Saleh Abdulbaki
Yemen Times
Brass bands play an important role in the present time. Their importance stems from their use in receiving honorable guest of presidents, kings and top officials. They are also used in national festivals. They have had a special musical function. In Yemen they also perform some Yemeni folklore which stir passion and enthusiasm of the audience. These musical bands were not known until the Quaiteih Sultanate in Hadramout entitled the establishment of the first national band.
In the past, Hadramout used to be divided into two Sultanates: al-Quaiteih, otherwise known as Hadramout al-Sahel, whose capital is Mukala and the Qatheiriah Sultanate, otherwise known as Hadramout al-Dakhel, which Sayoon is its capital. Western musical instruments were not available during the time. This made the ruler Awadh bin Mohammed al-Quaiti pass orders to establish the first elementary musical band called al-Turambitah which is composed of four popular trumpets and two drums. The band was to participate in the national festivals of the al-Quaiteih Sultanate. Band members were from Hadramout headed by Faraj Abdulnasir. The band was affiliated to the Quaiti army. The band also participated in the festivals of the Britaish Monarch, King Gorge IV's accession to the throne. The festivals were held in India in which Turambitah took part. It was highly applauded by the Indians. It was the strangest band in the festival. When Sultan Ghaleb bin Awadh came to power, he added another musical band composed of western instruments, played by Indian musicians. Haidar Abad headed by Donside Khan. The second band used to play Indian and western music while the first one played Arab music. The two bands remained affiliated with the army and took parts in national festivals. However, the first band was replaced by the second band upon the death of the ruler Omar. A number of youths from Hadramout, including the late great artist Mohammed Joma'ah Khan, Abeed Salem Ba Essa, Awadh ba Hassan, etc., joined the band at the age of 15 for 3 riyals as a monthly salary. After 27 years in the band, he was promoted to lead the band. Then he was the head until the reign of the ruler Saleh Bin Ghaleb who showed interest in the band and supported it. Only then Juma'ah retired and a new leader from al-Benjab came. Lots of resources were granted to the band to improve its performance. Donside Khan used western instruments including the trumpet. He, furthermore, trained many youths the basics of reading the musical notes. This was the first time the musical note was used in Hadramout. The band was the most modern band ever in the South of the Arabian Peninsula. The band was composed of twenty musicians playing various instruments. The band continued to take part in national festivals. Artists of the band also were allowed to participate in wedding ceremonies for fixed fares. The band remained affiliated to the army in Mukala. However, according to instructions of the Sultan the band became affiliated with the civil institutions. It was called the Sultanate Music and was also supported by the government.
In conclusion, building this band paved the way for the brass band now working in the military body. This has also led to the setting up of musical institutions from which many musicians have graduated.

The Turkish school in Sanaa had on Thursday held its annual bazaar and the scientific exhibition. The ceremony was attended by the Turkish ambassador to Yemen, Mr Ahmet Demirbag, Mr Mahmoud Said and Ahmed Al-Nounu from the ministry of education and a large audience estimated at 1500 visitors.
The festival began at 10 o'clock a.m. with an opening speech by Mr Faruk Yanik, chairman of the school board. The school students began after that performing some activities included songs, plays and a fashion show of folkloric costumes representing some Yemeni areas, some Arab and foreign countries. The event had then included opening of a scientific exhibition prepared by students of the school exhibiting scientific experiments such as generating electricity out of lemon, invisible ink, lighting cigarettes by with water, simple reactors, water clocks, experiments of pressure in addition to making simple instruments from cardboard, such as telescope and thermometers.
A large number of local and foreign companies took part in the bazaar, particularly Seren company. The ceremony also included a wing for Turkish dishes and desserts that was received with good admiration of the audience. L'amour musical ensemble had played a group of distinguished musical pieces that entertained all. At the end of the ceremony there was a draw for valuable prizes.
It is worth mentioning that the Turkish school in Sanaa was inaugurated in 1998 and the most important of its missions is developing education in Yemen. Scientific materials are taught in English while literary ones in Arabic. The school, which consists both elementary and secondary stages, is licensed by the Yemeni ministry of education.

