Nani Vazana: World's 1st Millennial Ladino Songwriter

?I play Ladino because I see the future when I look at the past.? ? Nani Vazana. This event is part of our Synagogue Nights season. Nani Vazana is one of few artists in the world that writes and composes new songs in the endangered Ladino language ? the language, close to Spanish, spoken by the Jewish population of multifaith Spain in the 15th century. Nani learned Ladino from her Moroccan grandmother in hiding, as her father forbade them to speak Ladino at home. In her fourth solo album, Ke Haber (?What?s New?), she revitalizes the ancient, matriarchal language and culture, bringing it into the 21st century with powerful lyrics that explore themes of migration, gender, and female empowerment. The music blends tradition with modernity, evoking the lively atmosphere of a marketplace through a mix of raw, flamenco-inspired vocals and unexpected instrumentation. Nani is ranked #11 World Music Charts and #13 Music Charts Europe, represented the Netherlands at the EU Music Festival in Vietnam and performed at the Kennedy Center USA, BBC Radio 3, the London Jazz Festival UK, Jazz in the Park fest Romania and the Jodhpur RIFF festival India. Her music was documented for the Library of Congress USA in 2023, in an honour reserved to few artists, naming her new Ladino repertoire as a ?living relic?. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW The age guidance for this performance is 14+. The performance will be 60 minutes long. There will be no intervals. After the performance, Nani will be selling and signing her new album ?Ke Haber? in the museum?s foyer. Doors to the museum will be open from 6pm for the performance to start at 7pm. Cafe will be selling hot food and drinks before the event. Please note that food and drinks can?t be taken into the synagogue, so please allow enough time before the performance. We don?t have a cloak room and are unable to store bags and we would advise not bringing large bags with you when you visit. ACCESS Our new building includes step free access to the entrance via a ramp, a lift to the first floor, level access throughout the ground floor and accessible gender neutral toilets. Click HERE for more access information. If you have any additional needs please email olivia@manchesterjewishmuseum.com in advance so we can best support. GETTING HERE We are just a 15 minute walk from Victoria Station and Manchester?s Green Quarter. Both the 41 and 135 buses stop on Cheetham Hill Road within 100m from the museum?s entrance at the Elizabeth Street and Derby Street stops. We encourage you to use public transport or other sustainable transport methods when travelling to the museum. Click HERE for more information on getting here. ?