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ARTIST IN RESIDENCE | Maya Youssef

Celebrated Syrian musician and composer, Maya Youssef, is one of the 2026 Artists in Residence. She’s performing twice at the Festival, one a concert of music chiefly from her majestic album Finding Home, and another playing new works that explore the relationship between Syrian and Celtic musical traditions, New Paths Through Old Worlds.

Ahead of Festival 2026, she talks us through her practice and her instrument, the qanun.


22 April 2026

Arts make life better

Norfolk & Norwich Festival brings tens of thousands of people together in celebration – it has been doing this for over 250 years. Through our May Festival and our year-round arts education work, focusing on children and young people, we lead and support celebration, creativity and curiosity in communities across Norfolk and the region.

This year we begin an exciting new initiative, Festival Connect & Create that will bring creative opportunities to those schools and communities with least provision. Creativity transforms people’s lives. It builds cohesive communities, develops vital skills and supports health and wellbeing. We want more people to have access to creative opportunities.

Please consider donating to support and develop this work. With your help we can increase access to the life changing power of the arts.

Registered Charity No. 116442

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