PROGRAMME

Riwaq Al Adab Wal Kitab aims to strengthen and support the Emirati publishing industry by presenting the achievements of Emirati and Arab writers. The initiative seeks to foster creativity among local writers and to preserve and celebrate the beauty of the Arabic language in literature and its role as a key element of national identity.

Since the beginning of the economic crisis in Lebanon followed by the huge blast of Beirut Port and the deterioration of the current situation, the Lebanese people have been suffering economically, socially, and psychologically.

Gifted Emirati composer Ihab Darwish’s new work, in collaboration with Emmy-winning composer John Debney and Academy Award-winning composer David Shire, celebrates the historic opening of the Abrahamic Family House in Abu Dhabi. Bringing together top international composers, musicians and vocal ensembles from Christian, Jewish and Muslim backgrounds, the symphony celebrates unity and peace amongst different faiths.

Abu Dhabi Festival’s annual Festival in the Park returns with two days of exciting shows, workshops and musical performances at Umm Al Emarate Park.

In a tale of family, tradition, and the perils of the diver and the wonders of the sea, Emirati writer Maitha Al Kayat and Emirati composer Eman Al Hashimi join forces with acclaimed interdisciplinary dance, music and new media collective Company E.

The UAE’s brightest young musicians will perform a repertoire of Paganini and Dvorak, conducted by Maestro Riad Kudsi and featuring young virtuoso violinists Himari Yoshimura and Natsuho Muratad.

Famed director Romeo Castellucci returns to Festival d’Aix-en-Provence after the 2019 success of Requiem, a unique operatic production of Mozart’s iconic requiem mass.

Aida is one of Teatro Real’s most monumental and emblematic productions. Nearly a quarter of a century after its premiere in 1998, a restored and updated version revives the brilliant composer Giuseppe Verdi’s powerful tale of love and betrayal in four acts.

Symphony # 5, composed by internationally celebrated Emirati artist, Mohammed Fairouz, and performed by the world-renowned London Symphony Orchestra explores the story of the UAE and its values of peace and tolerance.

A journey from loss to hope and reconciliation by innovative composers Qoutayba Neaimi and Judith Adler de Oliveira begins with mourning for the victims of war, followed by an atonement filled with peace and cultural tolerance.

Since the beginning of the economic crisis in Lebanon followed by the huge blast of Beirut Port and the deterioration of the current situation, the Lebanese people have been suffering economically, socially, and psychologically.

A unique two-day virtual festival featuring panel discussions, seminars and workshops pairing Arab writers, editors and publishers will highlight the work and voices of Arab and Arab diaspora writers and poets.

In partnership with the Embassy of Japan to the UAE, Abu Dhabi Festival will showcase 42 prints produced by 10 prominent Japanese contemporary painters, including Yayoi Kusama, Masanari Murai and Yasukazu Tabuchi, who explored a wide range of possibilities through prints and expanded the range of expression in contemporary art using the print medium in the 1970s.

Portrait of a Nation II: Beyond Narratives, the jewel of Abu Dhabi Festival 2022, has come to a close but the story of the nation’s artistic development as it transpired over 50 years lives on through the innovative launch of the virtual exhibition, its book companion, Portrait of a Nation II and an upcoming world tour.

Since the beginning of the economic crisis in Lebanon followed by the huge blast of Beirut Port and the deterioration of the current situation, the Lebanese people have been suffering economically, socially, and psychologically.

In partnership with Ewa’a Shelter for Women and Children, a series of talks were hosted at the Expo 2020 Women’s Pavilion with international experts on humanitarian issues involving violence towards women. Aimed at strengthening awareness of violence and abuse, the talks explored what we can do as individuals, as a nation and as a community to make changes for a more violence-free world.

Beginning with a visual art exhibition, literature festival and musical performance, Abu Dhabi Festival is partnering with the Middle East Institute in an innovative ongoing collaboration to strengthen US-UAE cultural ties. In 2022, this diverse range of activities includes an exhibition of contemporary art by leading Middle Eastern artists whose work explores the impact of climate change on their communities and natural environment, and the need for greater sustainability.

A unique exhibition of visual art will show how artists from different cultural backgrounds with strong religious traditions, such as the UAE, Israel, Germany, India, Italy and other Arab countries, illuminate the idea of a new wave of spirituality.

Famed director Romeo Castellucci returns to Festival d’Aix-en-Provence after the 2019 success of Requiem, a unique operatic production of Mozart’s iconic requiem mass.

Aida is one of Teatro Real’s most monumental and emblematic productions. Nearly a quarter of a century after its premiere in 1998, a restored and updated version revives the brilliant composer Giuseppe Verdi’s powerful tale of love and betrayal in four acts.

Joyce DiDonato: EDEN Abu Dhabi Festival Abroad Programme Exploring the majesty, might, and mystery of nature through both arresting and evocative music and theatrical effects, accomplished mezzo-soprano [...]

Symphony # 5, composed by internationally celebrated Emirati artist, Mohammed Fairouz, and performed by the world-renowned London Symphony Orchestra explores the story of the UAE and its values of peace and tolerance.

A journey from loss to hope and reconciliation by innovative composers Qoutayba Neaimi and Judith Adler de Oliveira begins with mourning for the victims of war, followed by an atonement filled with peace and cultural tolerance.

