More than three decades after her death, Umm Kulthum is still recognized as one of Egypt’s most famous and distinguished singers of the 20th century. Now a major new exhibition in Paris pays tribute to her as well…

Taken from Wikipedia


Umm Kulthum Ebrahim Elbeltagi was born in 1904 in the Tamay ez-Zahayra village in El Senbellawein, Dakahlia Governorate, Egypt. After proving herself to be a gifted young singer, she soon became a popular star, touring round the country and appearing a few films (although apparently she stopped because there was no direct contact with the audience).

Her proto-feminist attitude in a male-dominated world drew criticism from some but admiration from most, and her death in 1975 shocked Egypt to such a degree that over 4 million people attended her funeral.

Umm Kulthum studied at the Sorbonne and loved French literature. President Charles de Gaulle called her “The Lady” and her only live performance outside of the Arab world was at the Olympia in Paris in 1976. It seems fitting then that her popular and continued success (a million of her records are still sold every year) should now given birth to an exhibition at Paris’ Institut du Monde Arabe, organised into four complementary sections:

– The Egyptian. This first section looks at the singer’s origins and the socio-political context in Egypt at that time.
– The talent. An attempt to explain the unprecedented success of Umm Kulthum by studying her music, lyrics but above all her voice. The six films that she starred in will be shown, as well as some of her record sleeves, dresses and personal effects.
– The Commitment. A look at Umm Kulthum’s proto-feminist stance, her unifying effect on the Arab world, her patriotism and her desire to contribute to the evolution of Egyptian society.
– The Legacy. Contemporary artists create works inspired by the life and music of Umm Kulthum.

You will also be able to rest and sip a hot beverage at the Umm Kulthum Café (many cafés in Egypt took this name as a homage to the singer)!

Several other events are organised around the exhibition, including a recital of her songs as part of the Fête de la Musique, activities for kids and an all-night showing of her films on Saturday 27th September from 9pm to 5am (with free oriental breakfast afterwards!)

Here’s all the essential information for the Umm Kulthum exhibition at the Institut du Monde Arabe in Paris

When: 17th June – 2nd November 2008
Where: The Medina of the Institut du Monde Arabe (entrance by the plaza in front in the building), 1 rue des Fossés St Bernard, Paris 5th arrondissement. Métro Cardinal Lemoine (line 10), Jussieu (lines 7 & 10), Sully-Morland (line 7)
Opening hours: Tuesdays – Fridays, 10am – 6pm, weekends and public holidays 10am – 7pm
Admission: Adults 7 euros, concessions 5 euros, 4 euros for anyone under 26 years old, free for the under 12s, adults accompanied by a child pay just 5 euros, various other tariffs if you decide to see the permanent exhibition as well
More info: here

Bigger map here