Moroccan singer and songwriter Karim Ziad performed his critically acclaimed album "El Ghorba" at the historic Estudi General Lul·lià in Barcelona. The artist, originally from the coastal city of Asilah, uses the album's title—an Arabic term for estrangement or exile—to delve into the complex emotions of displacement and longing for home.
The concert, part of a series of cultural events, featured the album performed entirely in Darija, the Moroccan Arabic dialect. Ziad, recognized as a significant musical voice in recent years, blends traditional Gnawa and Andalusian influences with contemporary jazz and world music rhythms in his work.
In interviews surrounding the performance, Ziad has described "El Ghorba" as a personal and universal reflection on the immigrant experience, capturing both the melancholy of separation and the resilience of cultural identity. The Barcelona performance was noted for its intimate atmosphere, connecting the themes of the music with the venue's historical academic and cultural significance.
