Abu Dhabi Festival to feature opera, orchestra, jazz and more
Republic of Korea named as ‘Country of Honour’ for festival starting on February 25
Celebrating the best of art and culture, the line-up for the 16th annual edition of the Abu Dhabi Festival was announced yesterday, with more than 100 events, 500 artists, 18 productions, 25 venues, and 17 countries set to feature.
Running next year from February 25 to March 30, the festival will have performances across multiple art genres including opera, ballet, orchestra, jazz and flamenco.
Organisers also announced that South Korea would be the ‘Country of Honour’, with acts such as the Korean National Ballet and the Korean Symphony Orchestra taking part.
Emirati artist Hamdan Butti Al Shamsi; Peter Wheeler, CEO of Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019; Huda I. Al Khamis Kanoo, founder of Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation and artistic director of Abu Dhabi Festival; Aurellie Dupont, dance director of the Paris Opera Ballet and Yeon Jean Yoon, deputy head of mission of South Korea to the UAE, were present at a press conference to announce details of the festival.
“Today, the festival enters its 16th year and we are all proud of its status as one of the leading, most prominent culture and arts festivals in the region and the world beyond,” said Kanoo. “We celebrate Korea being the ‘Country of Honour’ for ■
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the 2019 Abu Dhabi Festival, a country of immense heritage, steady in its modernisation and benefiting from its creative sources, its rich culture and the beauty of its arts,” she added.
Yeon-jean Yoon said: “Our
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partnership [with the UAE] is not only about political and economic matters, but also cultural matters. This festival will provide a wonderful opportunity for us to strengthen this cooperation [in cultural relations].”
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