BarakaBits
  • Business
    • Social Entrepreneurship
    • Women-Led Enterprises
    • Youth in Business
  • The Arts
    • Art & Photography
    • Books, Blogs & Poetry
    • Design, Fashion & Architecture
    • Music
    • Theater & Dance
    • TV, Film & Online Video
  • Dailylife
    • Challenge to Change
    • Discovery
    • DIY & Life Hacks
    • Food for Thought
    • Heritage
    • Travel
    • Wellness Inside Out
  • Education
    • #NeverStopLearning
    • Classroom 2.0
    • The VIP Section
  • Environment
    • Green Policy
    • Sustainable Design
    • Upcycling & Recycling
  • Science & Tech
    • Lab to Life
  • #Barakability
    • AMENA
    • Memory Bank
    • Opportunities
    • Portraits
  • Countries
  • Submit a Story
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact
Subscription Form
BarakaBits
  • Business
    • Social Entrepreneurship
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Women-Led Enterprises
    • Youth in Business
  • The Arts
    • Art & Photography
    • Books, Blogs & Poetry
    • Design, Fashion & Architecture
    • Music
    • Theater & Dance
    • TV, Film & Online Video
  • Dailylife
  • Education
  • Environment
  • Science & Tech
  • #Barakability
  • عربي
  • #Barakability
  • Music
  • The Arts

This Singer Was Nominated For An Oscar–But Not The Kind You Know

  • March 10, 2014
  • One comment
  • 2 minute read
Total
58
Shares
58
0
0
0
0
0

As the world was going crazy over the winners, the style, and the speeches at the Academy Awards last week, another kind of Oscar was awarded to groundbreaking videos, visual effects, and songs that fight global corruption: the Honesty Oscars.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4oMi4pWv9o]

Created by ONE and Accountability Lab, this alternative awards ceremony nominated the song “El Soor” (The Wall) by Egyptian accordionist Youssra Al-Hawary for Best Activist Anthem. As her music video shows, Youssra’s song addresses Cairo’s graffiti covered walls, erected to block access to Tahrir Square.

“I sing this song to any one who thinks a wall can prevent anyone from doing anything, to anyone who thinks walls can stop dreams, to any wall no matter how high it is”, she says.

Her French-style folk, her humorous attitude and the commitment to set those walls and their anonymous spray-painted words to music have earned her the international recognition, though the award finally went to Cameroon’s Dr. Sley and Da Green Soljas for their song “Down by the riverside”.

Youssra adapted her song from an old poem “written long ago by caricaturist Walid Taher,” she explains, “but when I checked it again in 2012, I quickly linked it to the walls that were being built around Tahrir Square, which I found very disturbing.” Now, inspired by the creativity of Cairo’s graffiti makers, Taher’s words have been given a new life in the swaying rhythm of an accordion.

For more information – Youssra Al-Hawary’s website.

58
0
0
0
Share 58
Tweet 0
Total
58
Shares
Share 58
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Related Topics
  • Arab musicians
  • Arab singers
  • Arab Songs for Change
  • Arts & Culture
  • Baraka Bits
  • BarakaBits
  • Best songs in Arabic
  • Egypt
  • Egyptian artist
  • Egyptian Singer
  • Egyptians Singers
  • Female Arab Singer
  • Good News
  • GoodNewsME
  • Honesty Oscars
  • MENA Good News
  • Middle East Good News
  • Oscars 2014
  • Youssra El Hawary
Valentina Primo

Journalist, globetrotter, and determined idealist. Since Valentina left her home country of Argentina, she has searched for ways to build bridges between cultures and foster dialogue. Her previous work in international organizations in Italy and Germany fed her passion for the world of development, while her 8-year journalistic experience in Argentina and Egypt increased her curiosity for everything that challenges the stereotype. She holds a BA in Journalism and a Masters in Peace Studies with a specialization in Human Rights.

Previous Article
  • #Barakability
  • Lifestyle
  • Wellness Inside Out

A Second Home For Kids Fighting For Their Lives

  • March 9, 2014
View Post
Next Article
Palestine Shop
  • Business
  • Heritage
  • Lifestyle

Missing Palestine? Now You Can Shop There From Anywhere In The World

  • March 10, 2014
View Post

Subscribe

Subscribe now to our newsletter

You May Also Like
View Post
  • The Arts
  • TV, Film & Online Video

10 Internationally-acclaimed Arabic Movies

  • February 1, 2021
View Post
  • #Barakability
  • Women-Led Enterprises

A Time of Crisis: Lebanon’s Kafala Victims Need You

  • May 4, 2020
View Post
  • Art & Photography
  • The Arts

Planning a trip to the UAE? Here’s a list of the ten best photography locations across the Country!

  • April 7, 2019
View Post
  • #Barakability
  • AMENA
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel

MENA Countries: What to Look for When Touring Uzbekistan

  • December 9, 2017
View Post
  • #Barakability
  • AMENA
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel

Best New York Parks for the Outdoorsy Tourist

  • November 5, 2017
View Post
  • #Barakability
  • AMENA
  • Heritage

You Know You’re Arab When..

  • October 18, 2017
View Post
  • The Arts
  • TV, Film & Online Video

Hopes are Up for the First Pakistani Horror Movie, Pari.

  • October 16, 2017
View Post
  • #Barakability
  • Lifestyle
  • Uncategorized

International Babywearing Week, Promoting the Benefits of Babywearing

  • October 3, 2017
1 comment
  1. Pingback: 5 Arab Indie Pop Artists You Should Check Out in 2015

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Trending
  • 1
    Six Reasons to Invest in Dubai Property
  • 2
    How Does a Sharia Mortgage Work?
  • 3
    Joining the Healthcare Industry with an Online Degree
  • 4
    3 Must-Haves in a Job Listing Post
  • 5
    5 Reasons Why You Should Buy a Dishwasher
Get some good news to your email

Subscribe

Subscribe now to our newsletter

Countries
Libya Yemen Algeria Jordan United Arab Emirates Turkey Iraq Syria Oman Tunisia Egypt Saudi Arabia Iran Morocco Palestine Lebanon Kuwait QatarBahrain
Stay Connected
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
YouTube Subscribers
Categories
  • Business
  • The Arts
  • Lifestyle
  • Education
  • Environment
  • #Barakability
Company
  • About Us
  • Archives
  • Intern at BarakaBits
  • Submit a Story
  • Why Advertise With Us?
  • Contact Us
BarakaBits
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
Good News from the Middle East

Input your search keywords and press Enter.