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Abu Dhabi Festival Founder to honor Japan-UAE friendship with special performances

The festival will feature 12 headline performances starting with The New Japan Philharmonic Orchestra. (Abu Dhabi Music and Foundation)
The festival will feature 12 headline performances starting with The New Japan Philharmonic Orchestra. (Abu Dhabi Music and Foundation)
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31 Jan 2025 02:01:55 GMT9
31 Jan 2025 02:01:55 GMT9

Arab News Japan

ABU DHABI: Hosted by the Abu Dhabi Music and Foundation, the annual Abu Dhabi Festival will have Japan as its country of honor as it brings iconic Japanese performances to the UAE capital next year to celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries. 

Opening on Feb. 7, the festival will feature 12 headline performances starting with The New Japan Philharmonic Orchestra alongside legendary Japanese conductor Yutaka Sado, star tenor Jonathan Tetelman, and rising pianist Kyohei Sorita.

Huda Ibrahim Al Khamis-Kanoo, Founder of Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation and Founder of Abu Dhabi Festival, said: “The home of our festival, Abu Dhabi, is a city in which countless cultures meet and exchange, creating new ideas and possibilities, in unity and in harmony. From Abu Dhabi rises a universal call to beauty, to mutual respect, which humanity so needs today.”

“Through commemorating Japan as our country of honour at the Abu Dhabi Festival 2025, we are celebrating more than fifty years of friendship, mutual respect and bilateral relations between Japan and the UAE,” the founder said. “In honour of this extraordinary culture and its deeply rooted traditions, we are presenting exceptional works by world-renowned Japanese orchestras and artists, alongside international performers, for the first time in the Arab world and the Middle East.”

She continued: “The Festival’s Abroad programme will also mark several historic milestones, including the world premiere of Debussy’s Pelléas et Mélisande, directed by Lebanese Canadian Wajdi Mouawad, and co-produced with the revered Opéra National de Paris. This will set a thrilling precedent for the entire region, as it marks the first collaboration of its kind between Opéra National de Paris and the Arab world.”

The festival will also feature a performance from Japanese troupe KODO, renowned percussionist Kuniko Kato, and a Japanese taiko performing arts ensemble. 

Other highlights include South Korean pianist Yunchan Lim performing Bach’s iconic Goldberg Variations, the Korean National University of Arts Symphony Orchestra, and an all-star ballet gala. 

With a spectacular lineup featuring world-renowned talent, including prestigious orchestras, taiko ensembles, opera, and solo recital series, the festival promises to engage and inspire audiences on both local and international stages. 

OKANIWA Ken, Ambassador of Japan to the UAE, said that Japan is proud to be part of the event. “I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to the Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation for organizing the 22nd Abu Dhabi Festival. This year is a very special occasion, as Japan has been designated as the Guest Country of Honour. We are truly delighted to be part of this event.” 

“The festival features performances by top musicians from Japan, namely, the New Japan Philharmonic Orchestra, “Kodo” (Taiko Performing Arts Ensemble) and Kuniko Kato (Percussions). While their respective genres vary from classic to traditional and modern, music grounded in creativity and Japanese excellence is sure to enchant the audience. Music is an art that transcends languages and brings people together. I look forward to the festival promoting mutual understanding and friendship between Japan, the United Arab Emirates and other countries,” he added. 

Moreover, UAE’s Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan said that the festival is a great opportunity to celebrate Japanese culture and to celebrate the Japan-UAE ties. “Year after year, the Abu Dhabi Festival reinforces its leading position as a platform that conveys to the world the UAE’s message of upholding the values of peace, harmony, and diversity and building bridges of cultural communication between different civilisations and people. As the festival celebrates Japan as the guest country of honor of this edition, we emphasise the depth of bilateral relations and enduring friendship between our two countries that dates back more than 50 years and is based on a long history of strategic cooperation at various levels.”

“The festival continues its leading role in stimulating cultural dialogue with our international partners and working to raise awareness of the importance of creativity and innovation in the renaissance of countries and the development of societies. We look forward to an inspiring and innovative new series as the Abu Dhabi Festival continues its pioneering journey and its important role in strengthening the country’s position as a unique model of cultural and civilisational diversity,” he added. 

UAE’s Minister of Culture also commented on the festival, saying, “This festival demonstrates Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation’s commitment to empowering the cultural and creative industries sector in the country to stimulate the cultural dialogue and contribute to presenting an Emirati culture that inspires the world and highlights our national identity through the cultural diplomacy initiatives organised by the festival within the framework of its abroad program. These efforts bring people closer together with the values of coexistence and openness and build bridges of cooperation between countries. We affirm our joint commitment to deepen cultural relations between the UAE and Japan, which will be hosted by the festival as the country of honor for its 2025 edition, thus contributing to highlighting its rich culture and diverse artistic heritage.”

Furthermore, Abu Dhabi’s Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism, Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, said that the festival will enhance relations between the two countries. “This year’s selection of Japan as guest of honor at the festival will make for an especially exciting event, showcasing the diversity and richness of Japanese culture to Abu Dhabi audiences. The UAE and Japan have a history of bilateral relations going back more than fifty years, and I look forward to seeing our cultural ties strengthened even further.” 

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