The play "Zikra: A Night of Memories" was performed at the Baku International Arts Festival

On October 31, the performance "Zikra: A Night of Memories" was presented at the Azerbaijan State Academic National Drama Theatre as part of the Baku International Arts Festival (BIAF-2026). The performance was created by commission of "Wadi AlFann," a contemporary art venue in Al-Ula, Saudi Arabia.

The author of the work is director and choreographer Akram Khan; he worked on the project together with visual director Manal AlDowayan, and also created the stage design and costume design himself. The performance is presented in partnership with the Culture Foundation under the Department of Culture and Tourism of Abu Dhabi.

"Zikra," which means "memory" in Arabic, is structured as a one-night ritual: women gather and attempt to awaken the spirits of those who lived before them, connecting the past with the present through ceremony and shared memories. The original music was written by Indian-American singer and composer Aditya Prakash, and more than 40 international performers took part in the preparation, including local musicians from Al-Ula. The project was created within the framework of cooperation with "Madrasat Addeera," the Al-Ula Music Center and the local community.