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My love affair with the instrument that reminds me of home

Syrian musician Maya Youssef fell in love with the qanun, a traditional Middle Eastern stringed instrument, as a child and it鈥檚 been by her side ever since.

Syrian musician Maya Youssef is in love with her qanun, a traditional Middle Eastern stringed instrument. Like a family member, it鈥檚 got her through some difficult times and it consoled Maya as she watched from afar as her homeland was ripped apart by war. Maya's talent at playing the qanun gave her the opportunity to live in the UK and she has taken it on tour playing in refugee centres for new arrivals and at the Royal Albert Hall. Maya tells Mobeen Azhar about her journey with the qanun. Her upcoming album is called Finding 成人快手.

Get in touch: outlook@bbc.com

Presenter: Mobeen Azhar
Producer: Deiniol Buxton

(Photo: Maya Youssef and her qanun. Credit: Igor Studio)

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23 minutes

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