"“Abydos: The Holy Land” Music composed and designed by Sherif Dahroug This work is a tribute to the souls of the last Egyptians who journeyed to Abydos for pilgrimage. They were killed there by Byzantine emperors, and their funerals were not held until today. Overview: “Abydos” is the sacred Egyptian city, the land of Osiris, revered for thousands of years. It is a dreamlike place that has touched the hearts, minds, and spirits of the Egyptian people. The pilgrimage to Abydos is akin to crossing a delicate veil separating human existence from the mysterious divine realm. Abydos, the holy land, has been a destination for Egyptian pilgrims since ancient times. Despite the violent events caused by the Roman and Byzantine empires, which aimed to alter Egypt’s deeply rooted culture and its connection to ancestral land, Abydos remains a sacred place. The Musical Movements: The album consists of three movements, each reflecting a specific aspect of the pilgrims’ mindset as they journey to Abydos: 1. First Movement: “Invocation” * This movement expresses the spiritual state that connects the human world to the divine realm in the minds of those journeying to Abydos. The music is dreamy, attempting to create a sense of communication between both realms, embodying spirituality and the pilgrimage experience to the sacred city. 2. Second Movement: “Creation, A Tear” * This movement describes one of the symbols of human creation in ancient Egyptian rituals. It is believed that humanity was created from the tear of the god Ra, expressing sorrow and suffering. The music embodies the sacrifices and hardships borne by Isis, the great goddess of Egypt, to bring life to the land and maintain its balance amidst the chaos of the world. 3. Third Movement: “Flower of Life, A Dance” * The final movement is inspired by the Flower of Life, a geometric Egyptian shape representing perfection and harmony in the universe. The music conveys a state of alignment and fusion between the pilgrim and the Flower of Life, as if engaged in a cosmic dance where planets, suns, and galaxies sway in perfect harmony.