The name ‘iyatra’ comes from the Hindi word for pilgrimage and the group embraces a sense of journey in every performance, bringing a classical sensibility to a jazz-like approach. You will hear original arrangements of songs from Syria and new collaborations, taking you on a journey from deeply moving expression to joyous song and vibrant rhythms.

The core quartet plays violin, bass clarinet, cello and percussion and in this concert includes as guests two outstanding members of the Orchestra of Syrian Musicians – Basel Saleh on oud and Mohammad Saleh on qanun. The musicians met at a street party in memory of Jo Cox MP. They’ve performed at the Being Human Festival, WOMAD, London International Arts Festival and Bloomsbury Festival.

A must-see event for those who came to see the Orchestra of Syrian Musicians at our inaugural Politics Festival in 2017.

There are over five million Syrian refugees outside Syria, making it the biggest refugee crisis of our time. This Syrian Saturday introduces some of the musicians who are living through this – both in refugee camps and living in the UK. It celebrates the beauty of Syrian culture and laments its destruction.

‘A band who live by their wits and produce something different each night’ ★★★★★ fRoots
‘exquisite polyphony… certainly a journey worth joining’ ★★★★ Songlines Magazine
‘a flavour of dizzy Balkan revelry’ The Telegraph