Sharjah, UAE (27 September 2025): With an unmissable programme of acclaimed artists, musicians, and facilitators Tanweer Festival has unveiled more details of its stellar line-up for 2025. With anticipation building for its return to the Mleiha desert this November, the latest roster reaffirms that the festival will be even more expansive than its debut in 2024, promising something for everyone to enjoy. Among the latest headliners are world-renowned sitarist and composer Anoushka Shankar, and virtuoso of Tanbour, Kamancheh, and Setar, Sohrab Pournazeri, who will be joined by Iranian singer and musician Sahar Boroujerdi.
The Main Stage
The beating heart of the festival, the Main Stage will showcase international icons whose performances resonate across generations and cultures. Among the latest additions is Anoushka Shankar, one of the world’s most celebrated composers and sitarists, who will headline day two. With multiple Grammy nominations and a career that bridges Indian classical music, flamenco, and electronica, Shankar’s performance promises to be a highlight of the festival.
Adding further depth to the stage, Aya Khalaf, a Palestinian singer and educator, will present a performance on day one that preserves and revives Palestinian heritage through song, passing ancestral stories to new generations. Sohrab Pournazeri, of the famed Pournazeri family, and whose work has engendered a new movement in Iranian music, will also take to the stage alongside the acclaimed Iranian vocalist Sahar Boroujerdi, with a moving, traditional performance of classic works on day three.
The Dome
Designed as a hub for shared knowledge and immersive encounters, the Dome will feature artists and facilitators who push the boundaries of sound, storytelling, and experiential practice. Sound researcher Marko Žigon will explore sound’s power in a one-hour sound journey. Peruquois, a genre-defying vocalist, will bring her rich tapestry of influences spanning jazz and Native American traditions, in an exploration of the transformative power of emotional sound healing. Walid Aboulnaga, an explorer of transformational breathwork practices, will further enrich the Dome’s programme with his engaging workshop, on day two.
Lina Nahhas, social innovator and founder of The Sameness Project, will bring her signature community activations to the Dome on day three – her 5Rhythms® Workshop
creative movement practice sparking meaningful dialogue to cultivate empathy and deepen human connection.
The Tree of Life
A sanctuary for global traditions, the Tree of Life stage welcomes new additions that highlight the festival’s celebration of cultural exchange. Wellness pioneer Nancy Zabaneh, the first Kundalini teacher trainer in the Arab Gulf, will join Anas Al-Halabi in a captivating performance, Echoes of the Heart. This unique blend of music and poetry promises an inspiring and soulful finale to the day one program.
Spanish multi-instrumentalist El Amir will present a dazzling set that blends flamenco guitar with oud, bouzouki, and world strings, and Catalan artist Núria Rovira Salat brings Mediterranean and Balkan sounds to the festival, weaving music and dance into a performance steeped in cultural fusion.
Audiences can also look forward to a performance from masterful tabla player Sandu, followed by a collaborative performance from Mei-lan Maurits and Ali Pervez, whose blend of ethereal vocals and inspired tones offer audiences a rich, melodic journey. Day three will feature Khusugtun and Batzorig Vaanchig, the internationally celebrated Mongolian ensemble famed for their throat singing and traditional steppe instruments.
The Marketplace
The Marketplace, the festival’s bustling hub for sustainable, creative and artistic exchange, will be elevated by a roster of innovative voices on its dedicated stage. Dubai-based Benna duo Nina & Abir, the first female oud-and-guitar ensemble of their kind, will showcase their unique blend of Arabic tradition and modern global sound. Nassib Bouchebel, with his live-looped soundscapes of gongs, flutes, and percussion, will create immersive performances that bridge ancient tones with contemporary artistry. Iraqi santur player Azhar Kubba will bring to life the timeless resonance of one of the world’s oldest instruments, while French-Iranian scholar Leili Anvar will share the beauty of Persian mystical poetry through recitals that connect literature and performance.
Nourish
In the Nourish area, audiences will encounter creativity that extends beyond food and into shared experience. On day one, Sandu and Nancy will recite musical poetry entitled Taste of Remembrance: Eat the Light, Drink the Song, on day two Syrian percussionist Anas Al-Halabi, known as the first handpan player in the Middle East, will perform his groundbreaking compositions, showcasing the instrument’s contemporary versatility and global reach, and day three will see Sandu and Anas collaborate for a unique and enchanting performance combining classical tabla, with handpan virtuosity.
The performances will complement the culinary offerings of Nourish, where global cuisines reflect the same diversity and exchange celebrated across the festival’s stages.
More Than Music
Alongside the concerts, workshops, and performances, festival-goers can immerse themselves in artisanal markets, visual art installations, culinary experiences, and curated activities that highlight both the cultural and natural richness of Mleiha. Attendees can enjoy
stargazing, desert explorations, archaeological tours, and workshops, with the festival being designed as an immersive cultural journey that invites participation at every step.
An Invitation to Experience Tanweer
Tanweer Festival 2025 will transform the Sharjah desert into a vibrant celebration of art, music, and heritage, with world-class artists, immersive experiences, and soulful gatherings you won’t want to miss. For more information and to register, visit www.tanweerfestival.com
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