Syrine Ben Moussa is one of 1001tunisie favorite artists. To answer a few questions about her tastes, her hometown, her favorite dishes … In Paris, where she lives, Syrine Ben Moussa teaches all of Malouf Monday night at Baudricourt center in the 13th arrondissement of Paris.
Interview by Amel Djait
1001tunisie: You take introductory courses to the Andalusian songs in Paris. Tell us a little more. Who are your students? How many are they ? Are you Organizing a show at the end of the year?
Syrine Ben Moussa: My course is open to anyone passionate about the Arab-Andalusian singing and music in general. Whether beginners or insiders, students receive instruction appropriate to their expectations and their vocal ability. For me, the most important is to transmit my love and passion for this music.
In practice, how does this happens?
We work on breathing, body relaxation, the placement of the voice, pronunciation and diction, but also simplified musicological aspects. Beyond vocal practice, I offer participants a translation of texts with phonetic transcriptions for non-Arabic speakers.
We also address the dimension history and theory musicale courses .The course welcomes twelve people from diverse origines and different backgrounds as students, contractors, retirees, engineers …
They are all amateurs, very applied and devoted . We have organized for two years a year-end concert in a Paris theater where the group was accompanied by professional musicians.
You gave a great show “From Seville to Tunis” this summer during the Festival of Carthage. How was the concert? What memories do you keep?
“From Seville to Tunis” is an art project that brings together musicians from both shores of the Mediterranean through a mix of music and languages. We were ten on stage with a flamenco trio of Seville, Tunisian musicians and an algerien percussionist . The show was a great experience, especially as we were opening off at the Basilica Saint-Cyprien. The space was fully booked with a wonderful audience of music lovers.
I was delighted to present my creation in Tunisia, after various representations in Algeria and France Paris, and very pleased to participate in the prestigious Festival of Carthage.
When you are in Tunisia, what are your places, flavors and favorite places?
Actually, everything depends on the seasons. This summer, my heart was shot to Korba. It must be said that Tunisia is really rich in landscapes and heritage.
That said, I still have some rituals and often solo: a walk in the Medina of Tunis, Turkish coffee in Sidi Bou Said, a Tunisian sandwich and a brick by the old way (Brika bel warqa) to the SAFSAF La Marsa. My program also imperatively includes a complete fish at the Goulette with the family where I love Café Verde and La Spigola.
I’m really a fan of the Tunisian gastronomy and delighted to have excellent restaurants such as Dar el Jeld. Last year, I was pleasantly surprised by the restaurant El M’Rabet coffee. My French guest was thrilled!
My program also includes a stop in Testour especially.
And in terms of flavors and shopping?
I bring all of Tunisia: From the olive oil, spices, couscous, mhammes, nwasser, hlalem, mloukhiyya …
I love to cook and especially share and discover our traditions.
I remember that for my thesis at the Sorbonne pot, I organized a Tunisian buffet. I had everything set in hammered brass trays bought from a craftsman and added boxes with descriptions for each dish and drink. I liked to explain our traditional pastries, banadhej, mini stewed , mini tagines, the roe, the glasses of assida the almond syrup and pistachios, liqueurs …
You are native Testour. What is the best plan for sightseeing? Do you have favorite places to share with readers of 1001tunisie?
I am from Testour and very proud of my Moorish origins. It there’s a lot of things to see including the great mosque and the house of Habiba Messika.
Founded in 1609 by Moorish Testour refugees it is rich in its soil, its culture, its history and ancient architecture. The city is home to several monuments (mosques, Zaouias …) and is characterized by rich and diverse handicrafts: weaving (Jebba, kachabia, mergoum …), pottery and building materials (tiles, bricks …), cheese cottage industry …
Testour is also the stronghold of Malouf and Arab-Andalusian music in Tunisia.
And in food? What are the specialties of Testour?
A Testour, you could enjoy excellent grenades and succulent apricots!
We have a very rich culinary heritage as “banadhej” stuffed with saffron lamb, “kisales” (semolina and cheese), the “sfenj” (kind of donuts prepared for ceremonies), the traditional pasta with saffron and lamb meat breaded with cheese “maqrounet labari” or the “marqa hlowa” which is a sweet and savory stew with prunes and dried fruit!
Can you tell us the story of the song “Ya tounes”
I wrote and composed it at the time of the revolution in 2011. I had never written before, but I had a huge need to externalize my fears.
I had the catch for the melody, an hour before my time on radio France Culture, January 21, 2011. The show was dedicated to Tunisia and Live was very moving. The musicians agreed to improvise and go with me. It was magical !
(To listen to “ya Tounes”)
What do you think of the political situation in Tunisia? Are you disappointed with the revolution?
Disappointed with broken promises! Disappointed that there is so much division and hatred. Unfortunately, the thirst for power is stronger than the ideas with some people. But hey, you have to be confident and optimistic. We have still a lot of skills in this country and we will get there!
What do you think of the Tunisian musical art scene? What are the main voices you enjoy?
The art scene is marked by the emergence of new projects. I am very happy with certain musical successes like “Ziara” by Sami Lejmi, “Perfume” by Mohamed Ali Kammoun, “Safar” by Imed Alibi or “Fallaga” by Nasreddine Chebli.
Otherwise, I am very sensitive and nostalgic classics like the great Tunisian song like Naama, Oulaya, Ali Riahi, Jouini …
What are your plans for 2017?
Musically, I just had a proposal for the artistic direction of a Paris festival and is also working on a new creation.
2017 will be a studious year. I am preparing an MBA in e-business, after a Doctorate in Musicology and Master in Management of audiovisual and digital heritage.
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