Saber Bamatraf is a Yemeni pianist and music composer who has found his artistic haven in the vibrant city of Edinburgh, UK.
Saber brings experience from both the humanitarian and cultural sectors. He served as a humanitarian worker with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) for over seven years in Yemen’s conflict, all while immersing himself in the country’s artistic and cultural scene, which ignited his passion for the arts in 2014.
However, his pursuit of artistic and cultural activism came at a price. In 2018, Saber and his artist wife, Shatha Altowai, faced direct threats to their safety due to their fervent engagement in these endeavors. Faced with these challenges, they made the courageous decision to seek refuge in Scotland after being awarded with prestigious IIE-Artist Protection Fund fellowships. These fellowships brought them to the Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities (IASH) within the University of Edinburgh from November 2020 to November 2021.
Saber has become an integral part of the Art27Scotland community, taking on various roles as an Artist-in-Residence and coordinator. In 2021, he created and performed the captivating short play “Saber Came to Tea,” followed by the enchanting “Southside Symphony” in 2023. Saber also played a pivotal role as the Community Coordinator for our Fringe shows, showcased in collaboration with ZOO Venues within the Southside in August 2022. Moreover, he led our Digital Communications and Project Coordinator throughout 2022-2023, culminating in the successful 3-day Festival of Migration in mid-June 2023.
Currently, Saber is dedicating his talents and energy to our Musiqa Pilot project, alongside Artist-in-Residence Elaine Cheng. Together, they are providing beginner piano lessons for Arabic-speaking young people who aspire to learn the piano. The pilot program, delivered in both Arabic and English, covers learning by ear, music theory, and offers an opportunity for our young participants to be inspired as they embark on their journey to master a new instrument.
Website: saberbamatraf.com
Photo credit: Kev Theaker