Nader Jalal’s new book, Palestine in the Arab Musical Nahda: The First Half of the Twentieth Century, traces the history of song, musical production, and live performance in Palestine before the Nakba. Through key moments, figures, musical releases, and events, the book illustrates how Palestinian musical heritage took shape in the early decades of the twentieth century, while also offering a glimpse into the civic and cultural life of the period.

The talk will highlight the research underpinning the book and the histories it brings to light, and will feature rare archival recordings of Palestinian music and song.

Image: Al Hamara cinema in Jaffa in 1937. The Library of Congress.

Nader Jalal is the founder and director of Nawa – The Palestinian Institute for Cultural Development. Nawa is dedicated to reviving and documenting Palestine’s musical Nahda, building an archive of classical Arab music, and reissuing rare works by Palestinian composers. Jalal previously served as Director General of Arts and Music at the Palestinian Ministry of Culture, and as Director General of the Higher Council for Education and Culture. He has lectured widely, in Palestine and abroad, on the country’s musical life before the Nakba. He lives and works in Ramallah.