A photo from Abu Dhabi festival 2020
Lately, it seems like Dubai is bringing us a new festival every other day.
From the Al Hosn festival bringing arts and culture to Qasr Al Hosn later this month, to the Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival happening in Al Wathbah, to the mother of the Nation Festival taking the Abu Dhabi Corniche by storm in early December – there’s so much to do, we’re not sure where to begin.
The Abu Dhabi Festival is back celebrating the 50th anniversary of the United Arab Emirates. It will welcome artists from all around the world to Abu Dhabi in 2022.
The yearly festival is the largest cultural celebration in the region, with a global audience. Throughout the year, artists from visual art, opera, classical music, jazz, dance, film, and literature will perform and create work to celebrate Abu Dhabi's wealth of culture and art.
Over 1,000 artists from all over the world will present over 300 live and internet events. In addition, two global tours and 17 world debuts will be part of the festival
This also marks the 19th edition of the Abu Dhabi Festival, so it's safe to say it's a very significant year for the UAE.
The festival’s theme will be "Crafting the Emirates State of Mind: Creation, Innovation, and Joy. " And will include a colorful lineup of one-of-a-kind events that combine conventional and high-tech virtual acts.
During a press conference to announce details of the Abu Dhabi festival, Huda I. Alkhamis-Kanoo, Founder of the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation and Founder and Artistic Director of Abu Dhabi Festival said, “Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation has strived to support visionary artists who allow us each year to witness this intricate process.”
She proceeded by saying, “Over the last 25 years, we have been privileged, as an organization, as individuals and as citizens, to be part of a vision that was brought to life by our late founder, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who crafted the UAE and shaped our society.”
The festival will be a hybrid program of events that includes both live and online music and dance performances.