Since the beginning of the economic crisis in Lebanon followed by the huge blast of Beirut Port and the deterioration of the current situation, the Lebanese people have been suffering economically, socially, and psychologically.

Gifted Emirati composer Ihab Darwish’s new work, in collaboration with Emmy-winning composer John Debney and Academy Award-winning composer David Shire, celebrates the historic opening of the Abrahamic Family House in Abu Dhabi. Bringing together top international composers, musicians and vocal ensembles from Christian, Jewish and Muslim backgrounds, the symphony celebrates unity and peace amongst different faiths.

Abu Dhabi Festival’s annual Festival in the Park returns with two days of exciting shows, workshops and musical performances at Umm Al Emarate Park.

The UAE’s brightest young musicians will perform a repertoire of Paganini and Dvorak, conducted by Maestro Riad Kudsi and featuring young virtuoso violinists Himari Yoshimura and Natsuho Muratad.

A refined three-part dialogue between musical masters, the Paolo Fresu Trio performs with great emotional impact and intimate cerebral connection.

Beginning with a visual art exhibition, literature festival and musical performance, Abu Dhabi Festival is partnering with the Middle East Institute in an innovative and ongoing collaboration to strengthen US-UAE cultural ties. In 2022…

With a voice that transcends borders and musical eras, internationally renowned Palestinian jazz singer and musician Omar Kamal continues the global tour of his latest album “Show Me the Light”.

Abu Dhabi Festival’s annual Ramadan Spiritual Music Series features performances and events in the spirit of the holy month, inviting artists from around the world to celebrate the spiritual values that transcend difference. A place for both established and emerging artists

Vanguard flamenco dancer and choreographer María Pagés premieres her feminine vision of Carmen. Hailed all over the world as one of the finest contemporary flamenco shows, it is a new take on the gypsy cigarette girl from Mérimée’s novella who was made famous by Bizet and the storyteller of the Arabian Nights.

In a tale of family, tradition, and the perils of the diver and the wonders of the sea, Emirati writer Maitha Al Kayat and Emirati composer Eman Al Hashimi join forces with acclaimed interdisciplinary dance, music and new media collective Company E.

Abu Dhabi Festival will collaborate with Al Ain Film Festival, in its fourth edition, as its strategic cultural partner to support the development of young filmmakers and spread the culture of cinema in the UAE.

This world-premiere presentation by one of the greatest dance companies in the world will be choreographed to the music of legendary singer Tony Bennett.

Abu Dhabi Festival will collaborate with Al Ain Film Festival, in its fourth edition, as its strategic cultural partner to support the development of young filmmakers and spread the culture of cinema in the UAE.

Acclaimed Algerian filmmaker Salem Brahimi documents the inspiring story of Algerian Olympic champion Hassiba Boulmerka’s rise in the 1990s as a symbol of courage and resistance against death threats from religious extremists and oppression. Echoing the struggle of young Muslim women in some places to be allowed to jog and engage in sports, the film ultimately raises questions about the place of women in our societies.

Discussion and book launch Portrait of a Nation II and Art of the Emirates II Both publications signal a transition from a field of creative activities to [...]

Riwaq Al Adab Wal Kitab aims to strengthen and support the Emirati publishing industry by presenting the achievements of Emirati and Arab writers. The initiative seeks to foster creativity among local writers and to preserve and celebrate the beauty of the Arabic language in literature and its role as a key element of national identity.

Portrait of a Nation II, the book companion to Abu Dhabi Festival 2022’s flagship Portrait of a Nation II: Beyond Narratives exhibition, guides readers through the remarkable transformation of the UAE’s art history, tracing the path chartered by 62 pioneering artists who have shaped the UAE’s visual arts scene as it unfolded over the past 50 years.

A unique two-day virtual festival featuring panel discussions, seminars and workshops pairing Arab writers, editors and publishers will highlight the work and voices of Arab and Arab diaspora writers and poets.

The up-and-coming Saudi pop singer’s new 5-song EP Ismak will debut as part of Abu Dhabi Festival. Immersed in the world of western pop music, Tamtam brings elements from her Saudi roots into her music at just the right times, singing in Arabic or English whenever they feel natural.

In an album based on Arab poetry, this rising Syrian-American musician and composer shows the love and wisdom present in that poetry. The poets come from all walks of life and many eras, theologies and philosophies, but they are all unified by art.

In a unique combination of styles from a variety of cultures and time periods, Rahbany blends music from his own Lebanese Arab origins with European Baroque music such as Bach and Vivaldi, intricate Indian rhythms and the irresistible swing of Brazilian beats.

Retracing the history of the oud over more than a century and presenting eminent oud players and musicians, this box set of 2 CDs and 1 DVD, with an accompanying booklet, is a comprehensive archive of the most iconic instrument from the Arab region.

The first album by these young performers from Europe and the Middle East is born out of the need to bridge the distance between the shores and sonic world’s of a rapidly changing region. Musicians from Egypt, Turkey, Portugal and Italy met in Cairo to build a new collective musical identity, blending timbres and backgrounds in a unique artistic collaboration with Festival Aix-en-Provence, supported by Abu Dhabi Festival.

Abu Dhabi Festival is launching Belgian-Iraqi composer and researcher Qoutayba Neaimi’s revolutionary new innovation, a musical system that will change the way musicians throughout the world understand Arab music.

STEAM (The intersection of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, And Maths) Through the arts, we reach the youth in workshops and performances that inspire and support them to [...]