
A blog by Dr. Ramzi Salti, Stanford Lecturer + Host of Arabology Radio & YouTube Program
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Thursday, February 25, 2021
JadaL Releases New Rock Cover of Dalida's "Helwa Ya Baladi"
Tuesday, February 23, 2021
Auditions for Betty Shamieh's Play 'As Soon As Impossible' on Feb 23-24 (Stanford TAPS, Online)
FEBRUARY 23 + 24 2021 06:00-09:00 PT | ONLINE IMPORTANT DATESAudition DatesTUE+WED FEB 23+24 from 6-9PM PTCallbacksTHU FEB 25 from 6-9PM PTPerformance DatesTHU-SAT July 8 -July 17 |
Professor SAMER AL-SABER, Assistant Professor at TAPS, is a director, writer, and scholar. As director, his work was seen in the U.S., Canada, Europe, and the Middle East and includes the Middle Eastern premier of Arthur Milner’s Facts and an Arabic adaptation of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. His written work appeared in Alt.Theatre, Performance Paradigm, Critical Survey, Theatre Survey, and other academic and trade venues, including the anthology Stories Under Occupation and Other Plays from Palestine, co-edited with Gary English.![]() BETTY SHAMIEH (Denning Visiting Artist for Spring 2021) is an Arab-American playwright. Her American premieres include: The Black Eyed (New York Theatre Workshop), Fit for a Queen (Classical Theatre of Harlem), The Strangest (The Semitic Root), Territories (Magic Theatre) and Roar (The New Group). Selected as a New York Times Critics Pick, Roar is widely taught at universities throughout the United States. A graduate of Harvard College and the Yale School of Drama, Shamieh was named a Guggenheim Fellow, UNESCO Young Artist for Intercultural Dialogue, and a Radcliffe Playwriting Fellow. A Mellon Playwright in Residence at the Classical Theatre of Harlem, her works have been translated into seven languages. www.bettyshamieh.com |
Monday, February 22, 2021
All 13 Seasons of Ramzi Salti's Arabology Radio Show Available on Souncloud (101 Episodes)
All 13 seasons of Dr. Ramzi Salti's Arabology podcasts are available on Soundcloud, for a total of 101 episodes. Listen below or at https://soundcloud.com/arabology/sets/podcasts
Currently in its tenth year, this radio program/podcast began airing on KZSU 90.1 FM in 2011 with the aim of highlighting various cultural productions from/about the Arab world, with a special focus on indie/alternative music. The show is presented in English with commentary by its host, Stanford Lecturer Dr. Ramzi Salti.
With the beginning of the pandemic back in March 2020, the show has had to change formats and is now available as a series of audio-visual YouTube interviews with groundbreaking Arab musicians, poets, artists and more. To stay up to date with the latest episodes, please subscribe to Arabology's YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/RamziSalti
We are looking forward to resuming the audio posdcats as soon as the radio station reopens this year inshallah. In the meantime, feel free to peruse/enjoy all previous Arabology podcasts by listening below or going to https://soundcloud.com/arabology/sets/podcasts
Friday, February 12, 2021
أميرة البيلي والقصيدة التي أبكت مصر(أنا مليت)
Friday, February 5, 2021
10th Anniversary of Dr. Ramzi Salti's Arabology Program Features All Episodes on Soundcloud + YouTube
Currently in its tenth year, this radio program/podcast began airing on KZSU 90.1 FM in 2011 with the aim of highlighting various cultural productions from/about the Arab world, with a special focus on indie/alternative music. The show is presented in English with commentary by its host, Stanford Lecturer Dr. Ramzi Salti.
With the beginning of the pandemic back in March 2020, the show has had to change formats and is now available as a series of audio-visual YouTube interviews with groundbreaking Arab musicians, poets, artists and more. To stay up to date with the latest episodes, please subscribe to Arabology's YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/RamziSalti
We are looking forward to resuming the audio posdcats as soon as the radio station reopens this year inshallah. In the meantime, feel free to peruse/enjoy all previous Arabology podcasts by listening below or going to https://soundcloud.com/arabology/sets/podcasts
Wednesday, January 20, 2021
Ramzi Salti Recites Andalusian Poem رمزي سلطي يلقي قصيدة يا شقيق الروح
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Watch video at https://youtu.be/BKezCg5K438 |
- You can watch Fairuz singing this poem at https://youtu.be/6dnrCGMBzdw
- You can watch Fairuz's complete Al-Andalusiyat concert below or at https://youtu.be/O3UfnASTpJQ
Saturday, January 9, 2021
List of Arabology’s Top 30 Songs of 2020 (Includes Spotify + YouTube Playlists)
In lieu of my annual podcast in which I usually count down the Top 30 indie/alternative songs of the year, I am sharing this year a YouTube Playlist which includes Arabology's Top 30 songs of 2020. Playlist starts with Number 1 and goes down to 30.
