Le Trio Joubran | Closing Concert

What?

Three brothers, three ouds, and twenty years of playing together. Le Trio Joubran – one of the world’s most recognizable Palestinian ensembles – is celebrating its anniversary with a special project in which music becomes a space for memory, connection, and transcending boundaries.

Samir, Wissam, and Adnan Joubran come from a family in which the art of crafting and playing the oud has been passed down from generation to generation. It is the sound of this traditional Arabic stringed instrument that lies at the heart of their artistry. The three ouds engage in a constant dialogue—sometimes subtle and almost intimate, sometimes incredibly dynamic – blending Palestinian musical tradition with a contemporary compositional language.

Who?

Le Trio Joubran is a trio composed of three brothers from Palestine – Samir, Wissam, and Adnan Joubran – descendants of a family of luthier and oud players whose tradition spans four generations. From their great-grandfather, through their grandfather, to their father, the oud has been passed down in the family as a craft, a passion, and a way of life.

For over two decades, the three brothers have been developing a unique musical language based on three ouds, three individual voices, and an extraordinary bond on stage. Their music, rooted in Palestinian culture and heritage, combines composition, improvisation, and virtuosity, expanding the possibilities of the oud and bringing its sound to audiences around the world.

In addition to their international concert career, Le Trio Joubran has composed music for acclaimed films, including Julian Schnabel’s Miral, “5 Broken Cameras” by Emad Burnat and Guy Davidi, and “Muhammad: The Messenger of God” by Majid Majidi. Their film work has garnered international acclaim, including awards for Best Music at the Dubai International Film Festival in 2009 and 2012.

Their career was also honored with the Award for Artistic Achievement from the Arab Thought Foundation in Beirut in 2013, the Palestinian Order of Merit and Excellence in 2013, and the Zyriab Award for virtuosity at the International Oud Festival in Tetouan in 2016.

For Whom?

The concert is aimed at both those interested in Arabic music and Palestinian culture, as well as those who are simply looking for music that transcends the simple divisions between traditional, classical, and contemporary music. You don’t need to be familiar with Le Trio Joubran’s work or the oud itself beforehand – the closing concert of the Festival of Many Cultures can be an excellent first introduction to its distinctive, deep sound. It’s also an event for those for whom music is a way to learn about the history and experiences of other communities. The event has no age restrictions.

Why is it worth it?

The Łódź of Many Cultures Festival views culture not as a static collection of traditions tied to specific places, but as something that is constantly in motion – it travels, encounters other languages and forms, changes, and at the same time helps preserve memory and a sense of belonging. The music of Le Trio Joubran perfectly embodies this way of thinking. It is deeply rooted in Palestinian heritage, yet for twenty years it has been performing on international stages, engaging in dialogue with other musical traditions and successive generations of listeners.

In 2026, the presence of Palestinian artists at the Festival also carries special significance. The Trio’s concert does not reduce the Palestinian experience to current politics or to an image of conflict. It allows listeners to encounter Palestinian culture through its own artistic language – music, poetry, memory, and multigenerational tradition. Mahmoud Darwish’s voice and the sound of three ouds create a space where personal and collective experiences can be shared without having to simplify them into a political message.

At the same time, the concert conveys an idea particularly close to the Festival’s heart: continuity does not have to mean immutability. It is possible to preserve one’s own history and identity while remaining open to encounter, change, and the creation of new languages. This is precisely why Le Trio Joubran’s concert is a story about culture as a form of memory, continuity, and hope.

Accessibility

The Concert Hall of the Grażyna and Kiejstut Bacewicz Academy of Music is accessible to people with disabilities. All floors are accessible by elevator, and the auditorium features specially designed seating for wheelchair users. There is a parking lot with space for 70 cars next to the building.