
String quartet to make music magic at Abu Dhabi Festival
ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)Master violinist Yamen Saadi returns to the Abu Dhabi Festival's recital series, leading a line-up of exceptional talent including violist Sara Ferrandez and cellists Kian Soltani and Pablo Ferrandez. Saadi, born in Nazareth, joined the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra at 11, became concertmaster at 17, and by 25 was leading both the Vienna State Opera Orchestra and Vienna Philharmonic.Sara Ferrandez, from Madrid, also a member of the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra, has performed with the Berlin Philharmonic's Karajan Academy and Anne-Sophie Mutter's Virtuosi ensemble.Pablo Ferrandez, praised for his technique, spirit, charm and authority as a soloist, received an Opus Klassik Award for his album, Reflections.Soltani, born in Bregenz to a family of Persian musicians, gained global recognition after winning the Helsinki International Cello Competition in 2013 and recently earned the Innovative Listening Experience Award for his album "Cello Unlimited".
Watch "Unique Encounters with Rising Stars" at The Blue Room at The Arts Center at NYU Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island, on April 26 at 7.30pm.
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Al Etihad
3 days ago
- Al Etihad
Under the patronage of Nahyan bin Zayed, 31st Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival to take place from August 15-24
14 Aug 2025 10:16 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Nahyan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, the 31st Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival will take place from August 15-24, by the Abu Dhabi Chess & Mind Games Club under the supervision of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, the event will be held at the Radisson Blu Hotel & Resort, Abu Dhabi Corniche, with total prizes amounting to Dh 500, year's festival will have the largest number of participants in its history, with more than 3,000 players representing 82 countries – an increase of more than 500 participants compared to the previous edition – placing it among the world's leading chess festivals, surpassing many prestigious international festival will feature 27 tournaments covering various age groups and skill levels, led by the Masters Tournament, along with three new mind sports competitions: checkers, dominoes, and Chess960 (Fischer Random Chess) – a step that reflects the diversity and appeal of the activities to a broader audience of mind games Abdullah Al Khouri, Chairman of the Organising Committee, emphasised that the festival has become one of the most important events on the global chess calendar, attracting top-tier players from around the world. He stressed that this sustained success over more than three decades reflects the wise vision and continuous support of the UAE Khouri said: 'We are proud that the Abu Dhabi festival is a global platform that brings together chess champions from all continents, and we see it as an opportunity to enhance the UAE's reputation as a leading hub for sports and cultural events.'He also praised the support of Abu Dhabi Sports Council and the sponsorship of strategic partners, led by e& Group, Nirvana Holding, the Italian International School, Mohammed Rasool Khoory & Sons, Radisson Blu Hotel, and St. Regis Hotel, valuing their contributions to the success of the on the competition, Aref Hamad Al Awani, Secretary General of Abu Dhabi Sports Council, highlighted that the continuous organisation of the Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival for over three decades reaffirms its status as one of the world's most prominent chess and mind sports Awani said: 'The strong turnout of elite international players and participants from all over the world reflects the trust and prestige the festival enjoys, reinforcing Abu Dhabi's role as a key destination on the global sports map." He added: "This success is the result of the unlimited support of our wise leadership and the directives of His Highness Sheikh Nahyan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, which have enabled the festival to grow into an exceptional platform for discovering talent, honing the skills of local players, and promoting cultural and sporting exchange among nations."'I am also pleased to take this opportunity to commend the great efforts of the Abu Dhabi Chess & Mind Games Club in developing the game of chess through a range of plans, programmes, courses, and hosting initiatives which have fulfilled the club's founding mission.'At the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, we reaffirm our support for this major annual event on Abu Dhabi's sports calendar. We are proud of its global significance and its appeal to international players from across the globe, and we wish everyone success.'Faisal Ahmed Al Shihi, Festival Director, confirmed that the 31st edition of the Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival continues to shine by achieving record participation numbers, with more than 3,000 players from 82 countries already confirmed. The fact that the festival has been running for 31 consecutive years is a clear testament to its success and distinction as one of the world's top chess fans can look forward to the participation of the UAE's top players, led by Imran Al Hosani – West Asia Youth Champion, Arab Youth Champion, and UAE Men's Champion –and Roza Issa Al Serkal, alongside an elite lineup of world champions in various age categories, headed by Masters Tournament top seed Sanan Sjugirov and second seed Arkadij Naiditsch. Also representing the UAE in different age categories are national champion Ammar Al Sderani, Arab Girls Champion Ahlam Rashid, Abdulrahman Al Taher, and Hamad Al matches will be broadcast live on the websites of the International, Asian, and Arab Chess Federations, allowing fans worldwide to follow the action moment by panel of international arbiters is chaired by Saeed Ahmed Al Khouri, with the participation of arbiters from the UAE, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Romania, and the Philippines. The festival also serves as a cultural and tourism showcase for Abu Dhabi, offering participating delegations the opportunity to explore the UAE capital's landmarks and cultural heritage through accompanying tourism programmes, further enhancing its status as a global destination for both sport and tourism. Source: Aletihad - Abu Dhabi


The National
3 days ago
- The National
Weekly UAE museum & gallery guide: Last chance to see Malaysia's artistic transformation
