UAE National Orchestra Concert In Sharjah Highlights Emirati Heritage And Innovation
Sheikh Dr. Salem bin Abdulrahman Al Qasimi attended the latest concert by the UAE National Orchestra at the Sharjah Performing Arts Academy Theatre in University City. The event marked a cultural moment for Sharjah, as it was the orchestra’s first performance of this kind in the emirate.
The concert concluded a nationwide programme of musical and artistic events led by the UAE National Orchestra. This initiative seeks to deepen public engagement with music, broaden access to cultural experiences, and highlight how artistic expression can reflect Emirati heritage while also supporting contemporary creativity across the United Arab Emirates.
The evening opened with the UAE National Anthem, followed by a curated programme that honoured Emirati musical traditions. The orchestra’s performance drew on melody, rhythm, and the theatre’s atmosphere to evoke early influences on Emirati music, such as poetry, social gatherings, daily routines, folk narratives, and shared community memories.
One of the main works presented was the symphony "Al Bidaya" (The Beginning), composed by Nadeem Turabi and performed publicly for the first time. The composition mixed traditional Emirati musical phrases with a symphonic framework and was presented alongside several international pieces, underscoring the orchestra’s dialogue between local and global music.
Sheikha Alia bint Khalid Al Qassimi, Managing Director of the UAE National Orchestra, delivered a speech that outlined the orchestra’s aims as a large-scale cultural project. Sheikha Alia explained how the orchestra supports the UAE’s wider civilisational progress and underlined the strong historical presence of music within Emirati society.
Discussing music’s place in human life, Sheikha Alia bint Khalid Al Qassimi said: "Music is the language the world speaks when words fail us, it transcends borders when walls isolate us, and unites emotions when thoughts and conflicts divide us. Through music, the cultures of nations and the stories of humankind merge, proving that the human experience is shared, regardless of race or ethnicity."
The programme also highlighted a wide spectrum of Emirati folk arts, including Al Taghruda, Al Ayyalah, Al Ahlah, and Al Nadbah. By integrating these forms into orchestral performance, the UAE National Orchestra presented an artistic experience that stressed identity, unity, and the role of music in carrying heritage across generations.
Across the evening, the concert showed how organised musical projects can preserve cultural memory while appealing to contemporary audiences. For Sharjah and the wider UAE, the event demonstrated how institutional support for the UAE National Orchestra can help maintain artistic traditions, strengthen community ties, and sustain interest in Emirati music for future audiences.
With inputs from WAM
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