Ladino music artist Sarah Aroeste has a new album titled Monastir featuring cover artwork by Amos Funk. The recording is dedicated to the Balkan city of Monastir, a place where many Sephardic Jews settled in, including Sarah Aroeste’s ancestors. The Sephardic community disappeared during World War II after it fell under Nazi control.
The now predominantly Macedonian Christian Orthodox and Muslim population of Monastir (renamed Bitola) welcomed Sarah Aroeste with open arms to help her record 10 songs that illustrate the life of Jewish Monastir before WWII destroyed it. The album features kantikas and romances, combining centuries-old melodies and originals.
Sarah Aroeste will present the album on July 7 with a show at the National Museum of American Jewish History.
Buy Monastir
Author: World Music Central News Room
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