Vienna: The Abu Dhabi Festival, under the founding patronage of H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, reaffirmed its commitment to promoting intercultural dialogue by supporting the Vienna Philharmonic's esteemed Summer Night Concert.
According to Emirates News Agency, the Abu Dhabi Festival served as an Artistic and Cultural Partner for the annual open-air concert held at the Sch¶nbrunn Palace Gardens in Vienna. This year's concert, conducted by Lorenzo Viotti and featuring baritone Sir Bryn Terfel, drew an audience of 60,000 and was broadcast to millions worldwide. The Summer Night Concert is renowned as the second most-watched annual classical music event, following the Vienna Philharmonic's New Year's Concert.
In collaboration with the UAE Embassy in Vienna, the Abu Dhabi Festival hosted the "Art @ Embassies" initiative. The panel discussion titled "Classical Music as Cultural Diplomacy" gathered prominent musicians to discuss how artistic collaboration and international cultural partnerships act as catalysts for cross-cultural connection and international exchange.
The session featured Michael Bladerer, Managing Director of the Vienna Philharmonic; Yamen Saadi, Concertmaster for the Vienna Philharmonic; and Lebanese conductor and musicologist Toufic Maatouk. The discussion was moderated by Emirati filmmaker Noor Kanoo. The panellists shared their journeys connecting Middle Eastern and European musical traditions and explored themes such as cross-cultural exchange and the role of cultural institutions in today's global landscape.
The speakers emphasized the role of musicians as cultural ambassadors, highlighting how music can transcend cultural and geographical divides. Through its Abu Dhabi Festival Abroad programme, ADMAF strengthens the UAE's position in global cultural dialogue, showcasing the arts' transformative power in uniting people worldwide.