Verein Andalouse
Al Andalus, Andalusia. From the Pyrenees to Granada, from the wild Atlantic coast of Portugal to the sunny Mare Nostrum of Valencia. For over 700 years, this has been a land of coexistence and tolerance. As a Swiss woman who has lived in Granada, Spain, for over 28 years, I have been lucky enough to experience a history and culture that is very different from my own, but still historically relevant. That's why I founded a cultural association (Andalouse Association) with my family to promote the music and culture of Al Andalusia and Andalusia in Switzerland on the one hand and to collaborate with other artists living here on the other. Part of this journey has led me to explore other musical styles in the Mediterranean region, which include Greece and the Levant. This has led us to take part in exiting projects which have brought together artists from different backgrounds, that however share a common language, that of music and tolerance.
The importance of this language has become more and more manifest in the times we live inFor this reason, we at Verein Andalouse aim to continue to work on projects that promote the spirit of coexistence and tolerance, by sharing the sounds, fascinating rhythms and melodies of a region that for centuries has seen much conflict, but has managed to survive in spite of it all.
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Fauzia Benedetti - President and founder of the “Verein Andalouse” association.
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Upcoming events
II ANDALUSIAN CULTURAL ENCOUNTER
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The influence of Arabo-Andalusian culture on the Renaissance and its importance in many fields, including music, science and medicine, is well documented. This culture had its roots in the Iberian peninsula, known for centuries as Al-Andalus, which later gave its name to the region of Andalusia. After the expulsion of the Jews and Muslims from Al-Andalus, which began with the Reconquista led by the Catholic kings in 1492, this culture continued in North Africa (Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia) until the present day.
The Festival of Andalusian Culture aims to convey aspects of this culture in the form of an evening of music and poetry, featuring a traditional Arab-Andalusian music ensemble from Granada and Morocco. The evening will also include traditional Moroccan refreshments (tea, pastries, lemonade), creating a magical atmosphere that will transport us to another time and place.
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Where: Alte Kirche Fluntern, Zurich
When: June 20, 2025 - from 19:15
Past events
UNDER THE OLIVE TREE
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Zurich, September 22, 2023​
Fête de l'Olivier, Geneva, September 23, 2023
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Under the Olive Tree is an original project that began with a photo of an olive tree next to the Parthenon in Greece and a shared love of Mediterranean culture and music. For thousands of years, the olive tree has been and still is of vital importance to the regions and peoples of the Mediterranean. In Greek mythology, it represents Athena's triumph over Poseidon when she gave the olive tree to the city named Athens in her honor. Throughout the Mediterranean, it has been one of the most important sources of food, medicine and cosmetics since ancient times, and its branches are a universal symbol of peace. Olive oil is sacred in both the Jewish and Christian religions, and in the Islamic tradition the olive tree is defined as neither Eastern nor Western, the light of its oil is a source of blessing for all mankind. This is why we see the olive tree as the source of inspiration for this encounter and the starting point of our journey.
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I ANDALUSIAN CULTURAL ENCOUNTER
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The first Andalusian Cultural Encounter took in Zurich on September 17th, 2022 A full day of activities including workshops, henna tattoos, oriental sweets and coffee, fairy tales for children, and a special focus on traditional music such as Arabic - Andalusian from Morocco and Algeria, and flamenco. Our Pièce de Resistence, a concert with Arabic and flamenco fusion under the direction of the international Moroccan singer Hamid Ajbar.
CONCERTS
Hamid Ajbar Ensemble was founded in 2014 in Granada by the Moroccan singer Hamid Ajbar. In 1982 he completed his studies in Tetouan and Rabat, where he graduated with excellence in the fields of Andalusian and Arabic singing, violin, Andalusian music and the history of the Andalusian repertoire as well as Arabic and Andalusian modes. Since the foundation of the ensemble, he has participated in various festivals and concerts in England, Mexico, Italy, Switzerland, Morocco, Tunisia, etc. The group's music encompasses the different styles of Al Andalus, North Africa and the Middle East, as well as the Sufi tradition that has flourished over several centuries.
