Baba Ali and the 100 Flutes

In 2026, the Swiss Bamboo Flute Association will celebrate its 90th anniversary. At the same time, the international movement will celebrate its 100th anniversary. In 1926, the English music educator Margaret James developed the bamboo flute as a homemade instrument with significant educational value.
On November 21 and 22, 2026, the Swiss Bamboo Flute Association will hold concerts in two different regions of Switzerland—one in Solothurn and the other in Fribourg. Composer and conductor Barbara Jost has written a contemporary piece for these concerts. More than 30 musicians are rehearsing this anniversary composition and will perform its world premiere. The two soloists from Tunisia, Samiha Ben Saïd (qanoon player and singer) and Samir Ferjani (nay flutist), will travel from their home country to enrich the sound of the bamboo flutes with their instruments.
Fairy tales can come true! That’s the message of the story behind our bamboo flute movement, and it’s also the theme of the anniversary composition „Baba Ali and the 100 Flutes,“ which will accompany us throughout this anniversary year:
It tells the story of this wise woman, Margaret James, also known as Grandmother Ali, Baba Ali, who, 100 years ago, was inspired by the sounds of a simple shepherd’s flute to build an instrument that encouraged countless children to build and refine their own instruments, thereby opening the doors to the treasure trove of music.
We travel with the caravan that brings us the musical treasures of distant cultures. We rest in Baba Ali’s garden to listen to the birdsong. Together with Baba Ali, we dream a wondrous dream. We hear the lament of the imprisoned music and the wild music of the bandit children. Together with Ali, we carry the musical treasures out of the cave and place them on the flying carpet, which flies to all who love music.

Date and time
22/11/2026 17:00

Address
Fribourg, Reformed Church, 2 Rue du Temple

Organizer
Swiss Bamboo Flute Association

Works
World Premiere of a Composition Marking the 100th Anniversary of the Bamboo Flute

Management
Barbara Jost, Solothurn

Soloists
Samiha Ben Saïd, qanoon / Samir Ferjani, nay / Marianne Flück-Derendinger, narrator / Children's Bamboo Flute Orchestra, conducted by Annette Witmer and Delphine Gallay

Admission price
Collection

Contact us
079 104 21 06 / martin.stump@bambusfloete.ch

Website
www.bambusfloete.ch