Abu Dhabi Festival Strengthens Global Cultural Ties in Vienna

The Abu Dhabi Festival continued its efforts to promote intercultural dialogue and international cultural exchange by supporting the Vienna Philharmonic’s world-famous Summer Night Concert in Vienna, Austria.

Held under the founding patronage of H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Founding Honorary Patron of Abu Dhabi Festival, the festival participated in the event as an Artistic and Cultural Partner.

This year’s Summer Night Concert was conducted by renowned maestro Lorenzo Viotti and featured celebrated baritone Sir Bryn Terfel. The open-air concert took place in the historic Schönbrunn Palace Gardens and attracted an audience of more than 60,000 people. Millions of viewers around the world also watched the event through international broadcasts.

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The Summer Night Concert is regarded as one of the most-watched classical music events globally, ranking second only to the Vienna Philharmonic’s annual New Year’s Concert.

As part of its cultural diplomacy initiatives, the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF) partnered with the UAE Embassy in Vienna to host an edition of its “Art @ Embassies” programme. The event featured a panel discussion titled “Classical Music as Cultural Diplomacy,” focusing on the role of music and cultural partnerships in strengthening international understanding and cooperation.

The discussion brought together leading figures from the music world, including Michael Bladerer, Managing Director of the Vienna Philharmonic, Yamen Saadi, Concertmaster of the Vienna Philharmonic, and Lebanese conductor and musicologist Toufic Maatouk. The session was moderated by Emirati filmmaker Noor Kanoo.

During the discussion, the speakers shared their experiences of connecting Middle Eastern and European musical traditions. They highlighted the importance of cultural diversity in classical music and discussed how cultural institutions can help build dialogue and mutual understanding in today’s interconnected world.

The panellists also emphasized the role of musicians as cultural ambassadors who use music to bridge cultural and geographical boundaries and support global cultural diplomacy.

Through its Abu Dhabi Festival Abroad programme, ADMAF continues to strengthen the UAE’s presence in international cultural initiatives while showcasing the power of arts and music in bringing people together across different cultures and communities.