Legends of The East : A LAYMOUN Night

Brought FAIRUZ WARDA and OUM KALTHOUM to the Stage

On June 5, Laymoun hosted Legends of the East – The Levant, the Atlas & the Nile at the University of Ottawa’s UCU Théâtre des Anciens, bringing together live vocals, oud, percussion, and community for an intimate celebration of three women who transformed Arabic music.

From the moment the doors opened, the theatre carried a feeling of warmth and anticipation. Guests gathered to revisit music that has travelled across borders, filled family homes, and connected generations throughout the Arab world. With its warm lighting and intimate stage, the venue created the perfect setting for an evening shaped by memory, culture, and timeless sound.

The evening featured a powerful live performance by Rima Telmun, whose vocals guided the audience through the musical legacies of Fairuz, Warda, and Oum Kalthoum. Accompanied by oud and percussion, her performance brought each artist’s distinct musical world to the stage while giving the songs a fresh and intimate energy.

From the Levantine spirit of Fairuz to the strength and emotion of Algeria’s Warda and the unforgettable musical legacy of Egypt’s Oum Kalthoum, the performance travelled through different regions of the Arab world. Each song carried its own history, yet together they told a larger story about Arab identity, artistry, and the women whose voices helped shape generations.

One of the most meaningful parts of the evening was seeing how the music connected people of different ages and backgrounds. Some guests had grown up hearing these songs in their homes, through their parents, or during family gatherings. Others were discovering them in a live setting for the first time. In that shared theatre space, the music became a bridge between memory and discovery.

Legends of the East was more than a tribute concert. It was a celebration of Arab women whose artistry changed music forever. Fairuz, Warda, and Oum Kalthoum did more than perform songs—they carried the emotions, stories, and identities of entire communities through their voices.

At a time when the Arab world is often presented through division and hardship, this evening offered another image: one shaped by creativity, strength, elegance, and cultural connection. It reminded the audience that Arab history is also the history of extraordinary women whose work continues to inspire people across countries and generations.

For Laymoun, Legends of the East represented another important step in creating thoughtful cultural experiences in Ottawa. Following tribute nights, live performances, and community celebrations, the event continued Laymoun’s mission of presenting Middle Eastern culture in ways that feel polished, meaningful, and open to everyone.

To everyone who attended, performed, supported, shared the event, purchased a ticket, or believed in the vision: thank you. You helped turn Legends of the East into more than a concert. You helped create a space where culture was remembered, shared, and carried forward.

The voices of Fairuz, Warda, and Oum Kalthoum have shaped generations—and through evenings like this, their legacy continues.

The legends remain with us.