As part of its 19th edition held under the theme ‘Crafting the Emirates State of Mind: creation, innovation and joy’, Abu Dhabi Festival 2021 presents the UN Chamber Music Society in celebration of World Arabic Language Day at Carnegie Hall in New York City on Friday, December 17.
Her Excellency Huda Ibrahim Alkhamis, Founder of the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation, and Founder and Artistic Director of Abu Dhabi Festival, said: “I would like to thank the UN Chamber Music Society and everyone who made this performance possible. Today, we celebrate the Arabic language, the pearl of our civilization. For thousands of years, it has been a language of broad creativity and ingenuity, as the late Egyptian poet Hafiz Ibrahim wrote, ‘It is an ocean in which great treasures dwell.’
With its wealth of possibilities for expression, its flowing artistic letters and its variety of forms, Arabic is the foundation of our identity, values and culture. Let us work to preserve all the languages of the world and pass them on to future generations, for they are our shared heritage. Let us celebrate language through music, the marvelous soul of the universe, the source of joy and the heartbeat of life,” she added.
Under Abu Dhabi Festival’s vision to celebrate and revive Arabic poetry, the concert features a vibrant selection of classical music and songs, including sung poems like Give Me The Flute by Gibran Khalil Gibran; Eid al ashak (Celebration of Lovers) by the great poet Nizar Qabbani; and Rahib (Magnificent) by Salem Al Khalidi. The musicians will also perform charming poems by Ibn Arabi and Mahmoud Darwish, as well as pieces by rising Syrian-American composer Faraj Abyad, who will perform with the orchestra.
Her Excellency Lana Zaki Nusseibeh, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the United Arab Emirates to the United Nations, commented: “As we look towards the celebration of Arabic language, we are reminded of the significance, vibrance and diversity of the Arab culture around the world. The UAE is proud to showcase its role as a global beacon of arts and culture through the Abu Dhabi Festival; we are pleased to partner with the UN Chamber of Music Society for a unique presentation at the Carnegie Hall to celebrate the world Arabic language day.”.
“We recognise that music has the ability to bridge and promote values that we hold dear: compassion, tolerance and understanding between cultures and for this reason we believe that fostering talents and nurturing future artists are more vital than ever before.”
The UN Chamber Music Society of the United Nations Staff Recreation Council (UNCMS) is a group of accomplished musicians and admirers of classical chamber music within the international community – which promotes the values of the United Nations through the universal language of music. The group embraces the passion and intimacy of chamber music, which has the creative power to move audiences and help promote the universal ideals, principles and values enshrined in the United Nations Charter – such as the ideals of peace, respect for human rights, respect for cultures, the dignity and worth of the human person and the equal rights of men and women. Founded in 2016 by Brenda Vongova, the UN Chamber Music Society is dedicated to promoting the UN goals at large through the universal language of music.
During the concert, the UN Chamber Music Society featured the Carnegie Hall debut of the solo violin composition of “Longa, Op.1,” performed and composed by
Yamen Saadi.
The 19th edition of Abu Dhabi Festival is held under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Shamsa Bint Hamdan Al Nahyan and supported by lead partner Mubadala Investment Company (Mubadala) and energy partner GS Energy. Abu Dhabi Festival 2022 encompasses more than 1,000 participating artists from around the world to present more than 300 performances and events, with two world tours and 17 world premieres.
