To many, it is the forgotten side of the WOMAD festival.
But away from the glamour and glitz that surround the headline music acts from around the world, children from schools in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain will have the opportunity to take centre stage to discover the secrets of international art thanks to a huge array of specially organised workshops.
In addition to the multi-award winning line-up of global stars that will be taking part, Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADA CH) and WOMAD have launched an initiative called WOMAD Beyond. It aims to share the inspirations, techniques, experiences and gain a wealth of knowledge.
Annie Menter, Executive for the WOMAD Foundation who is organising the initiative explains: “WOMAD is not simply about music. The crucial aspects of bringing art from around the world to the capital to be shared by young and old alike can often be forgotten.
“Our workshops are aimed at opening doors for these young people to share and become involved with artists from around the world, find out more about various art forms, and get close to the artists themselves.”
The WOMAD Beyond workshops include such participants as Siyaya, a group from Zimbabwe who will work with students from The British School towards a final performance, to be presented on the opening night of the festival.
Workshop organisers are focusing much of their attention on having international artists work with children in local schools around the capital.
The children’s workshops programme will also see an array of creations made by local young people being displayed on a specially organised Children’s Parade along the Corniche, on the final day of the festival, with Siyaya and Dubai Drums providing a live musical background.
“WOMAD is delighted to have the opportunity to bring artists from the UK, Zimbabwe, Algeria and India to present an innovative programme of workshops in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain prior to the WOMAD Festival,” adds Annie Menter.
“This community programme will cover percussion, dance and vocals, visual arts and crafts, and carnival arts from around the world. The workshops during the festival are free for all to attend and offer a fantastic opportunity for everyone to experience the many exciting aspects of a WOMAD festival.”
Numerous workshops in the Abu Dhabi area have already involved local schools and centres around the capital in the run up to the festival, including the Cultural Foundation in Abu Dhabi.
Other workshops have been held at House of Arts in Al Ain, Emirates National School, Al Ain English School, the Canadian International School and the British School Al-Khubairat.
[Originally published in Abu Dhabi Week vol 2 issue 15]
