ADF supports Shubbak Festival, London?s biennial celebration of contemporary Arab culture

ABU DHABI, 7th July, 2015 (WAM) -- Abu Dhabi Festival, ADF, organised by the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation, ADMAF, will be supporting a series of music and arts initiatives during Shubbak festival, London?s largest biennial festival of contemporary Arab culture from 11 to 26 July.

Held at multiple locations across London, Shubbak has become a highpoint in the arts calendar of the UK and the Arab world, engaging London audiences with an ambitious programme of visual arts, film, music, theatre, dance, literature and debate.

As part of its mission to support Arab creativity and nurture cross-cultural dialogue and understanding, ADF will support two music concerts on 11 July in cooperation with the Foundation for Arab Music Archiving & Research, AMAR, along with a 10-day visual art installation by Khalid Shafar in partnership with Dubai Design District between 16 to 26 July.

Hoda Al Khamis-Kanoo, Founder of the ADMAF and Artistic Director of the ADF, said, "Over the years, Abu Dhabi Festival has been collaborating with numerous UK cultural organisations. By enabling dialogue and exchange between the UAE and UK, we have been able to share the wealth of artistic expression that each country has to offer. We are delighted to highlight the region?s creativity this summer, and jointly celebrate Arab culture through our participation in Shubbak." Omar Al Qattan, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Shubbak, commented, "This is a wonderful opportunity for collaboration between the two festivals, both of which have exciting international ambitions and can only lead to greater exposure and opportunity for the artists involved." The first concert on July 11, entitled Homage to Sami Al Shawa, commemorates the 50th anniversary of the famous Arab violinist, Sami Al Shawa?s death, and the second concert on July 11 entitled Burda: Asil Ensemble & Karima Skalli, will see the Moroccan singer Karima Skalli, and The Asil Ensemble perform a series of classical Burdas ? famous song-cycles, which combine poetry and music.