From Abu Dhabi to Vienna, music builds bridges across cultures

From Abu Dhabi to Vienna, music builds bridges across cultures Staged on June 19 in the gardens of Vienna’s Schönbrunn Palace, the open-air event drew an audience of more than 60,000 people and was broadcast to millions of viewers worldwide. Tuesday 23/06/2026 Part of Vienna Philharmonic’s Summer Night Concert. VIENNA Abu Dhabi Festival has strengthened the UAE’s cultural presence on the international stage through a high-profile partnership with the Vienna Philharmonic’s celebrated Summer Night Concert, reinforcing the country’s growing role in fostering dialogue between cultures through the arts. Held under the founding patronage of Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Founding Honorary Patron of Abu Dhabi Festival, the Festival Abroad programme joined this year’s edition of the concert as an Artistic and Cultural Partner. Staged on June 19 in the gardens of Vienna’s Schönbrunn Palace, the open-air event drew an audience of more than 60,000 people and was broadcast to millions of viewers worldwide. Conducted by Lorenzo Viotti and featuring renowned Welsh baritone Sir Bryn Terfel, the annual concert is regarded as one of the largest classical music events in the world and is second only to the Vienna Philharmonic’s New Year’s Concert in global viewership. The collaboration reflects Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation’s (ADMAF) long-term commitment to cultural diplomacy and international artistic exchange, using music as a platform to connect communities and encourage mutual understanding across borders. The partnership comes as Abu Dhabi continues to position itself as a global cultural hub, leveraging major artistic collaborations to project values of dialogue, tolerance and peaceful coexistence. For ADMAF, participation in one of Europe’s most prestigious musical gatherings represents more than sponsorship. It is part of a broader strategy to strengthen cultural engagement between the Arab world and leading international institutions while highlighting the UAE’s growing influence in global arts and culture. Founded in 1996, ADMAF has spent three decades building partnerships with major cultural organisations worldwide, promoting artistic innovation and creating opportunities for cross-cultural collaboration through the Abu Dhabi Festival and year-round educational initiatives. By aligning itself with landmark events such as the Vienna Philharmonic’s Summer Night Concert, the UAE is increasingly using culture as a tool of international engagement, demonstrating how artistic collaboration can transcend geography, language and politics.
2026-06-23 12:05:59