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Digital Phablet – Assala and Ebru Gündeş captivate audiences with an unforgettable concert in Riyadh.
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Assala and Ebru Gündeş dazzled the crowd with a performance that will be remembered by art enthusiasts and future generations long after the conclusion of Riyadh Season’s sixth season of musical concerts. The event received support and oversight from His Excellency Turki Al-Sheikh, Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority. The show was organized and managed by Rotana Music Group.
A major milestone in Assala’s career was marked by her performance at the Mohammed Abdo Arena—Emirates NBD Bank in Riyadh. The highlight was a breathtaking duet with Turkish artist Ebru Gündeş, performed before a full house and broadcast live on Rotana FM radio and TV.
Assala performed 23 songs and traditional mawwals (improvised folk singing), segmented into six musical sections with an orchestra led by Maestro Tamer Faydi. She showcased her impressive vocal versatility by singing in seven languages: Moroccan, Gulf, Egyptian, Turkish, Kurdish, and Lebanese.
Her set began with “Bil Farah” (With Joy), followed by “Ya Khali” (Oh My Uncle), where she recounted reconnecting with her uncle after two decades. She also performed “Kifokom” (How Are You?), “Hadiqat Thalj” (Snow Garden), “Sou’al Basit” (A Simple Question), “Kol El Tafaseel” (All the Details), “Al Hob Al Abadi” (Eternal Love)—a duet she previously performed with Majid Al Mohandis—”Insan” (Human), “Ya Majnoon” (Oh Crazy One), “Ana Ahebbak” (I Love You), “Sayed El Gharam” (Master of Love), “Ba’dak Anni” (Your Absence From Me), “Hanin” (Longing), “Akthar” (More) with Gündeş, “Al Farq Al Kabeer” (The Big Difference), “Ishtaqtilak” (I Miss You), “Sawahha Qalbi” (My Heart Did It), “Ghammed Oyounak” (Close Your Eyes), “Rouh Najdiyah” (Najd Spirit), “Shuft Ghadar” (I Saw Treachery), and wrapped up with “Irfa’ Rasak Fouq” (Raise Your Head High).
She expressed gratitude to the General Entertainment Authority, His Excellency Turki Al-Sheikh, Rotana, Ebru Gündeş, and Saudi Arabia at the end of her message. “I pray to God that I will always live up to your expectations… and I promise to be dedicated and honor your trust,” she stated.
Additionally, Assala shared that she is collaborating with Rotana on a collection of 14 songs representing all 14 governorates of Syria. To her fans, she presented the folk song “Dabke Arab” (Arab Dabke) from Homs as a heartfelt gift.
Sharing photos from the night on Instagram, she wrote, “Like a dream… its touch is soothing for my soul, a kiss on my heart, and a landmark in my journey.” She also opened up about her pre-birth anxiety, reminiscing, “I was anxious for nights, sleeping no more than two or three hours, overwhelmed with thoughts I wanted to share.”
She also voiced her appreciation for the artists’ collective power to unite hearts. “Together, we experienced the strength of art to bring people closer… I am thankful our paths crossed and that music united us,” she added.
Her performance marked more than just a concert; it represented a significant cultural moment, blending traditional music with innovative ideas, multilingual exchanges, and friendships that crossed borders. The event highlighted how music can serve as a universal language.
Over 15,000 fans, including some of the Middle East’s most renowned singers, gathered to witness Ebru Gündeş and Assala sharing the stage.
She further conveyed her gratitude: “Despite the fame and success, I’m reminded that art’s true power is to connect people—beyond language, beyond borders.”
Meanwhile, Ebru Gündeş shared a video on Instagram captioned, “Music is the strongest bond that transcends languages… Meeting my talented friend Assala, whose voice is unmatched in the Middle East, for this special duet blending Turkish and Arabic was beyond words.”
Notably, the performance fee for Gündeş attracted significant attention, rumored to be around 20 million TL for just one hour of performance. That evening, she joined Assala on stage, singing “Gönlümün Efendisi” and “Aktar” in both Turkish and Arabic, earning high praise from attendees.
The official response regarding her fee remains confidential.
She concluded by saying, “Together, we felt art’s incredible power to unite hearts… I am grateful our paths crossed and that music brought us together.”
Her evening in Riyadh was more than just a musical event; it was a milestone for the arts—an impressive blend of tradition and innovation, language and friendship, demonstrating that music truly has the power to unite all people.
More than 15,000 signed on to experience the magic of Gündeş and Assala performing side by side, creating memories that will last a lifetime.
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