The capital comes together for a celebration of culture and community
The darkened room stirs with excitement as long, sweeping curtains part. A hush falls over the audience as the stage appears and the first notes dance through the air.
Billed as a precursor to the Abu Dhabi Festival, Gustavo Dudamel and the Simón Bolivar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela’s exquisite performance in the capital this past January offered a taste of what is yet to come.
Organised by the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation, the 11th edition of the popular
arts and music celebration will see culture take centre stage in the city. Hosted from 2nd to 31st March, the Abu Dhabi Festival (ADF) showcases a variety of world-class artistic performers, musicians and dancers for a month of festivities and performances.
Herbie Hancock, photo by Douglas Kirkland
The main attraction
The main programme of the festival will see performances by a list of international stars including Herbie Hancock, Renée Fleming, Miloš Karadaglić, the American Ballet Theatre, Vladimir Ashkenazy and the European Union Youth Orchestra and Michel Fadel – just to name a few.
Always a huge draw for residents, this programme looks to bring about the best in both international and regional dance, music and visual arts.
“Through participation with, and presentation of some of the most exceptional artists today, the people of Abu Dhabi and the wider UAE will have the opportunity to savour world-class experiences that will inspire, inform and ignite the imagination for many years to come,” said HE Hoda I Al Khamis-Kanoo, founder and artistic director of ADF.
This year’s country of honour – the United States of America – will feature notably in the main performance, with presentations from American sound artist Bill Fontana, jazz man Hancock, songbird Fleming and of course, the American Ballet Theatre.
“We are deeply honoured to be part of the festival. As America’s national company, we take our role as a cultural ambassador extremely seriously. We truly believe that these performances will allow for the exchange of ideas and fosters friendship and learning across the globe,” said Rachel Moore, CEO of American Ballet Theatre.
Renée Fleming, photo by Wiener Staatsoper
Community conversations
With a diverse line-up of events and initiatives, ADF aims to foster new dialogues within the community. With special events based in hospitals, schools and universities, the festival hopes to engage with the entire population.
One such initiative, the Riwaq Al Fikr or The Festival Debates, creates discussions with the entire audience as prominent thinkers, diplomats and leaders guide panels on various subjects. Featuring English and Arabic translations, the debates are typically free of charge.
Another community-wide initiative worth mentioning is the annual Earth Hour. Held in partnership with the Emirates Wildlife Society-World Wide Fund for Nature, the event on 29th March sees participants gather together for an evening of African drumming.
Tomorrow’s talent
The festival’s theme for this year is ‘Creative Innovation’ and will provide a platform for both residents and visitors to display their talents.
Keen on getting youth involved in creating art, ADF hopes to inspire the next generation of artists and musicians. With special events and initiatives taking place throughout all seven emirates, ADF’s education programme aims to inspire and foster creativity.
“Culture is the key that unlocks a nation’s creativity, and sparking innovation in the hearts and minds of young people is crucial for the future wellbeing of society,” said Al Khamis-Kanoo.
Emirati musician Hamdan Al Abri will be performing at this year’s festival. Sharing the stage with festival headliner Hancock, Al Abri will also be featured in a live jamming session open to the capital’s young performers at The Space Sessions as part of the educational programme.
Speaking about the open mic session Al Abri said, “When I was growing up in the UAE, we never had anything like this – where there was a platform for up-and-coming musicians, youngsters who were interested in music and wanted to pursue the creative. I think it is a great opportunity and I love being part of it.”
Initiatives such as these, which are geared at getting the younger generation involved, are sure to help develop the local art scene here, which will, in turn, help the festival flourish. Looks like a win-win situation to us.
Don’t miss these!
- 12th March
The Hero Inside
Programme Exhibition
A comic arts, animation and digital exhibition
The Space Session, twofour54, from 6pm
Free admission
- 17th March
Bayt Al Farabi:
The Asil Ensemble
Abu Dhabi Theatre,
from 8pm
AED 50
- 22nd to 27th March
The 10th Emirates International Peace
Music Festival
Various locations and times
Free admission
- 23rd March
Renée Fleming Opera Gala with the Dresden Philharmonic, conducted by Sascha Goetzel
Emirates Palace Auditorium, from 8pm
From AED 125 and up
- 28th and 29th March
American Ballet Theatre presents ‘Coppélia’ with the Dresden Philharmonic
Hosted at the Emirates Palace Auditorium, from 8pm
From AED 125 and up
- 29th March
Earth Hour with the Emirates Wildlife Society-World Wide Fund
Hosted at Khalifa Park from 6.30pm
Free Admission
Held under the patronage of HE Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture, Youth & Community Development, the Abu Dhabi Festival will take place from 2nd to 31st March. For more information visit: www.abudhabifestival.ae