This week's exhibitions are rooted in specific cultural geographies. From the Persian traditions in Reza Derakshani 's paintings to a group exhibition that offers a cross-section of Middle Eastern contemporary art and Malaysia's journey to modern nationhood, each show is informed by the visual language of its place of origin. Here are three exhibitions to look out for. I Paint Your Grace, I Paint Your Pain, I Paint Love at Leila Heller Gallery Reza Derakshani 's first solo exhibition in five years brings together pieces from three bodies of work by the Iranian-American artist. In The Hunt / Rider series, he draws from Persian miniatures and poetry and the artist's experiences growing up in north-eastern Iran. The series features horses as a metaphor for the pursuit of meaning and freedom. The Day and Night / Fig Leaf series embeds imagery from Persian conceptions of paradise. In the Migration / Grey Zone series, meanwhile, Derakshani blends abstraction and figuration to trace his movement across various geographic and artistic landscapes, including symbols such as turtles and fragmented maps of Iran. I Paint Your Grace, I Paint Your Pain, I Paint Love is a sharp entry point into Derakshani's practice, showcasing his deft exploration of personal and socio-political topics through Persian artistic traditions. Monday to Friday, 10am-7pm; Saturday, 11am-7pm; until September 15, Leila Heller Gallery, Dubai Tajammul at XVA Gallery Tajammul is a group show that spans painting, sculpture, photography and mixed media. It brings together works by 16 artists including Basil Alkazzi, Hussein Almohasen, Imran Channa, Behdad Lahooti, Colleen Quigley, David Howarth, Debjani Bhardwaj, Elizabeth Dorazio, Moussa Tiba, Richard Ketley, Morteza Zahedi, Charlotte de Bekker, CC (Alireza Asbahi), Mahmoud Hamadani and Oussama Garti. The show's title is drawn from the Arabic word for beauty and, according to the exhibition literature, offers a snapshot of the contemporary artistic landscape of the Middle East, celebrating aesthetic diversity and layered cultural narratives. Tajammul is curated by Carina Vicente. Monday to Sunday, 10am-6pm, until September 11, XVA Gallery, Dubai To Know Malaysia is to Love Malaysia at the Cultural Foundation To Know Malaysia is to Love Malaysia: Highlights from the AFK Collection is now in its last month. The group exhibition at the Cultural Foundation features works by influential first-generation Malaysian contemporary artists, selected from the AFK Collection, one of the most extensive archives of Malaysian art from the 1980s to the present. Artists represented include Ahmad Shukri Mohamed, Ahmad Fuad Osman, Ali Nurazmal, Anniketyni Madian, Yusof Ghani, Zulkifli Yusoff and others. The exhibition traces Malaysia's transformation from a newly independent, rural society to a modern nation. While spotlighting individual artistic practices, it also explores how these works engage with the country's evolving social, cultural and political narratives. Blending diverse styles and perspectives, the show offers visitors a rich journey through Malaysia's contemporary art landscape and its deeper reflections on identity, progress and national heritage.


Al Etihad
4 days ago
- Al Etihad
UAE a global leader in preserving historic art of Arabic calligraphy
14 Aug 2025 00:25 AMEINAH ALZEYOUDI (ABU DHABI)Art as beautiful as Arabic calligraphy deserves the global spotlight, and the UAE has been at the forefront of keeping this ancient art form alive amid the rapid developments of the modern world. On World Calligraphy Day, marked every second Wednesday of August, Aletihad highlights the significance of this artistic expression as a cultural treasure for the UAE and the Arab world. Arabic calligraphy was inscribed on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list in December 2021, and the UAE is among the 16 countries that have made it happen. UNESCO described the art form as 'the artistic practice of handwriting Arabic script in a fluid manner to convey harmony, grace and beauty.''The fluidity of Arabic script offers infinite possibilities, even within a single word, as letters can be stretched and transformed in numerous ways to create different motifs,' it said. Arabic calligraphy is more than just a writing technique: its flowing lines, curves, and complex forms represent centuries of artistic tradition, as well as the richness and elegance of the was born out of Arab speakers' need to develop the language and create letters and shapes that capture 'the spirit and culture of Arab and Islamic societies,' Abu Dhabi Culture said in a primer on its website. 'Over time, as the importance of the Arabic language grew, specialised art forms and calligraphy schools were established with innovative curricula,' it added. At a time when most writing needs are met by tapping away on screens and keyboards, the UAE ensures there remains a permanent space for the art of putting ink on paper and turning Arabic script into a masterpiece. The UAE has established itself as a leader in preserving and advancing Arabic calligraphy through numerous initiatives – including exhibitions and festivals – within the country and beyond.'This has encouraged new developments and innovations in calligraphy and other arts,' Abu Dhabi Culture said. The Department of Culture and Tourism in Abu Dhabi has been committed to supporting this art form since its early days. Through the years, it has organised events and activities that encourage development in the field. It has also set up a dedicated department for teaching the art. The Ministry of Culture, through awards like the prestigious Al Burda Award, has played a pivotal role in encouraging global participation and recognition of the organisations regularly hold workshops, competitions, and exhibitions, combining traditional techniques with modern resources. In 2023, more than 200 artists from around the world participated in the inaugural Dubai Calligraphy Biennale, which was organised by Dubai beauty and development of Arabic script in visual art were emphasised by exhibitions such as the 'History of Arabic Calligraphy in the UAE' at Al Shindagha Museum and the 'Light Lines' photography entities in the country also ensure the art form remains relevant through impactful discussions and open dialogues. The 2024 panel discussion 'Arabic Calligraphy: Between Creativity and Renewal' at the Mohammed Bin Rashid Library was one such effort that brought together well-known calligraphers and artists. Arabic calligraphy has evolved through time, from the geometric Kufic script to the elegant, flowing Naskh, and contemporary freestyle typefaces. While maintaining the discipline and internal logic of the art form, artists today experiment with both traditional and digital forms, developing new designs for branding, book design, posters, and commercial use. By actively supporting and celebrating this heritage, the UAE has not only safeguarded Arabic calligraphy but also elevated it on the global stage, establishing itself as a vibrant centre for creatives, artists, and calligraphers from around the world.