Oüm: Fouad Boussouf pays tribute to Oum Kalthoum in Paris

The voice of Oum Kalthoum and the poetry of Omar Khayyam are the starting point for Oüm, a piece by Fouad Boussouf presented at the Théâtre du Rond-Point, January 14–17, 2027. Six dancers perform alongside two musicians playing live.

The choreographer discovered the Persian poet’s writings through songs by the Egyptian singer, which he heard growing up in Morocco. The piece draws on both legacies to explore love, intoxication and the desire to live. It does not trace the singer’s biography; instead, it brings these inspirations to life through bodies and music.

• To be read
• The best things to do this week, November 9–15, 2026, in Paris and Île-de-France

The choreography draws on urban, traditional and contemporary influences. The music brings together the oud, percussion and vocals of Mohanad Aljaramani with Lucien Zerrad’s guitar and oud. This live instrumental presence gives room for an exchange between the performers on stage and the musicians, going beyond simply playing recordings of Oum Kalthoum.

The cast brings together Nadim Bahsoun, Yumio Chanoki, Filipa Correia Lescuyer, Marcus Diallo, Lola Ruscica and Ismaël Belabid-Lenoir. Mona El Yafi works on the dramaturgy, while Raymond Sarti is responsible for the set design. Revived by Le Phare, the Centre chorégraphique national du Havre Normandie, this one-hour performance is aimed in particular at audiences interested in the connections between contemporary dance and live music, as well as in the way poetry finds its way into song.

This page may contain AI-assisted elements, more information here.