Abu Dhabi Food Festival kicks off on Sunday
The 13th edition of the region’s largest cultural event kicked off on Sunday in the capital with free events for schoolchildren, students and the community as a whole.
The 20-day-long Abu Dhabi Festival will witness renowned musicians and performers, including pianist Lang Lang and dancer Carlos Acosta, among others, in addition to workshops, exhibitions and events across the country.
Under the patronage of Shaikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, this year’s Abu Dhabi Festival has chosen France as the Country of Honour.
The 2016 Festival will also see the return of the much acclaimed Festival Recital Series featuring the Joey Alexander Trio (April 27) and the Alfredo Rodríguez Trio (April 28) at New York University Abu Dhabi Arts Centre.
The theme of Abu Dhabi Festival 2016 calls on the people of the UAE to make a ‘Pledge for Culture’ by enjoying the festival along with the UAE’s broader year-round calendar of cultural activities.
“This edition of the festival is particularly special for me, as it is this year that we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation (ADMAF). Over the past 20 years, I have seen the cultural landscape of the UAE transform from a blossoming hub to a hotbed of creativity. This is why the festival is calling upon the people of the UAE to make a pledge for culture to ensure that our society continues to flourish,” said Hoda Al Khamis-Kanoo, founder of the Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation and the Abu Dhabi Festival.
“As we look ahead to the next 20 years of ADMAF, we look to the people of the UAE to carry the values of culture forward. To me, culture stands for unity, for innovation and for the humanity of our society,” she added.
Officially starting the festival today, Music in Hospitals (April 3-7) sees the nation’s young musicians perform for patients, visitors and staff at various hospitals across the UAE. The annual initiative aims to enrich the quality of life and well-being of patients through the power of music.
More information:
For further information on Abu Dhabi Festival 2016 tickets, schedules, venues and performances please visit the Festival website
Abu Dhabi Festival 2016 Ticket Information
Students receive 50 per cent discount (ID required).
