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Saudi National Band and Choir Participates in Arab Music Festival and Conference

A general view of buildings by the Nile River in Cairo, Egypt January 28, 2021. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany
A general view of buildings by the Nile River in Cairo, Egypt January 28, 2021. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany
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Saudi National Band and Choir Participates in Arab Music Festival and Conference

A general view of buildings by the Nile River in Cairo, Egypt January 28, 2021. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany
A general view of buildings by the Nile River in Cairo, Egypt January 28, 2021. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany

The Music Commission has announced that the Saudi National Band and Choir is scheduled to participate on October 27 in the 31st Arab Music Festival and Conference, which will be held from October 20 to November 3 at the National Cultural Center "Opera House" in the Egyptian capital Cairo.

The Saudi National Band and Choir will present folkloric songs from the Saudi heritage.

Through this participation, the Music Commission aims to promote international cultural exchange, spread the Saudi music culture, and intensify the presence of the music sector in international cultural forums.

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Damian Lewis Herds Sheep over a London Bridge as Part of a Quirky Tradition

British actor Damian Lewis leads The Worshipful Company of Woolmen, driving sheep across Southward Bridge, during the annual event in London on September 29, 2024. (AFP)
British actor Damian Lewis leads The Worshipful Company of Woolmen, driving sheep across Southward Bridge, during the annual event in London on September 29, 2024. (AFP)
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Damian Lewis Herds Sheep over a London Bridge as Part of a Quirky Tradition

British actor Damian Lewis leads The Worshipful Company of Woolmen, driving sheep across Southward Bridge, during the annual event in London on September 29, 2024. (AFP)
British actor Damian Lewis leads The Worshipful Company of Woolmen, driving sheep across Southward Bridge, during the annual event in London on September 29, 2024. (AFP)

Actor Damian Lewis drove a flock of sheep across the River Thames on Sunday in homage to a centuries-old tradition.

Lewis is among thousands of people granted the honorary title of Freeman of the City of London, which in medieval times came with the right to bring livestock across the river to market without paying tolls.

More than 1,000 freemen exercised that right on Sunday in the annual London Sheep Drive, many wearing black hats and red cloaks. Lewis wore his grandfather’s wool coat and carried a crook as he led the throng herding the animals over Southwark Bridge.

“It was fabulous,” said Lewis, star of “Band of Brothers,” “Homeland” and “Wolf Hall.”

Lewis was asked to represent the Worshipful Company of Woolmen, a trade guild dating back to the 12th century. He said he was pleased to be part of “this eccentric, very British day, honoring an old tradition.”

Manny Cohen, Master Woolman at the Worshipful Company of Woolmen, said the ancient sheep-driving tradition was revived about 15 years ago and has become a major charity fundraising event.

There are no plans to bring back other ancient freemen’s privileges such as the right to carry an unsheathed sword in public.