Ya Rayah, performed by violinist Nir Sarussi, is part of the ‘All the World is a Stage’ project. Wysinfo initiated this project in order to encourage international cooperation through culture.
To watch other performances that are part of this project, follow this link
Wysinfo – ‘All the World is a Stage Project’ Front Page.
About the music
‘Ya Rayah’ (يا رايح) was performed by Nir Sarussi and his fellow musicians in Kikar Tzion (Zion), Jerusalem. The music was written by the Algerian composer Dahmane El Harrachi in 1973. This song is a ballad about the choices and challenges that an emigrant confronts. In the 1990’s, it was performed by the French-Algerian singer Rachid Taha. Soon after the song became a hit all over the world.
The video also integrates, towards the end, two melodies by Ahuva Ozeri (1948 – 2016) an Israeli singer, songwriter and composer: Valley of Flowers and Pa’amonim (bells).
About the author of Ya Rayah
Dahmane El Harrachi (1926-1980), former Abderrahmane Amrani, wrote Ya-Rayah in 1973.
He was born in Algeria and specialized in traditional Algerian folk music. His song Ya-Rayah made him one of the best exported and translated Chaabi (folk) musicians of Algeria.
He moved to France in 1949. After living for a while in Lille and in Marseille, he eventually settled in Paris, playing in various Algerian cafés and night clubs.
El Harrachi’s music brought a modern touch to châabi, introducing themes that were related to the feelings of unsettled populations like those of struggling emigrants. His music has inspired new generation of Algerian raï artists, including Rachid Taha
About the performers
Violinist Nir Sarussi was born in Afula, Israel, and began studying the violin at the age of 9. Already in his early years, he was considered a gifted musician with highly developed musical abilities. Nir is a graduate of the Rubin Academy of Music in Jerusalem and holds a music teaching certificate from the Hebrew University. He specializes in various musical styles, including: Balkan, Gypsy, Irish, classical, country, ethnic, Hasidic, Jewish Klezmer and more.
In the videos Nir is accompanied by by two talented musicians: Matan Mizrahi, playing accordion, and Anatoly Magdalinskiy on the drums.
About the location
Tzion (Zion) Square is located at the intersection of Jaffa Road, Ben Yehuda Street, Herbert Samuel Street, and Yoel Moshe Salomon Street. The square was named for the Zion Cinema, which was the first cinema in Jerusalem.
The cinema, which screened silent movies, was built in 1912. It was actually a huge shed that contained some 400 seats. In 1920 it collapsed under a heavy snowfall in the city and was reconstructed as a 600-seat theater. Soon after, the square became a center of cultural activity. Street performances took place, and restaurants and coffee houses popped up.
Although the Zion cinema does not exist anymore, the cultural flavor and activity remained and in fact intensified. Today, the area is defined as a zone that is free of cars, containing shops, small hotels, museums, a music center, street performances, cafes and restaurants.
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