The composers behind Symphony of Three: Peace, Love, Tolerance were among the six talents who received the Abu Dhabi Festival Award this year.
The annual award was established by the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation in 2012 and presented in association with the luxury brand Chopard. It is held as part of the Abu Dhabi Festival. Past recipients include record producer Quincy Jones, composer Philip Glass and author Amin Maalouf.
The ceremony for the 2023 award took place on Wednesday at Emirates Palace.
“Each year, the Abu Dhabi Festival Award recognises the outstanding lifetime achievements of those individuals who have made significant contributions to music and the arts,” said Huda Alkhamis-Kanoo, founder of Admaf and artistic director of the Abu Dhabi Festival.
Composers John Debney and David Shire and veteran film music producer Robert Townson were among those who received the award this year. They were honoured for their prolific careers, influence in shaping the music and film industries, as well as their contributions to the Abu Dhabi Festival commission and co-production of Symphony of Three.
Emirati composer Ihab Darwish and inshad singer Sheikh Mahmoud Al Tohamy were also awarded for their work on the Symphony of Three epic.
The symphonic performance brought together vocal ensembles, composers and musicians from Christian, Jewish and Muslim backgrounds to celebrate dialogue among different faiths. The piece was conceived in celebration of the Abrahamic Family House, the interfaith complex on Saadiyat Island. It is available to stream on YouTube.
“Together, Shire, Debney and Townson have brought joy to people around the world with their lasting contributions to the music and film industry," said Alkhamis-Kanoo.
The award was bestowed as well upon Iraqi oud master Naseer Shamma for his lifetime contributions and dedication to preserving Arab heritage.
“This year, we also recognise the remarkable accomplishments of oud master Naseer Shamma for his tireless commitment and dedication to music, to preserving Arab cultural heritage, and to establishing Bait Al Oud Al Arabi centres for music education in Abu Dhabi and beyond, further enhancing the Abu Dhabi Festival award’s status as the benchmark of cultural excellence," Alkhamis-Kanoo said.
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
The biog
Age: 19
Profession: medical student at UAE university
Favourite book: The Ocean at The End of The Lane by Neil Gaiman
Role model: Parents, followed by Fazza (Shiekh Hamdan bin Mohammed)
Favourite poet: Edger Allen Poe
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
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The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre supercharged V8
Power: 712hp at 6,100rpm
Torque: 881Nm at 4,800rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 19.6 l/100km
Price: Dh380,000
On sale: now
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates, Etihad and Swiss fly direct from the UAE to Zurich from Dh2,855 return, including taxes.
The chalet
Chalet N is currently open in winter only, between now and April 21. During the ski season, starting on December 11, a week’s rental costs from €210,000 (Dh898,431) per week for the whole property, which has 22 beds in total, across six suites, three double rooms and a children’s suite. The price includes all scheduled meals, a week’s ski pass, Wi-Fi, parking, transfers between Munich, Innsbruck or Zurich airports and one 50-minute massage per person. Private ski lessons cost from €360 (Dh1,541) per day. Halal food is available on request.
Gulf Under 19s final
Dubai College A 50-12 Dubai College B
BULKWHIZ PROFILE
Date started: February 2017
Founders: Amira Rashad (CEO), Yusuf Saber (CTO), Mahmoud Sayedahmed (adviser), Reda Bouraoui (adviser)
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: E-commerce
Size: 50 employees
Funding: approximately $6m
Investors: Beco Capital, Enabling Future and Wain in the UAE; China's MSA Capital; 500 Startups; Faith Capital and Savour Ventures in Kuwait