Abu Dhabi Festival 2012 Opens with New Commission and Arab World Premiere

The Abu Dhabi Festival, one of the United Arab Emirates' premier arts events, has opened its ninth edition, bringing to the Gulf its largest and most ambitious programme to date, featuring celebrated International Artists in new commissions and Arab World Premieres.

Building on the festival's theme, 'Connecting Cultures', the opening performance by sitar player Anoushka Shankar, explored links between Indian music and Spanish flamenco.

Meanwhile in the visual arts, Iraqi artist and calligrapher explores Arabic script in his new exhibition 'Gestures of Light' now showing at the Ghaf Gallery from March until April 15.

Speaking of the opening, Her Excellency Mrs. Hoda I. Al Khamis Kanoo, Founder and Artistic Director of the Abu Dhabi Festival, said: "We are honoured to present International Artists of such renown at Abu Dhabi, and we are delighted to welcome audiences once again to the Festival. In particular this year our theme 'Connecting Cultures' explores the role of the arts in creating mutual understanding between people from diverse cultures and traditions. The diverse audiences of Abu Dhabi, and our visitors from around the world, are all welcome at our most wide-ranging festival to date."

The Country of Honour this year is the United Kingdom, a country with whom the Festival has established a number of notable strategic partnerships, including the Royal Opera House, Manchester International Festival and Edinburgh International Festival. The country will be represented by several events making their Arab world debut, with leading British arts organisations giving performances and education workshops.

The festival will be bringing the Royal Opera House to the Gulf for the first time, to give the first public performance of 'Beloved Friend' inspired by the letters of Tchaikovsky and featuring celebrated actor Simon Russell-Beale, written by the Oscar-winning playwright Ronald Harwood. The production includes dancers from the Royal Ballet.

For more information, visit www.abudhabifestival.ae.