jazz by Kit Downes and Shiva Feshareki, will also feature. Before the main event, a special preview titled Die Konferenz der Vögel (The Conference of the Birds) will be held on January 25, 2026, featuring Neda Rahmanian alongside Parvaresh. The 2026 Morgenland Festival promises to bring together musicians from diverse backgrounds, each contributing unique perspectives shaped by displacement and cultural blending.
