Officially launched by Oily Cart, the UK’s leading theatre company for special needs, Abu Dhabi Festival 2014, organised by the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF), opens today for its ground-breaking 11th edition. Comprising a diverse range of creative experiences spanning every art form, offering free community events as well as ticketed concerts, and presenting an array of local and international artistic collaborations, this year’s Abu Dhabi Festival launches its greatest programme to date, with events running across Abu Dhabi and the whole of the UAE from the 2nd – 31st March.

 Under the banner ‘Creative Innovation,’ this year’s Festival aims to take the UAE’s appreciation of music and the arts to new heights, as once again it becomes the central destination of the largest cultural Festival in the Middle East. Hosting a diverse line-up of musical performances that includes the likes of Herbie Hancock, Renee Fleming and Michel Fadel, as well as a number of workshops, exhibitions and lectures the Festival seek to create new and exciting ways for UAE citizens and visitors to access the arts and learn about cultural heritage. The Abu Dhabi Festival goes beyond entertainment in its commitment to place the arts at the heart of UAE society and establish Abu Dhabi as one of the leading cultural destinations in the world.

 H.E. Mrs Hoda I. Al Khamis-Kanoo, Founder of the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF) and the Abu Dhabi Festival: “From celebrating UAE cultural heritage and making it relevant today through the likes of The Story Mile and Dress the Mannequin, to driving a young music scene in Abu Dhabi with the upcoming The Space Sessions, empowering the youth through unique experiences of cultural diplomacy like The 10th Emirates International Peace Music Festival, and driving unique music collaborations between local UAE and international talent, we’ve really tried to surpass all previous Festivals. Measured by the Festival’s impact on society and integration within the country’s diverse communities, we hope that ADF 2014 will be a successful festival appreciated by all.”

 The Abu Dhabi Festival’s 11th edition under this year’s theme ‘Creative Innovation’ is the UAE’s premiere cultural event; bringing the best in international and regional dance, opera, music, and visual arts to the Emirates each year. The Festival began on the 2nd March with its nationwide education and community programmes. Its main programme of performances by Herbie Hancock, Renée Fleming, Miloš Karadaglić, the American Ballet Theatre, European Union Youth Orchestra, Michel Fadel and others runs until the 31st March, with Bill Fontana’s World Premier Exhibition and Mohammed Kazem’s Festival Commission continuing until 20th April.

For information on admission, schedules, venues and upcoming performances can be found on the Festival website: www.abudhabifestival.ae.

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