The internationally-renowned WOMAD Festival came to Abu Dhabi for the first time last year. During this spectacular event, considered a huge success, over 80,000 people gathered on Abu Dhabi Corniche to enjoy the thrilling atmosphere of the festival and diverse musical offerings.
This year, the gathering of international performers on numerous stages in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain will be expanded and enhanced. During the free festival, spread over multiple stages, WOMAD-goers will see performers from countries including the UAE, UK, Cuba, India, Palestine, Tanzania and many more. WOMAD Abu Dhabi’s far-ranging and musically adventurous selection of performers will have something for everyone’s tastes. One particular style – always popular – will be the drum-based groups, igniting the rhythm!
In addition to the imaginative line-up of performers – many of whom are stars in their homelands – WOMAD Abu Dhabi is offering family-orientated workshops featuring music, dance and visual art brought by the programme WOMAD Beyond.
This element of WOMAD Abu Dhabi will be experienced in the Tri-Span Tent on the Corniche, where a variety of schools across the Emirate are taking part. Food is an artistic side dish in the “Taste The World” segment, where artists cook up favourite dishes from their native countries, inviting the audience to sample them.
Also part of WOMAD is the “Desert Cultures” tent, in Al Jahili Fort in Al Ain. This highlights the heritage of the Arabic host emirate, presenting Abu Dhabi’s traditional hospitality and cultural richness to a world audience.
More at www.womadabudhabi.ae.
