Baroque beats and French flair light up SIBF 2025 on opening day

November 06, 2025 / 12:30 PM

Sharjah 24: The rhythms of 18th-century Europe met the pulse of the modern Gulf as Moz Drums – a French Baroque-inspired street theatre troupe – brought a burst of music, light and some comedy on the opening day of the 44th Sharjah International Book Fair 2025 (SIBF).

Dressed as 18th-century noblemen in white tricorne hats and painted faces for a perfect masquerade party, the quartet of Rémy, Lucien, David, and Antony marched through the halls and lobbies of the Sharjah Expo Centre, venue of the 12-day annual festival – beating drums to a blend of contemporary rhythms and Baroque melodies inspired by the famous artistic style that originated in Europe in the early 17th century and lasted until the mid-18th century.

Several influences

“It’s a mix of several influences, including Baroque for sure, as our name suggests, and drums, keyboards, and a bit of comedy,” said troupe manager Cédric Paques, speaking ahead of the team’s debut at Sharjah International Book Fair 2025. “We started as a drum group, but we added movement, light, and music to create something elegant, funny, and full of rhythm for everybody in Sharjah to enjoy.”

Bringing magic to SIBF

Over the past decade, the troupe from just outside Lille in northern France has travelled to 26 countries, performing nearly 800 shows in cities like New York, Nouméa, and Nice, captivating audiences with its remarkably luminous drum parades and infectious theatrics. “Our shows are all about percussion, choreography and lights and that is what makes everyone’s eyes sparkle. And we expect to bring the same magic now to the festival’s visitors,” Paques said, calling his team a “walking symphony of energy.”

The troupe will perform twice daily until Saturday, 8 November, as part of the 44th Sharjah International Book Fair, organised by the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) under the theme It’s Between You and a Book.

During this 12-day event, visitors will have the opportunity to experience over 300 cultural activities led by 158 Arab and international guests, more than 750 workshops in Arabic and English covering writing, editing, publishing, and creativity, and 85 stage performances from 12 countries.