Abu Dhabi: The biggest cultural event in the region, Abu Dhabi Festival, started in the UAE this week bringing the world’s greatest classical stars as well as other artistic events to the country.
The month-long annual event has earned the reputation as a world-class platform for classical music in the Middle East and is organised by Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation (ADMAF), which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.
But how did it all begin and how has the festival grown since its birth 13 years ago? The Founder of ADMAF, Hoda Al Khamis-Kanoo, explained how the festival was started in 2004 and her hopes for the future of the annual event, in an interview with Gulf News.
“The festival began as a very modest platform, building on the work that ADMAF had been doing since its inception in 1996. We simply decided that Abu Dhabi was ready for such a celebration and managed to organise it within a very short space of time,” said Al Khamis-Kanoo.
“I remember it as if it was yesterday, and the thrill of presenting the festival remains the same after all these years. Initially, when the festival launched, it was called the Abu Dhabi Classical Music Festival and the performing musicians came from Egypt, France, Holland, Iraq, Spain, and USA. Concerts and talks were held at the Cultural Foundation, which at the time was the Emirati cultural hub. The feedback we received from both artists and audiences was incredible. It was evident there was a need for arts and culture events of this calibre in the emirate.”
Al Khamis-Kanoo said that the festival has grown substantially over the years and 2016 will see over 73 events taking place during the 20-day festival at multiple venues across the UAE.
“The vision of Abu Dhabi Festival is in alignment with the Abu Dhabi Vision 2030 Master Plan, positioning the capital of the UAE as a thriving hub for creativity and excellence in arts, education and culture, fundamental pillars of the ongoing cultural reformation of the UAE.”
The 2016 festival will welcome some of the world’s greatest classical music stars, including Lang Lang, the infamous Chinese pianist, Carlos Acosta and Friends, a distinguished ballet star, and 12-year-old pianist Joey Alexander whose original compositions, mostly influenced by jazz, have taken the world by storm.
The festival is also celebrating the artistic excellence of its country of honour, France, and will feature headline performances by French singers Natalie Dessay and Laurent Naouri, as well as two evenings with France’s premiere symphony orchestra, Orchestre de Paris.
As if the line up were not impressive already, organisers also announced last week that British actor Hugh Grant will be the live narrator for the much anticipated The Little Prince, a major production that will be brought to life by an immersive orchestral concert.
The festival has also introduced a two-day outdoor concert and workshop event at Abu Dhabi’s Mother of the Nation Park (former Mushrif Park) titled Festival in the Park, for the whole family to enjoy.
ADMAF, a pioneer in growing cultural activities in Abu Dhabi, is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year and with Abu Dhabi Festival’s continuous success what does the founder of it all hope for the future?
“To me personally, the Abu Dhabi Festival has always been about the audiences; the people who attend the performances and who engage with us and support the work we do. Through our arts and culture initiatives, we have been able to enable hundreds of people of all ages to find their path in life, be that through the arts, through other diverse careers, or through charitable initiatives to help the less fortunate among us.
“Both Abu Dhabi Festival and the Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation are important cultural entities for the residents of the UAE to engage with and enjoy — it always has been — and that is what will continue to inspire me as we look ahead to the next 20 years of ADMAF,” said Al Khamis-Kanoo.
Abu Dhabi Festival runs from April 3 to April 30. For more information visit www.abudhabifestival.ae
