ʿUbūr عُبُور

In dialogue with musical improvisation and contemporary performance, ʿUbūr عُبُور intersects two traditions of trance and healing stemming from the routes of slavery and exile. Conceived from contemporary sound research and discussions led by Julien Colardelle, this creation activates a circular and nomadic scenography, installed in the exhibition spaces.

ʿUbūr عُبُور is a celebration of the relationships, identities, and resistance that music continues to carry and transmit.

Julien Colardelle is an artistic director, producer and stage director.

The Cairo-based Mazaher Ensemble is one of the last groups to keep alive the tradition of zâr in Egypt, a community healing ritual through music and dance, performed primarily by women.

Mazaher Ensemble
Umm Sameh : vocals, mazhar
Umm Hassan : vocals, tabla, doholla
Sabah : vocals, mazhar, sagat
Imam : vocals, tamboura
Araby : vocals, mazhar, mangour

Hind Ennaira : vocals, guembri
Nancy Mounir : bass, violin, bells, flutes, effects
Mehdi Chaïb : flutes, saxophone
Khalil Gandi, Hamza Ahrach : backing vocals, percussion

Julien Colardelle : artistic and stage direction
Sebastien Bureau : sound
Cleo Konongo : lighting
Fanny Riotte-Kempf : administration and production (Souffle collectif)

Carpet design : Sandrine Vergnères, Julien Colardelle
Carpet production : The Anou cooperative
Afous Gafous

Commission and financial support Fondation Cartier pour l’art contemporain
Partnership Saison Méditérannée 2026 -
Institut Français; DAC – Bureau de la musique de la Ville de Paris; Makan Egyptian Center for Culture and Arts – Dr Ahmed El Maghraby; Pan African Music / POWA