Abu Dhabi fest to highlight 50 years of UAE-Japan ties

In a remarkable celebration of art and culture, and in alignment with the UAE’s “Year of Community,” Abu Dhabi Festival’s 22nd edition highlights over 50 years of diplomatic ties between the UAE and its country of honour, Japan.

Running from April 9-29, the festival resumes its headline programmes with an exceptional lineup of global musical talent, featuring legendary percussionists, award-winning pianists, world-renowned orchestras and a spectacular all-star ballet gala, with performances taking place throughout April at New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD).

This year’s Festival features several Arab World premieres, presenting a celebration of artistry and cultural exchange with a diverse programme for everyone.

Kodō, a renowned Japanese taiko drumming ensemble with over 7,000 performances in more than 50 countries, will bring their powerful and dynamic performance to this year’s festival stage in an exclusive Arab World Premiere on April 8-9, 2025, at 7:30pm at The Red Theater, The Arts Center at NYU Abu Dhabi.

The ensemble’s mastery of the taiko — a traditional Japanese drum — allows them to explore limitless rhythmic possibilities, continuously pushing the boundaries of this vibrant, living art.

Virtuoso pianist Yunchan Lim – a bright star in the world of classical music – is set to take to the Festival stage at NYUAD’s Red Theater, playing the gold standard of works, Bach’s Goldberg Variations in an Arab World Premiere on April 11, 2025, at 7:30pm.

Kuniko Kato, recognised as one of the world’s foremost percussion virtuosos, will bring her masterful artistry to Abu Dhabi at The Blue Hall, New York University Abu Dhabi on April 14, 2025, at 7:30pm .

The exquisite sibling piano duo Katia and Marielle Labèque will perform an original and innovative musical programme at NYUAD’s Red Theater on April 16 at 7:30pm.

The Korean National University of Arts Symphony Orchestra (KNUA) are set to make their Arab World Premiere at Abu Dhabi Festival, under the baton of Professor Chung Chi-Yong, one of Korea’s most celebrated conductors.

KNUA Symphony Orchestra will then return for a second show on April 20, but this time will be joined by star soprano and tenor Jessica Pratt and Javier Camarena, led by the masterful Italian Lebanese conductor Toufic Maatouk.

For this unforgettable evening, KNUA Symphony Orchestra will be joined by award-winning violinist Jaewon Wee and the outstanding cellist Sang Hyeok Park, promising a performance of remarkable artistry and virtuosity.

The performances will be at the Red Theater at 7:30pm.

On April 21, and for the first time in the Arab World, Grammy Award winning violinist Augustin Hadelich will be gracing the Blue Hall at NYUAD at 7:30pm for a masterful performance with works by Bach, Coleridge-Taylor, Ysaÿe and David Lang.

Abu Dhabi Festival will present the All-Star Ballet Gala, a spectacular performance at NYUAD’s Red Theater at 7:30pm, featuring world-class dancers from the Royal Ballet, Bayerisches Staatsballett, Paris Opera Ballet, and Stuttgart Ballet.

In a special performance titled, “Unique Encounters with Rising Stars,” Vienna Philharmonic concertmaster Yamen Saadi returns to the Festival stage alongside violist Sara Ferrández and cellists Kian Soltani and Pablo Ferrández. They will perform at the Red Theater on April 26, 2025 at 7:30pm.

The 22nd edition of Abu Dhabi Festival closes with a special tribute to the late musical legend, Quincy Jones, performed by talented trumpeter, Riley Mulherkar, alongside his band, brass quartet The Westerlies. They will perform at The Black Box, The Arts Center at NYU Abu Dhabi at 7:30pm.

Described as “über hip, modern yet timeless,” Mulherkar’s performance will honour the legacy of Quincy Jones, a close friend of the Festival and recipient of the prestigious ADF Award in 2014.

As a record producer and composer, Quincy Jones shaped the sound of popular music across multiple genres for more than seven decades.