The ADMAF Pavilion at Abu Dhabi Art exhibits artworks that highlight the Founding Father’s core values (Wisdom and Peace, Tolerance and Respect, Sustainability and Environment, Human Development and Knowledge, and Unity) in line with the ‘Year of Zayed’ under the theme ‘Zayed: The Soft’ showcasing a selection of artworks by Emirati and UAE-based artists.

Naseer Shamma and the Beit Al Oud orchestra explored historic cultural links between ancient Arabia and Europe with a new work co-commissioned by Abu Dhabi Festival and its partner, Barcelona’s Gran Teatre del Liceu. ‘From Ashur to Seville’ featured 20 Beit al Oud musicians in a unique musical dialogue with vibrant Spanish flamenco guitar and Greek bouzouki.

The team have been on the road, visiting universities across the seven Emirates. Introducing students to ADMAF’s awards, grants and professional opportunities, the roadshow informed and inspired the next generation of creative voices.

Nationals’ Gallery member Eman Al Hashemi artwork displayed at Warehouse421 as part of the Community and Critique: Salama bint Hamdan Emerging Artists Fellowship 2017/2018 Cohort 5 show. 

-Image courtesy of Warehouse421

The public joined members of the Young Filmmakers Circle for an evening of short films from the Arab world, with a panel discussion on the art form, moderated by artist and writer Hind Mezaina, with filmmaker Amena Al Nowais, educator Greg Unaru, and partner of MAD Solutions Abdallah Al Shami. Screeners included: ‘Omnia’, Amna Al Nowais’ powerful short film that explores the psychological and physical effects of female circumcision; ‘Ave Maria’, a comedy that tells the story of the Nuns of the Sisters of Mercy – located in the in the West Bank wilderness, their daily routine of silence and prayer is disrupted when a family of religious settlers crash their car into the convent’s wall; and concluded with ‘Ayny’, an animated short film about two young boys who have run away from their mother’s protection into war, following their dream of playing an Oud.

In partnership with the Film and New Media NYU Abu Dhabi

Marking a decade of the pioneering Young Media Leaders’ programme, ADMAF hosted the YML10 Forum, staging panels and discussions that brought together media leaders of today and tomorrow in a major cross-generational conversation. In association with TOTAL

Marking International Women’s Day, Celeste Schenck – President of the American University of Paris (AUP) – discussed ‘Women’s Leadership in the 21st Century’ with students of Zayed University, providing insight from her wealth of experience, accumulated over 25 years as a leader in the European education industry. The event also encouraged discussion and input from students, in a debate highlighting the importance of women’s participation and leadership across various sectors.

Celebrating Arabic literature, the annual programme culminated this year with the launch of 16 new works by Emirati authors, including works for children and fiction for adults. During the signing event, fans met the authors, discussed their works and received copies of the new works.