Speaking the Unspeakable

Adham Hamed explores how a metaphoric understanding of the Middle East as an open space full of resonating sound bodies can be applied to the Middle East Conflict. Through inquiring into the experienced truths of large-scale political violence, the author suggests that music carries a potential for speaking ‘unspeakable’ truths. He explores hidden layers by applying the transrational approach to peace studies and proposes a non-territorial understanding of conflict. Hamed argues that security and justice discourses make up the dominant primary themes in this context. The Jerusalem Youth Chorus and the Egyptian band Eskenderella are examined as case studies. This book uncovers where their truths meet within and beyond the restrictions of formalized language. The author concludes that in moments of experienced resonance there is potential for change in the dynamics of rigid conflicts.