You can listen to the songs, in order, on Spotify below (scroll down after list) or watch all 30 music videos on YouTube.
- Listen to the Spotify list below (scroll down after list) or at: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0JNZRpmJuZ3ZIXjm5t3NDP
Note that #13,14,29,30 have been replaced by songs by same artist since they are unavailable on Spotify - OR Watch all 30 music videos through our YouTube Playlist below (scroll down) or at:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLeLWDZIrxtQZklI3a-yVeLURURwz_dJ9R
1. Emsallam ft. Adan Wakeem - Aref Innak مسلّم مع عدن واكيم - عارف إنك
3. Bu Kolthoum - Mamnoun بو كلثوم - ممنون
4. Elsayed Agamy ft. Yusor - Raka W Raka السيد عجمي مع يسر - راقة و راقة
6. 47SOUL - Dabke System السبعة و أربعين - دبكة سيستم
7. Faraj Suleiman - Questions on My Mind فرج سليمان - في أسئلة براسي
8. Shabjdeed - NKD GLG (Prod. Al Nather) شب جديد - نكد چلچ
9. Cairokee - Kan Lak Ma’aya كايروكي - كان لك معايا
10. The Synaptik X Maysa Daw - Jowa Beiti السينابتيك مع ميساء ضو - جوا بيتي
12. Aziz Maraka - Mafi Mennik عزيز مرقة – ما في منك
13. El Far3i - Dry Clean (P. Arab Keyz) الفرعي - دراي كلين * إنتاج عرب كيز
14. Lynn Adib & Zeid Hamdan - Ya Habibi Ta’ala - يا حبيبي تعالَ
15. Autostrad - Istana Shwai أوتوستراد - استنى شوي
16. Marwan Asad Ft. The Synaptik X Mohamed Mansour - Qamarhen قمرهن
17. Shabjdeed - MANTIKA (Prod. Al Nather) شب جديد - منطقة
18. Tania Saleh - Ya Reit (I Wish) تانيا صالح - يا ريت
19. The Synaptik (Ft.الفرعي- El Far3i) - Dari- السينابتيك - داري
21. Souad Massi - Wakfa سعاد ماسي - واقفة
22. Nour Khan - Hazeena نورخان - حزينة
23. Jamaet Khair Ft. Aziz - El Hob El Bekir جماعة خير مع عزيز - الحب البكر
24. Tamer Nafar - Ili Al-Haq (تامر نفار - إلي الحق (وين بصرفوها هاي؟
25. Kuwaisiana (Ft Plus Aziz) - Bara7a (براحة)
26. Naima Shalhoub - Four (Roumieh Prison Blues) (feat. Excentrik & Marcus Shelby)
27. Massar Egbari (ft Asmaa) - Raghm El Masafa رغم المسافة - مسار اجباري مع أسماء أبو اليزيد
28. Chantal Bitar - Bel Haijr El-Sehi شانتال بيطار - بالحجر الصحّي
29. E M E L + Various Artists - Kelmti Horra (My Word Is Free) - Quarantine Session
30. Layth Sidiq – Grief Is a Journey (Instrumental) ليث صديق – الحزن رحلة
Sunday, December 27, 2020
New Year Video Message from Dr. Ramzi Salti's Arabology Program
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Watch at https://youtu.be/628MU8iTqzE |
Wednesday, December 16, 2020
Fairuz's "Khidni Ya Habibi" Translated into English by Dr. Ramzi Salti
Here is my modest attempt to translate Fairuz's song "Khidni Ya Habibi خدني يا حبيبي " [Take Me Away, My Love] from Arabic into English. This song has always had a special place in my heart, as does the operetta/musical Petra in which it was initially performed, back in 1978.
I have uploaded a special video of the song, with optional English subtitles, to my YouTube Channel. To view subtitles, start playing video then click on CC at bottom of video screen/window.
For bilingual English/version, scroll down.
