Home / Arts and Entertainment / Macalla: Bridging Worlds Through Music
Macalla: Bridging Worlds Through Music
26 Jan
Summary
- Musicians from Ireland and Iraq formed the Macalla ensemble.
- The group fuses traditional Irish melodies with Iraqi music.
- Instruments like the Irish harp and Middle Eastern qanun feature.
The Macalla ensemble is creating a new cultural narrative by uniting musicians from Londonderry's North West Folk Collective and Iraq's Mshakht Collective. This cross-cultural collaboration, three years in the making, recently captivated audiences at Celtic Connections, a major international folk and world music festival. The group's performances highlight traditional instruments that have endured through periods of displacement and conflict.
Led by composer and bouzouki player Martin Coyle, Macalla means 'echo' in Irish, reflecting the ensemble's aim to mirror instrumentation across their diverse musical traditions. Their repertoire often features recognizable Irish melodies recontextualized with Iraqi elements. This fusion respects the original tunes, keeping melodies central while introducing new layers and perspectives. Key instruments include the Irish harp, the Middle Eastern qanun, oud, and various percussion.
The project, supported by the British Council, involved an early visit by Irish musicians to Iraq. Although a planned performance at the Nineveh Peace Festival was disrupted by a local fire, this visit proved crucial in shaping relationships and artistic ideas. During this trip, the Irish artists connected with the Mshakht collective, formed in 2017 to foster cultural exchange in northern Iraq. The Mshakht members, whose name translates to 'nomads' or 'travellers,' found the British Council's initiative aligned with their philosophy of building bridges through music.
Musicians like oud player Saman Kareem noted that the collaboration introduced new concepts beyond music, offering fresh perspectives on their own cultural heritage. The ensemble is now focusing on future collaborations, aiming to bring the project back to Iraq and explore opportunities in Ireland, with aspirations of performing at major festivals like the Fleadh. They are beginning to see the "fruits of the collaboration" as they develop new compositions informed by their shared experiences over the past few years. The British Council views Macalla as an exemplary project demonstrating how music can bridge cultures, foster understanding, and inspire global creativity.
