Melody Maker: UNESCO Creative Cities Network Officially Designates Abu Dhabi As A ‘City Of Music’
In celebration of this new music status, cultural experts tell Harper’s Bazaar Arabia that the designation will bring the UAE’s emerging artists international prominence
Abu Dhabi is joining the likes of Liverpool, Auckland and Kingston in Jamaica by being officially designated as a ‘City of Music’ by the UNESCO Creative Cities Network. The UN initiative was launched in 2004, and acts to promote cooperation between cities which acknowledge creativity as a major factor in their ‘sustainable urban development plans’. The award recognises Abu Dhabi’s prestigious musical institutions including Bait Al Oud, a homegrown academy for Arab music heritage and Abu Dhabi Classics, the annual concert series paying tribute to classical music.
Upon the announcement, Her Excellency Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Youth, said: “Music forms an integral part of Emirati heritage. The Emirati musical tradition has flourished in different parts of the UAE, along with lyrical poetry. These musical traditions tell the story of Emirati pride, and the deep appreciation Emiratis have for their cultural identity and their land.”
Besides paving the way to welcome more international musicians and festivals to the UAE, being part of the Cities of Music network will raise the global profile of the UAE as a creative hub. Rita Aoun-Abdo is executive director of the Culture Sector at Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism, she tells Bazaar, “Today, Abu Dhabi is home to an incredibly rich and diverse musical scene that celebrates Emirati performing arts traditions while at the same time nurturing new talent and welcoming diverse musical acts from around the world to the emirate’s stages.” She continued to say: “Crucially, the UNESCO status will serve as catalyst for further development, and bolster the emirate’s standing as a regional centre for culture and arts.”
Providing a platform to collaborate with global partners and venues could be the standout success story for Abu Dhabi-based artists and emerging local talent from the likes of the Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation (ADMAF), New York University Abu Dhabi’s Arts Center and Music Programme, and Berklee Abu Dhabi – the Middle East’s leading institute of contemporary music and performing arts.
Acclaimed Lebanese singer-songwriter and Berklee Abu Dhabi artistic director Mayssa Karaa explained: “The Berklee Abu Dhabi provides a platform to inspire young talented creators from the MENA region to explore their passion for music through entrepreneurship, music technology, music therapy, music business, film scoring and songwriting in local languages, this designation by UNESCO will hopefully help provide opportunities that are very much aligned with our vision.” She went on to add: “I also believe the Emirates are poised for the next big hit to emerge from the region – which will be the development of a stronger musical ecosystem where Arabic music and culture is showcased on a global scale. With Abu Dhabi a City of Music, we feel even more aligned now in transforming arts education and empowering artists to be better.”
The singer, who has lived in Abu Dhabi since March 2020, finishes off by praising the capital on its support for the music community that she’s been a part of for the last few years. “Witnessing the exponential growth of the culture sector has been truly inspiring, as has watching Abu Dhabi become a destination for talented artists to develop, express themselves, network with peers to perform locally, and collaborate with international artists,” she said. Karaa, who has collaborated with award-winning artists herself including Grammy Award-winning composer AR Rahman, sees the local musical landscape as incredibly rich. “The supportive community in Abu Dhabi provides opportunities to create, collaborate and build a safe place where ideas are supported, nurtured and developed. Abu Dhabi is attracting not just artists but their fans and families to engage through concerts and build on the sustainable economic model for the region.”
Photography: Department Of Culture And Tourism – Abu Dhabi
From Harper’s Bazaar Arabia