A landmark gala concert featuring Emirati and international artists was held at Kensington Palace, marking a significant moment in cultural collaboration between the UAE and the UK.
The event was co-produced by the Abu Dhabi Festival and the Peace and Prosperity Trust as part of the Abu Dhabi Festival’s ‘Abroad’ programme.
The evening featured the world premiere of “Ruins of Time”, a new composition by Emirati composer Ihab Darwish, commissioned by the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF). The performance brought together Emirati mezzo-soprano Fatima Al Hashimi and baritone Ahmed Al Hosani, alongside international musicians under the baton of Toby Purser, Artistic Director of the Peace and Prosperity Trust.
The concert followed a three-week UK Artist Residency Programme, during which Emirati performers participated in intensive training and rehearsals with leading professionals. The initiative, supported by ADMAF and the Peace and Prosperity Trust, sought to blend Emirati musical heritage with global influences and foster long-term artistic exchange.
Held under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Shamsa bint Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Nahyan and in the presence of HRH Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester, the performance underscored the growing role of cultural diplomacy in international relations. Her Excellency Huda Al Khamis-Kanoo, Founder of ADMAF and the Abu Dhabi Festival, highlighted the importance of cultural dialogue and the global presentation of Emirati artistic achievements. She described the collaboration as a continuation of more than two decades of partnership between ADMAF and UK institutions.
The Kensington Palace event followed the ‘Arts @ Embassies’ panel discussion on the 22nd of May at the UAE Embassy in London. Moderated by Emirati filmmaker Noor Kanoo, the discussion featured the three Emirati performers reflecting on identity, heritage and innovation. Sheikh Khalid Al Qasimi, Deputy Head of the UAE Mission to London, praised the artists as cultural ambassadors and emphasised the UAE’s commitment to supporting the arts.
Rajai Khouri, Founder of the Peace and Prosperity Trust, noted that the concert was the Trust’s first collaboration with ADMAF and the first time Emirati artists performed with PPT musicians. He described it as a unique fusion of Arabic and operatic music.The Abu Dhabi Festival’s presence in the UK continues to expand, with recent collaborations including performances, exhibitions and forums that showcase Emirati talent and promote cross-cultural engagement.
