Abu Dhabi Festival 2017: Huda Ebrahim Alkhamis on the growth of the Abu Dhabi Festival

The festival also means a lot to young artists here in Abu Dhabi, says Huda Ebrahim Alkhamis

Huda Ebrahim Alkhamis. Courtesy Abu Dhabi Festival

Huda Ebrahim Alkhamis still gets the jitters. The founder and artistic director of Abu Dhabi Festival says the anticipation surrounding the annual event is not just shared by culture lovers in the region.

With the festival concert programme beginning on Tuesday with Mohamed Abdo, she says the festival’s growth meant even higher benchmarks to achieve.

“It’s the 14th edition and it is that same feeling. This time every year, I get butterflies,” she says.

“It is a challenge because you want to maintain the high level that you have built on the international scene and investing in the young talent here.”

The festival began in 2004 on a smaller scale. How has appreciation of the arts in the UAE changed since then?

There is a definite anticipation to the festival. It means something to the city. The festival also means a lot to young artists here in Abu Dhabi. They feel part of the festival.

The festival now includes an education and community programme, in addition to the concerts. Do you ever fear it could become too big?

It has grown organically and it has been pushed by the people. That support from the people has opened other doors for us to do bigger things. I feel the festival is like a falcon that has spread its wings .

This year's concert programme begins with an Arabic show by Mohamed Abdo, rather than an opera or classical concert. What was the idea behind this?

The theme is tolerance and what better to showcase that than with Saudi Arabia as a guest. Through Haj, millions of people from all around the world come to Saudi Arabia in that spirit of tolerance. I also wanted to show that Saudi Arabia has a great history, civilisation and culture .

The festival closes with Chinese-American cellist Yo-Yo who previously performed in Abu Dhabi in 2011. Was it a challenge to secure such a big name?

Yes, it is always difficult to get high artists of such calibre because they have a busy programme. I always found that once they come to Abu Dhabi, they feel a bond to the place. So the Abu Dhabi stage also becomes as much as priority as [New York’s] Carnegie Hall. When I asked him, he said he would be more than happy.