Al-Bustan invites educators and students to explore the life of the legendary Egyptian singer Umm Kulthum. As an artist and public figure, her fame was unparalleled in her home country and across the Arab world.
We at Al-Bustan believe that arts and cultural education can promote deeper cross-cultural understanding and exchanges. Umm Kulthum’s life story is a window into the rich culture and history of the Arab world in the mid-twentieth century.
The purpose of this curriculum is to guide an exploration of both Umm Kulthum the individual and of the Arab world she enchanted. Her life story provides an entry point for developing rich and nuanced historical and cultural understandings. Umm Kulthum’s musical artistry and poetic lyrics also touch upon language arts themes, including lessons about genre, tone, figurative language, and imagery.
We welcome your feedback as you use this curriculum. Please feel free to post on our Discussion Page.