Dubai Festival For Youth Music To Showcase Emerging Talent On November 20 At Etihad Museum

The Dubai Culture and Arts Authority is gearing up for the third edition of the Dubai Festival for Youth Music. This initiative focuses on discovering, nurturing, and empowering young talent in various musical arts. The festival aims to inspire young creatives to follow their artistic passions, support music centres, and invigorate the local music scene with new talent.

This year's festival will take place at the Etihad Museum on 20th November. It will feature over 85 talented participants from across the UAE. These young artists will compete in five main categories: Best Vocal Performance, Best Arabic Instrumental Performance (Oud), Best Classical Instrumental Performance (Violin), Best Piano Performance, and Best Ensemble Performance.

Dr. Aref Alshaikh has been honoured with the title 'Musical Personality of the Year' by Dubai Culture. This recognition highlights his significant literary contributions and his influential role in enriching the local cultural landscape. Dr. Alshaikh is a renowned poet in the UAE, known for penning the national anthem and authoring over 60 poetry and literature publications.

Fatma Al Jallaf, Acting Director of the Performing Arts Department at Dubai Culture, stated, "Through the Dubai Festival for Youth Music, Dubai Culture aims to create a sustainable creative environment that supports and empowers talent, offering them platforms to flourish. We hope to inspire them to continue their artistic journeys and to contribute, through their musical abilities, to the strength of the cultural and creative industries."

The festival invites young Emirati musicians and UAE-based artists aged 15 to 35 to participate. This includes solo vocalists, bands, and instrumentalists from both traditional and contemporary backgrounds. Participants must submit original musical works that comply with UAE laws and have not been previously showcased at other festivals.

Submissions should reflect community values and traditions while being produced locally by individual artists or music groups. This requirement ensures that entries are authentic representations of local culture.

The festival not only provides a platform for emerging artists but also enriches the cultural fabric of Dubai by encouraging creativity among youth. By supporting these talents, Dubai Culture hopes to strengthen the cultural and creative industries in the region.

With inputs from WAM