Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority Welcomes the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra for UAE Debut

Orchestra unites musicians to promote expression and intercultural understanding during inaugural performance in the Emirates

Abu Dhabi, January 16, 2013 – Continuing with Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority’s (TCA Abu Dhabi) Encounters between East and West performances that commenced with a celebration of Richard Wagner in December, a unique musical experience by the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra will debut in the UAE on 23 January 2014 at Emirates Palace.

Having performed in several Arab countries since 2003, the Orchestra returns to the region with its youthful musicians from the Near East as well as Europe. Led by esteemed pianist, conductor and founder of the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra, Daniel Barenboim, the group’s Abu Dhabi performance will deliver an exclusive experience of classical music featuring compositions such as Sinfonia Concertante by Mozart and Beethoven’s timeless Symphony No. 7.

HE Sheikh Sultan bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Chairman of TCA Abu Dhabi says of this forthcoming event: “TCA Abu Dhabi offers opportunities for artistic appreciation of an increasing number of performing arts which complements creativity and education established in the city. This latest performance represents both our, and the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra’s mission – crossing borders and boundaries to share the many benefits of the arts.”

Founded in 1999 by Maestro Daniel Barenboim and the late literary scholar Edward Said, the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra brings together musicians with the aim to foster dialogue and intercultural understanding through an impartial and unprejudiced devotion to their art, regardless of political and societal borders. Meeting every summer in Seville, Spain, the musicians participate in a programme of workshops, rehearsals, lectures and discussions, followed by an international concert tour.

The performance takes place on the 23 January at 8pm in the Emirates Palace auditorium and is complimentary (however prior registration is required). For more information or to book, please visit http://www.saadiyatculturaldistrict.ae, email [email protected] or phone 02 6575800. The performance has been organised with the support of the German Embassy.

ABOUT THE WEST-EASTERN DIVAN ORCHESTRA
Founded in 1999 by the acclaimed conductor and pianist Daniel Barenboim and the late Palestinian literary scholar Edward Said, the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra brings together musicians from the near East as well as Europe with the aim to perform music and promote reflection and understanding. They meet each summer in Seville, Spain, for a workshop, where rehearsals are complemented by lectures and discussions and followed by an international concert tour. Since 2002 the workshop and orchestra is based in Seville and is funded by the regional government of Andalusia (Junta de Andalucía). The Barenboim-Said Foundation was established in 2004 and hosts music education projects in various countries. An exciting new project is the foundation of the Barenboim-Said Academy in Berlin which will develop the concept of the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra into a groundbreaking educational program.

The West-Eastern Divan Orchestra has proved time and again that music can break down barriers previously considered insurmountable. Through its work and existence, it demonstrates that bridges can be built to encourage people to listen to the narrative of the other. Based on this notion of equality, cooperation and justice for all, the orchestra represents an alternative model to the current situation in the Middle East. All further information at: www.west-eastern-divan.org

ABOUT ABU DHABI TOURISM & CULTURE AUTHORITY (TCA Abu Dhabi)
Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority conserves and promotes the heritage and culture of Abu Dhabi emirate and leverages them in the development of a world-class, sustainable destination of distinction, which enriches the lives of visitors and residents alike. The authority manages the emirate’s tourism sector and markets the destination internationally through a wide range of activities aimed at attracting visitors and investment. Its policies, plans and programmes relate to the preservation of heritage and culture, including protecting archaeological and historical sites and to developing museums, including the Louvre Abu Dhabi, Zayed National Museum and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi. TCA Abu Dhabi supports intellectual and artistic activities and cultural events to nurture a rich cultural environment and honour the emirate’s heritage. A key authority role is to create synergy in the destination’s development through close co-ordination with its wide-ranging stakeholder base.