The Arab Intellectual Forum in Egypt celebrated on Sunday evening 21/5/2001 the 11th anniversary of Yemen's unification. The event which took place aboard Assaraya ship in Al-Zamalek and was attended by a number of Yemeni and Arab diplomats, politicians, poets, critics, etc.
Chairman of the Forum welcomed the participants and briefed them on the struggle history of Yemenis until they achieved unity. At the end of his speech he wished Yemen and Yemenis property and progress.
The celebration was managed by Al-Wirdnai Nasif, Editing Manager of Al-Siasy Al-Misry newspaper who presented a collection of verses by him, Al-Baradoni, Abdulrahman Al-Amrani and Nizar Qabbani.
Among the participating poets were also Eyman Al-Akawi Abu Sinnah, Jalal Abdeen, Ameer Abdu Al-Monem, Ahmad Ibraheem, Ibraheem Abu Taleb, Iyhab Al-Shabshi and others. All poems presented what Arabs feel for Yemenis and their unity. Then Singer Manal enchanted the audiences with her melodies voice while singing a number of national songs. Then the 9-year old, Suad Mohammed Taha recited and greeted the forum. Then Judge Mohammed b. Qasem Al-Shami, member of the Supreme Court presented a poet highlighting the bravery of the Egyptians thought their struggle against colonization until they achieved independence.

The French Cultural Center (FCC) is currently holding a program entitled, "Yemen Detours" in Sanaa and Aden, which started on May 23rd and will last until May 31st.

"Detours": A detour is a journey to the scenic backstreets of Yemen. Far from the traditional tourist clichés, this detour finds beauty in surprising places.

Last year, the French Cultural Center invited the French photographer Anna PUIG ROSADO to take pictures of the streets of Yemen. She focused her lenses on the walls and gamarias of Yemen. Afterwards in France, she teamed with the short story writer Jabbar YASSINE. Together, they created the book "Yemen Detours" in which her pictures and his short story "The Secret of the Crest" blend to create a surprising balade set in the streets of the "Arabia Felix".
At the invitation of the FCC, the two authors along with editor Sandrine ARGOULT arrived to Sanaa and Aden to present their work and lead the week's activities.
The French Cultural Center will hold the exhibition of the pictures from Mrs Puig Rosado together with some excerpts from Mr. Yassine short stories starting from today May, 28th to June, 30th. The exhibition "Yemen Detours" will be open to the public five days a week from 9 a.m - 1 p.m and from 4 p.m to 8 p.m, on the 2nd Floor of the CCF.
For three days, one French and one Arabic short stories will be presented simultaneously. First, in the French Cultural Center of Aden, in the 23rd of May, at 5.00 the editor who is specialized in Arabic book writing read a selection of works she has edited. On 29th of May, at 6.00 pm in the French Cultural Center of Sanaa, Mr. Yassine and Mr. Jamal Jobran will give readings from their works. Then, on the 30th of May, at 6.00 pm, there will be a poetry reading of Yemeni and Palestinian short stories.
The book "Yemen Detours" unites photographs and short stories, real images and metaphors. The pictures themselves are an exploration of both street scenery and life inside the home ; they go back and forth between the exterior beauty of the streets and mystery inside the houses. FCC chooses to hold these cross cultural events in order to honor the wandering spirit of the book. These events will enhance both plastic and literary art. Traveling in the space, traveling from one genre to another, the program is not a documentary about Yemen but an evocation of various point of view and emotions from one photographer, one writer and one editor. The FCC is pleased to invite everybody to participate to this adventure.

In its initiative for the first time since 1990, the Ministry of Culture has decided to re-activate the cultural and artistic activity in the country and push the innovative work forward after it has been missed for several years.
For that, Minister of Culture Abdul Wahab Al-Rohani has recalled some of those who worked in this field throughout Yemen to be acquainted with the standing issues which hinder the innovative proceedings in the country.
The minister demanded that they put their visions and opinions for a forthcoming working plan by virtue of their abilities towards executing objective achievements.
Aden, one of the Yemeni governorates, has introduced its own vision which is based on presenting a monthly artistic show and a quarterly theatrical show which will be directly supported by the cultural bureau of Aden.
Its to be mentioned that the suggestions given by the bureau of Aden will contribute, in the case of being approved by the ministry, to flourishing the creative domains and giving chances to the artists as musicians, actors and private and official troupes to create and innovate more.