Concert | El Khat (YEM)

About

Founded in 2019, El Khat draws inspiration from the rich traditions of Yemeni music.

The band’s founder, Eyal El Wahab, has a personal story that mirrors the complex history of the region his family comes from. In the 1950s, his grandparents emigrated from Yemen to Israel, bringing with them only fragments of their heritage. One tangible piece of that heritage was a collection of cassette tapes with traditional Yemeni music, kept by his grandmother. Although Eyal grew up surrounded by the sounds of the local synagogue, at some point the urge to explore his ancestral heritage became central to his sense of identity. This led him to immerse himself in Yemeni musical traditions.

Yemen has long faced war, natural disasters, poverty, and famine. While such associations are hard to escape, El Khat aims to reveal another side of the region — its vibrant musical culture. Eyal’s work doesn’t shy away from heavier sounds or difficult themes such as migration, leaving behind people and places — experiences that belong not only to his ancestors but to him personally. Since 2023, he has lived in Berlin, and, as he admits, he feels he may never settle anywhere permanently.

El Khat performs on instruments Eyal builds himself from tin cans and other simple materials. These handmade creations allow him to capture the texture of old Yemeni recordings from decades past.

The band’s name refers to khat (Catha edulis), a plant widely used across the Arabian Peninsula, including Yemen, for its psychoactive effects. Chewing its fresh leaves is said to induce euphoria and increase energy and endurance. Similarly, El Khat’s music aims to transport listeners into another reality — while also challenging them through the fusion of tradition with modern elements and the exploration of complex life experiences.

In Lublin, El Khat will present a set of original compositions that look at Yemen’s sonic past through a contemporary lens.

Details

When: 24 August, 19.30
Where: Festival Stage, Błonia near the Castle
Admission free

Accessibility

uneven grassy terrain

accessible without knowing the language