The event, co-produced by the Abu Dhabi Festival in partnership with the Belgian Centre for Fine Arts, will present a fusion of classical Fasl and Arab-Andalusian music by stalwarts of each craft.
In its 18th edition and under the theme ‘The Future Starts Now,’ Abu Dhabi Festival (ADF) announces a unique concert at Bozar in Brussels, Belgium on November 11th.
The event, co-produced by the Abu Dhabi Festival in partnership with the Belgian Centre for Fine Arts, will present a fusion of classical Fasl and Arab-Andalusian music by stalwarts of each craft.
The audience is promised a night of great melodies and a sensational meeting of cultures from around the world.
Morocco’s Mohamed Briouel, master of Arab-Andalusian music, is collaborating with Turkish Fasl specialist Kudsi Erguner, who is synonymous with Ottoman Sufi music. A performer and teacher, he is above all one of the greatest Turkish virtuosos of the ney, an oblique flute.
HE. Huda Ebrahim Alkhamis, Founder of the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF) and Artistic Director of Abu Dhabi Festival, said: “Our support for Arab artists abroad, to bring the wonder and beauty of music from the Arab world to audiences around the globe, is at the heart of Abu Dhabi Festival”.
“Mohamed Briouel, the leading figure in Arab-Andalusian music, and Ottoman music master Kudsi Erguner, coming together is a must-see encounter. Their creative collaboration celebrates the meeting of cultures through music and represents Abu Dhabi Festival’s efforts to build bridges of understanding between people and nations”, she added
Aside from the Brussels Centre for Fine Arts, Abu Dhabi Festival’s partners for the show include Bozar Music, Darna Cultural Centre, Moussem Nomadic Arts Centre, Seyer Music, and the non-profit organization Takasim.
HE. Huda Ebrahim Alkhamis, Founder of the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF) and Artistic Director of Abu Dhabi Festival, said: “Our support for Arab artists abroad, to bring the wonder and beauty of music from the Arab world to audiences around the globe, is at the heart of Abu Dhabi Festival”.
Arab-Andalusian and Ottoman music are fruits of intercultural encounters. Both genres have a long history of socially enriching and intellectually stimulating amalgamation. Within the former, there are flavours of medieval Spanish, Afro-Berber, and Arab tunes while the latter has been influenced by Turkish, Arab, Persian, Greek, Jewish, and Armenian melodies.
The concert at Bozar Hall is a product of months of collaboration between musicians from Morocco, Turkey, and Belgium. The participating crew has undergone several workshops and master classes on the two classical music styles, which resulted in a captivating show.
The 18th edition of Abu Dhabi Festival is supported by its lead partner Mubadala Investment Company (Mubadala) and energy partner GS Energy.
The year-long programme for the 18th edition combines a unique hybrid schedule of virtual and in-person performances, exhibitions and events by over 500 artists from more than 50 countries.
The festival will provide audiences with 16 exciting world premieres, 12 festival productions, eight global co-productions and four exclusive commissions, with 1 global music tour.
About Abu Dhabi Festival
Founded in 2004, Abu Dhabi Festival was initially a small arts and culture platform that soon graduated to one of the world’s premiere annual events. Held in the UAE, it celebrates artistic and creative excellence, and promotes the role of music and the arts in bringing nations closer. It also promotes Abu Dhabi as a leading global hub for creativity and as an Emirati beacon for respect and tolerance.
Strengthened by a growing network of 30 international partners, the festival brings audiences together each year to enjoy world premieres and exclusive commissions in the UAE and around the world.
For more information, please visit www.abudhabifestival.ae
Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation
Founded in 1996, ADMAF is one of the oldest, not-for-profit cultural organisations in the Arabian Gulf. Pioneering new artistic practices, it seeks to deepen global cross-cultural dialogue and inspire a renewed interest in the creativity of the UAE and Arab world. Often in partnership with leading national and international institutions, it delivers multidisciplinary initiatives for people of all ages, backgrounds and nationalities through the Abu Dhabi Festival, year-round youth platforms and community programmes.
For more information, please visit www.admaf.org
About Mubadala Investment Company
Mubadala Investment Company is a sovereign investor managing a global portfolio, aimed at generating sustainable financial returns for the Government of Abu Dhabi.
Mubadala’s $243.4 billion (AED 894 billion) portfolio spans six continents with interests in multiple sectors and asset classes. We leverage our deep sectoral expertise and long-standing partnerships to drive sustainable growth and profit, while supporting the continued diversification and global integration of the economy of the United Arab Emirates.
Headquartered in Abu Dhabi, Mubadala has offices in London, Rio de Janeiro, Moscow, New York, San Francisco and Beijing.
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