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The 20th annual Dubai Shopping Festival will open on New Year’s Day with the Welsh National Opera and British composer Joanna Marsh.

This will be the first time the fest has been opened with a classical symphony orchestra concert.

Marsh’s orchestral piece, Kahayala, was inspired by the Burj Khalifa and premiered at the York Guildhall Orchestra in 2012. The UAE-based composer will present it for the first time in Dubai at an open-air concert at Zabeel Park on January 1. This, under the baton of Chinese conductor Xian Zhang.

Filipino pianist Cecile Licad and Indian sarod player Amjad Ali Khan will also perform.

Entry is free. For timings, go to mydsf.ae