Abu Dhabi Festival 2025 Announces Exciting Programme Celebrating Cultural Diversity And Japan

The Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF) has unveiled the programme for the 22nd Abu Dhabi Festival, starting on 7th February 2025. This edition, themed "Abu Dhabi – A World of Harmony," celebrates cultural diversity and artistic excellence, with Japan as the honoured country. The event is held under the honorary patronage of H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

H.H. Sheikh Abdullah highlighted the festival's role in promoting peace and cultural communication globally. He stated, "Year after year, the Abu Dhabi Festival reinforces its leading position as a platform that conveys to the world the UAE's message of upholding the values of peace, harmony and diversity and building bridges of cultural communication between different civilisations and people." The festival also underscores the long-standing friendship between the UAE and Japan.

The festival will feature 12 headline performances, including exclusive co-productions making their regional debut. The New Japan Philharmonic Orchestra will perform on 7th and 8th February with conductor Yutaka Sado, tenor Jonathan Tetelman, and pianist Kyohei Sorita. During Ramadan, Sheikh Mahmoud El-Tohamy will revive Inshad spiritual chanting traditions.

Other highlights include performances by renowned percussionist Kuniko Kato and an opera gala featuring tenor Javier Camarena and soprano Jessica Pratt with the Korean National University of Arts Symphony Orchestra conducted by Toufic Maatouk. Violinist Augustin Hadelich will perform works by Bach among others.

The festival's international programme includes a historic collaboration with Opera National de Paris for Debussy's Pelléas et Mélisande, directed by Wajdi Mouawad. This marks a significant milestone in classical opera's engagement with the Arab world. Visual arts exhibitions will be showcased in partnership with Seoul Museum of Art across China, Japan, and Singapore.

Ken Okaniwa, Ambassador of Japan to the UAE, noted that top Japanese musicians like New Japan Philharmonic Orchestra and "Kodo" Taiko Ensemble will perform at the festival. He mentioned that their diverse genres reflect creativity rooted in Japanese excellence.

Empowering Emirati Culture

Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qasimi praised ADMAF for inspiring Emirati artists over two decades. He said, "We appreciate the role of the Abu Dhabi Festival in stimulating the creative cultural movement in the UAE." The Ministry of Culture partners with ADMAF to support Emirati talent and strengthen ties with Japan.

Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak from Abu Dhabi's Department of Culture emphasised how the festival boosts Abu Dhabi's cultural ecosystem. He stated that it helps position Abu Dhabi as a creative hub by bringing global artists to inspire young talents locally.

A Platform for Global Creativity

The festival is under H.H. Sheikha Shamsa bint Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Nahyan's patronage. It aims to present an ambitious joint cultural initiative through its visual arts exhibitions worldwide. Huda Ibrahim Al Khamis-Kanoo from ADMAF highlighted these efforts as part of their mission to foster cross-cultural dialogue.

Homaid Al Shimmari from Mubadala Investment Company expressed delight in continuing their partnership with ADMAF. He remarked on how this edition would further enrich Abu Dhabi’s vibrant cultural scene by enhancing its status as a global arts hub.

With inputs from WAM