Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF) announced Monday an exceptional headline programme of concerts, performances and exhibitions as part of Abu Dhabi Festival 2018 (ADF18). With more than 100 events, 26 productions, one co-production and 16 commissions across 30 venues, the Festival returns for its 15th year with an illustrious mix of artists, genres and nationalities as it celebrates India as the ‘Country of Honour’ and joins the nation in marking 2018 as the ‘Year of Zayed’ – underscoring its commitment to future generations by championing cultural exchange, creativity and innovation in the arts.

The month-long festival of arts and culture – to be held in March 2018, celebrating the ‘Year of Zayed’ and the cultural wealth of India as the ‘Country of Honour’, will be held under the patronage of Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance, to present more than 500 international artists from 30 different countries and feature masterpieces by more than 40 composers.

Speaking at the press launch held at the Emirates Palace, just one of the venues of Abu Dhabi Festival’s annual headline programme, Huda Alkhamis-Kanoo, Founder of ADMAF and Artistic Director of ADF, said: "Sheikh Zayed once said "knowledge and culture are the cornerstones of civilisation, progress and nation-building." We celebrate the year of Sheikh Zayed not only to honor a beloved leader from the past, but because his spirit lives on in us as an appeal to the future. Sheikh Zayed built a nation by practicing tolerance, hope and inclusion rather than fear and rejection and we honor this legacy by continuing this wonderful message.'' ''We are inspired to weave the elegant and intricate balance between tradition and modernity. We rejoice in the diversity of seven Emirates complementing each other, but also the cultural diversity within the United Arab Emirates, which is home to so many different nationalities, living side by side in harmony and prosperity."

She continued: "2017 marks the opening of our spectacular Louvre Abu Dhabi, which traces the powerful message of human universality amid cultural diversity echoing the journey of the Abu Dhabi Festival. As we continue to discover and learn, we truly take pleasure in sharing with all in the Capital and the seven Emirates the extraordinary gift which Sheikh Zayed has granted us."

In recognition of the announcement of India being named Abu Dhabi Festival 2018’s country of honour, Navdeep Sing Suri, Indian Ambassador to the UAE commented, "It is a matter of pride that India has been chosen as the Guest of Honour for the 2018 edition of Abu Dhabi Festival. We look forward to working closely with Hoda Kanoo and her team to bring some of the finest elements of Indian culture to the arts loving people of Abu Dhabi."

The Festival’s Community Programmes will include a calendar of events, exhibitions, performances and workshops to provide engaging, innovative and inspiring platforms for people of all ages to enjoy.

Highlights during 2018 include the return of Festival in the Park with two nights of performances and workshops from an eclectic line-up of innovative musicians including Gilles Chuyen, The Raghu Dixet Project, Nesma Abdul Aziz and Zahed Sultan; Music in Hospitals; Festival in Focus; and Ministry of Science – Arabic, and film screenings from India amongst many others.

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