As part of its 19th edition held under the theme ‘Crafting the Emirates State of Mind: Creation, Innovation & Joy’, the Abu Dhabi Festival presented Arabic Music Days2022, held in Berlin’s iconic Frank Gehry-designed Pierre Boulez Saal concert hall between March 1-5, to highlight the rich and diverse aspect of Arab culture.
H.E. Huda I. AlKhamis-Kanoo, Founder of Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF), Founder and Artistic Director of Abu Dhabi Festival, said: “Celebrating the beauty of Arab music abroad has always been at the forefront of our commitment to contributing culturally to the global stage and strengthening Abu Dhabi and the UAE’s presence in the creative scene worldwide. The opportunity to showcase a diverse line-up of influential Arab artists at the Pierre Boulez Saal on the fifth anniversary of its opening is a proud achievement in our mission to support Arab artists abroad.”
Arabic Music Days featured a variety of events, which included poetry, music, cinema and visual arts, with the participation of a select group of Arab artists. Iraqi oud virtuoso Naseer Shamma was accompanied by Trio Abozekrys, the Teryola trio, and the Gharbi Twins Trio.
The event kicked off on March 1 with Trio Abozekrys, where Mohamed Abozekry, the youngest professor of oud in the Arab world and winner of the first prize at the Syrian oud competition in Damascus, was accompanied by Abdullah Abozekry, the youngest saz player, and Nicolas Thé on drums. The trio took audiences on a unique journey into the world of oriental jazz.
On March 2, the audience members enjoyed an authentic Iraqi evening with the most important Iraqi musicians from the Maqamat Trio, founded by Anwar Abu Dragh. Abu Dragh, teacher of music and performer of Iraqi maqam, and one of the best Iraqi oud and josa musicians, performed along with Iraqi artist and composer Khaled Mohammed Ali, and renowedqanoun musician Hasan Faleh.
Hani Al Badri’s Teryola Trio performed on March 3, where Hani Al Badri, a flute player and lecturer in Arabic music sciences and maqamat who recently received the State Encouragement Award in the Arts in Egypt, played along with Mohamed Arafa on drums and Mohamed Essam on piano.
Iraqi musician and composer Naseer Shamma was joined by the famous Turkish qanoun musician Aytac Dogan and guitarist Carlos Pinana on March 4, alongside a live painting event by calligraphy artist NjaMahdawi.
Arabic Music Days closing night took place on March 5, with the Gharbi Twins Trio, by professional oud player and composer and Professor of Music and Musicology BechirGharbi, who performed along with violinist Mohammad Gharbi. The event also included a poetry night by Omani poet, essayist and writer Saif Al Rahbi. Al-Rahbi’s third poetry collection The Bells of Rapture (1985) marked his arrival as an important new voice in Arabic poetry.
The final day of the event also saw a transition from music towards visual arts and cinema. The program featured an online exhibition of works by NjaMahdawi from Tunisia and Iraqi painter and sculptor Jaber Alwan, the first foreigner to receive the Best Artist Awards by the Municipality of Rome. Moreover, a screening of the Man Who Sold His Skin film, starring Yahya Mahayni, Monica Bellucci, Dea Liane and Koen De Bouw closed the event. Composed and directed by Kaouther Ben Hania (Tunisia), the film was nominated for the Best International Feature Film at the 93rd Academy Awards in 2020.
The 19th edition of Abu Dhabi Festival 2022 is held under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha ShamsaBint Hamdan Al Nahyan and supported by Lead Partner Mubadala Investment Company (Mubadala) and Energy Partner GS Energy. Abu Dhabi Festival 2022 encompasses over 1,000 participating artists from around the world to present more than 300 performances and events. The 19th edition will also include two world tours and 17 world premieres.
The 2022 Abu Dhabi Festival programme is part of the contribution that the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation makes to the UAE capital’s designation as a UNESCO City of Music.
For more information on Abu Dhabi Festival’s upcoming events, please visit: https://abudhabifestival.ae, and find the Festival on: Facebook (abudhabifestival), Twitter (@abudhabi_fest) and Instagram (@abudhabifestival).