Watch below or at https://youtu.be/Hi4-DAq72s8
An Egyptian man arrived one night
English Translation by Dr. Ramzi Salti |
Original Arabic Lyrics |
An Egyptian man arrived one night Carrying with him the mysteries of the Pyramids And the sublime color of the Nile He appeared out of nowhere and, like joy itself, He gave us hope. Take me away, my love To a house that has no doors Take me away, my love To the moon that guides the forgotten Leave me in a deep slumber on a clear, bright day Until the nights return, along with our loved ones My love, my love, my love Take me away, leave me behind Joy is on its way Your love consumes me While you have no companion O King of all Swords You took away the summer I imagine you everywhere Lost in the fog Take me away, my love Take me away, my love Leave me in a deep slumber On a clear and bright day My love, my love, my love There was once a little princess Who grew up too quickly Jealousy surrounded her And she had no wings to fly away They made her live in Palaces Surrounded by vast oceans But the Princess was too little And the oceans (doors) too vast Take me away, my love To a house that has no doors Take me away, my love To the moon that guides those who are lost Leave me in a deep slumber On a clear, bright day Until the nights return, along with our loved ones My love, my love, my love |
ببيروس اللي إجا من الليل حامل غموض الهرم ولون النيل وصل ع غفلة متل الفرح وأعطانا الأمل خدني يا حبيبي ع بيت مالو بواب خدني يا حبيبي ع قمر الغياب انساني بالغفا بأيام الصفا تترجع الليالي ويرجعوا الأحباب يا حبيبي يا حبيبي يا حبيبي خدني ولا تخدني الفرح ع الطريق حبك بيحصدني وما عندك رفيق يا أمير السيف وين أخدت الصيف بشوفك وما بشوفك وضايع بالضباب خدني يا حبيبي خدني يا حبيبي انساني بالغفا بأيام الصفا يا حبيبي يا حبيبي يا حبيبي في أميرة زغيرة انخطبت بكير رميوا عليها الغيرة وما بتعرف تطير سكنوها قصور خلف سبع بحور وزغيرة الأميرة وكبيرة البواب خدني يا حبيبي خدني يا حبيبي ع بيت مالو بواب خدني يا حبيبي ع قمر الغياب انساني بالغفا بأيام الصفا تترجع الليالي ويرجعوا الأحباب يا حبيبي يا حبيبي يا حبيبي |
Wednesday, December 9, 2020
Ramzi Salti Interviews +Aziz of Kuwaisiana (Arabology Online, December 2020)
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Watch this interview at https://youtu.be/Dd-qunnCnC0 |
Working in Arabic and English, Kuwaisiana is a full-bodied band producing a danceable, dynamic sound that draws on world music and indie rock. Led by Kuwaiti singer-songwriter +Aziz, the 6-piece blends funk, rock, ska with New Orleanian jazz, adding a unique twist to what Indie Arab Rock can sound like. Their followup is scheduled to be released on January 15, 2021.
Current Band Members of Kuwaisiana: +Aziz - vocals/guitar 🇰🇼 Matthieu - Drums 🇫🇷 Sam Levine - Bass 🇺🇲 Dehan Elçin - Trumpet 🇹🇷 Nick Ferreirae - Sax 🇺🇲 Patrick Driscoll - Hand percussion 🇺🇲 |
Lyrically, +Aziz explores the cultures he knows so well through his metaphor-rich lyrics, which sustain a tension between conversational and a more evocative, poetic perspective. Kuwaisiana is making progress at a time when so much of the world is in flux. Pre-order the EP at link below (to be released on January 15, 2021).
Wednesday, November 25, 2020
Ramzi Salti's Talk: Healing through Lebanese Music (EPIC Fellows, Stanford Global Studies, September 2020)
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Watch full talk at https://youtu.be/LzAaUrZEq8k |
Thursday, November 19, 2020
Dr. Ramzi Salti Interviews El Far3i about His Upcoming Crowdcast Concert on Dec 12, 2020
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Watch interview at https://youtu.be/cECHbrGFzBY |
Sunday, November 15, 2020
Ramzi Salti Interviews Hamed Sinno of Mashrou' Leila about his new musical projects, and life after COVID
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Watch this interview below or at https://youtu.be/-a2sOF_hhKw |
Tuesday, November 3, 2020
Ramzi Salti Interviews Groundbreaking Arab Rapper Emsallam (October 2020)
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Watch video at this link |
Monday, November 2, 2020
Ramzi Salti Interviews Shahina Osseiran, Daughter of late Lebanese Poet Jawdat Haydar
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Watch at https://youtu.be/0BZC5yrZkNI |
04:37 Verses about Arab Politicians (Deserts of Despair)
For more about Jawdat Haydar: http://jawdathaydar.org
Subscribe to Ramzi Salti's YouTube Channel at https://youtube.com/c/RamziSalti
Ramzi Salti's Talk: Healing through Lebanese Music (EPIC Fellows, Stanford Global Studies, September 2020)
Watch full talk at https://youtu.be/LzAaUrZEq8k This audio-visual talk by Stanford Lecturer + Arabology program host Dr. Ramzi Salti was pre...


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Join us on Wednesday, July 22, 2020 at 8:30 pm (PST) for an online conversation between Stanford Lecturer Dr. Ramzi Salti and Jordanian Di...
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Listen at https://soundcloud.com/arabology/dwnjmbwuoqga يمكنكم الاستماع الى قصة نجاح حانم شاهين عبر الرابط التالي Listen to Hatem ...
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Watch video at https://youtu.be/ZojLibSdLac Here is the link to my July 22 conversation with Fadi Haddad, Director of the iconic Jor...
