The Abu Dhabi Festival will present a programme drawing together a prestigious line-up of world-renowned performers from across the world for this year’s event, according to Festival organisers, Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation. With a programme combining music, art, dance, jazz, ballet and fine arts, the Festival will showcase the very best from across the artistic spectrum.

Held under the patronage of His Highness General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, the Festival will celebrate its eighth edition in 2011. The theme for the 2011 Festival will be ‘Harmony for Humanity’, reflecting the unifying spirit of the arts in bringing people together in shared appreciation beyond the boundaries of language and culture.

A stunning blend of large-scale concerts, recitals and dramatic performances alongside exhibitions, workshops and debates, including many community-based educational activities. The Festival is truly a UAE-wide experience with activities scheduled across the seven emirates. Growing year-on-year, the Festival has swiftly established itself as an internationally regarded event and a demonstration of Abu Dhabi’s dedication to establishing itself as a capital of artistic excellence and cultural understanding.

“In the eight years since its establishment, expansion and growth the Abu Dhabi Festival has remained committed to the aim of presenting a combination of opportunities for people to share together in the special spirit of the arts to transcend the barriers between us in a celebration of excellence, talent and beauty,” said Her Excellency Mrs. Hoda I. Al Khamis Kanoo, Founder of the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation.

“We are 100% committed to delivering new and innovative ways for people to get involved in the Festival and discovering a passion for the arts, which is why we are thrilled to present such a wonderfully diverse programme alongside thriving and engaging community and education programmes. It is developing new passions and exploring new talents and experiences that will be the lasting legacy of the Festival in the creation of cultural innovators of the future,” she added.

H.E. Mrs. Kanoo was joined at the Festival launch by distinguished guests including Algerian artist Rachid Koraïchi, whose work will be shown as part of the Festival, H.E. Noura Al Kaabi, Head of twofour54 Tawasol, H.E Sarah Shuhail, Executive Director of Ewa’a Shelters for Women and Children to whom part of the proceeds of this year’s festival will be donated along with other selected charities and Abdullah Al Qubaisi, Director of Communications from Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage and Jordanian singer & songwriter Maccadi Nahas.

Following on from last year’s successful partnership with Poland, we are delighted to announce that Belgium has joined us as partner country and will bring to the Festival an outstanding array of talent that will include award-winning soloists from the elite Chapelle Musicale Reine Elisabeth. The extraordinary Belgian artist Isabelle de Borchgrave who will share her talent of interpreting history and culture through her art with Emirati children as part of the festival’s ongoing educational initiatives. We will also be joined by Paul DuJardin the Director General of the Centre for Fine Arts in Brussels and who will lead a series of panel discussions as part of our Riwaq Al Fikr events.

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