In September 2002 we held our first British music event in Libya in thirty years. Welsh folk band Pibau Bach participated in the fifth Drj desert festival, the only European band to perform at the festival which features traditional bands from all over Libya and North Africa. More than 5000 spectators, mostly young Libyans from the major urban areas, cheered and danced when Pibau Bach came on stage in the middle of the night under a starry desert sky. Many in the audience were delighted to see connections re-established between Libyan and UK musicians. Libyan television and press carried full coverage of the event: 'The participation of the British band, Pibau Bach this year made the Drj festival unique.' Shams newspaper 'We were congratulated by revolutionary youths on our beautiful music and told that they loved Wales.' Band member, Ceri Matthews |
