Rebuking Yemen’s Ministry of Culture

Ali Enaba reveals challenges facing arts in his country

Yemeni artist Ali Enaba

Yemeni artist Ali Enaba lamented the current position of Yemeni art and artists due to the current crisis witnessed in the country, revealing that he prepares for a new artistic work. He refused to give any details over his new work, saying that the different details will be revealed soon.

He added, in an interview with “Arabs Today”, that he does not cooperate with any other artists from Yemen, stressing that he prefers the so-called popular singing. He added, “I promise my fans to present new national songs in which a number of young artists will participate.”

He added, “I issued 13 albums since the beginning of my career in 2007. Due to the current critical conditions witnessed in the country, the artist turns to present single songs to be published on social media networks in which intellectual property rights are not protected.”

He refuted the claims that the Yemeni art and artists are limited inside the country, saying that the art is suitable in any country. He stressed that the Yemeni songs are strongly accepted in the other Arab countries.

He criticized the Yemeni Ministry of Culture, saying that it does not care of Yemeni artists. He said, “The Yemeni Ministry of Culture has no relation with the artists. It deals with us as non-Yemeni citizens. However, we are keen to meet the aspirations of the Yemeni people.”

In 2003, he added, the Yemeni artists turned to the ministry to gain the governmental support for their dramatic and other artistic works, while they ignored their demands. The ministry gives the priority to specific persons who can serve the interests of the officials, while it ignores the artists. He added, “Even the ministry’s employees have no relation with the arts.”

Regarding the challenges facing him, he said that it is difficult to sing to those people who face such critical conditions of war, conflicts and increasing violence. He called the Yemeni singer Ammar Al Azki, who participated in “Arab Idol” TV program, for presenting the songs of Yemeni heritage stressing that such songs are unmatched.