Call to Action: Qanun
for Shahed
Shahed from Syria is looking for a qanun. Who can help Shahed find a suitable qanun (either on loan or as a gift)?
Shahed (who prefers not to have her photo published) is 21 years old, comes from Syria, and now lives in Amsterdam. She has more than 10 years of experience playing the qanun. This is a stringed instrument that probably resembles a zither to many people in the Netherlands, but it is much larger and quite different in sound, mechanism, and playing technique.
Does anyone have any advice?
Shahed had already heard about the “Keep Playing” ” by the Musical Instrument Fund, but she waited until she received her residence permit before she felt comfortable approaching us with this request.
It’s certainly not a common instrument—that much is clear—but suppose there’s a Syrian qanun gathering dust somewhere in the Netherlands that could make Shahed immensely happy… We almost don’t dare to hope for it, but we’d love to hear about any surprises!
That’s why we’re asking: does anyone have a good qanun available for Shahed? She’ll be incredibly grateful! Call or email Ben Cartens (project leader for Doorspelen).
