ARAB TIMES, THURSDAY, MAY 27, 2021 2

Oud master Naseer Shamma

upported by Lead Partner Mubadala Investment Company (Mubadala) episodes designed to shed light on the works of makers, on innovations in maker Huosain Sabsaby and offers insight from Sami Naseem on how best to Sand in collaboration with oud master Naseer Shamma, the 18th edition the musical instrument industry, on the history and present of the oud in the leverage digital technology in oud music. of the Abu Dhabi Festival, held under the theme ‘The Future Starts Now’, Gulf region and the ways it is becoming recognised globally, and on the mod- Episode 5, streamed on 8 June at 08:00 UAE time, will offer performances announced the launch of the first-of-its-kind Global Oud Forum (GOF) 2021 ern musical instrument industry, in which digital technology has transformed from Driss El Maloumi from Agadir, Morocco, Berlin-based Syrian artist across its digital channels. Consisting of seven TV-format epi- oud music and all the arts. Nabil Hilaneh, Alaa Shaheen from Amman, Jordan, and a duet between So- sodes, the virtual event will feature 27 oud musicians from 14 The History & Present of the Oud mar Al Naser of Syria and Bacem Yousfi of Tunisia, both based in France. countries performing compositions written specifically for the Episode 1 of GOF 2021 will be held 25 May at 08:00 UAE The episode will shed light on the craft of Lebanese oud maker Nazih Ghad- oud. time with performances by Bechir Gharbi of Tunisia, Faisal Al ban, and Dr. Mourad Al Sakli will present the findings of his research on the Held between 25 March and 15 June, GOF 2021 will share Saari of the UAE, Sadiq Jaafar of and a trio performance by oud and its journey in an ever-changing environment of modern music and insights from academics and experts in the fields of music and Islam Taha, Eslam Abdelaziz and Salma Mokhtar from Egypt. technology. the arts into the history and development of the ancient oud and The episode sheds light on the craft of oud maker Amr Fawzi, On 12 June at 08:00 UAE time, episode 6 will present performances by how the instrument is being integrated into today’s digital mu- who heads the Arab Oud House workshop in Abu Dhabi, and Necati Çelik from Istanbul, Hisham Errish from Tripoli, Hashem Qallaf of sic industry. The forum will also show interviews with six well- who has contributed many innovations in the musical instru- Kuwait and Zain Al Marhabi of Saudi Arabia. The episode will shed light known oud makers from across the Arab world, while visiting ments manufacturing industry. Academic writer Dr. Noura Al on the work of Ya’aqoub Jasim, an oud maker from Kuwait, with writer and their workshops for a glimpse of the secrets of their craft. Mazroui will offer excerpts from her research on the past and academic Dr. Fahad Mohsen Al Bathali from Kuwait speaking about the in- H.E. Huda I. Alkhamis-Kanoo, Founder of the Abu Dhabi present of the oud in the Gulf region and the means of its glo- fluence of digital technology on art. Music & Arts Foundation and Artistic Director of Abu Dhabi balisation. The GOF 2021 concludes with an episode featuring three performances Festival, said: “Musicians around the world have been inspired Streaming on 29 May at 08:00 UAE time, episode 2 includes by Naseer Shamma, who will also speak on the challenges presented by by authentic Arabic oud music, a fundamental part of our cul- performances by Yousif Abbas of Iraq, Sherine Tohamy of the global pandemic and on the value of the research presented in the tural heritage that has had significant impact on Western music.” Egypt, Mohammed Al Attar of Iraq and Zulkarnain Yusof of Forum and what brought these particular participants to this edition of the “Our strategic partnership with oud master Naseer Shamma to Malaysia. The episode will feature a report from oud maker Forum. produce the Global Oud Forum reflects ADF’s mission to raise Omar Mohammad Fadhil filmed at his workshop in . Visit AbuDhabiFestival.ae for more information about the Global Oud Fo- awareness about the critical role of music and the arts in build- Researcher and composer Dr. Duraid Fadhil Al Khafaji of Iraq rum and OudForum.com where the full brochure for the forum can be down- ing bridges between cultures and building a civilisation that is Huda I. Alkhamis will provide excerpts from his research on the development of loaded. capable of overcoming challenges. Through the Global Oud Fo- the oud since the beginning of the twentieth century, offering The year-long programme of the 18th edition of Abu Dhabi Festival com- rum, we help preserve the traditional Arabic music that is rooted in our history solutions for protecting the intellectual property of both composers and oud bines a unique hybrid programme of virtual and in-person performances, ex- and is part of our legacy.” musicians in the Arab world. hibitions and events by over 500 artists from more than 50 countries. Naseer Shamma said, “I am proud to be working again with Abu Dhabi Music & Digital Challenges About Abu Dhabi Festival Festival. In this edition, the festival is reinventing itself to communicate its Scheduled for 1 June at 08:00 UAE time, episode 3 brings together per- Founded in 2004, Abu Dhabi Festival was initially a small arts and culture vision in the arts and music industry despite the impact of COVID-19, which formances by Hazem Shaheen and Mohammed Abozekry of Egypt, Ahmad platform that soon graduated to one of the world’s premiere annual events. has affected us all.” Shamma of Iraq and Fateen Kanaan of Syria. It also features a report on Held in the UAE, it celebrates artistic and creative excellence, and promotes “The Global Oud Forum combines a wide array of creative individuals to modern day pioneers in the oud making industry from Fawzi Monshed in his the role of music and the arts in bringing nations closer. It also promotes Abu present their visions, ideas, music and innovations in the world of the Oud, a Basra, Iraq, workshop, as well as an overview of music in the digital world Dhabi as a leading global hub for creativity and as an Emirati beacon for unique attempt to bring together musicians, Oud makers, researchers and crit- presented by academic researcher Dr. Ahmad Al Hinnawi. respect and tolerance. ics, all in one place,” he added. On 5 June at 08:00 UAE time, episode 4 will feature performances by Strengthened by a growing network of 30 international partners, the festival A Unique Series of Episodes Nehad El Sayed of Egypt, Ashraf Awad of Sudan, Naochika Sogabe of Ja- brings audiences together each year to enjoy world premieres and exclusive The virtual edition of GOF consists of a unique series of seven TV-format pan, and Jalal Kassam of Syria. The episode interviews Damascus-based oud commissions in the UAE and around the world.

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