The Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation (ADMAF) has recently signed a Letter of Corporation with Barcelona’s prestigious opera house, the Gran Teatre del Liceu. The latter’s artistic & production director general, Christina Scheppelmann, was in Emirates Palace on Monday for the ceremony. She tells us why the new collaboration is a great achievement for both organisations.
So how much of a big deal is this partnership with ADMAF?
It is a big deal for us. It is an intercultural artistic collaboration that is rare. If you look at arts festivals and foundations you rarely see these kinds of agreements and long term thinking as far a collaboration and development. I think it is special and frankly, in these days, dialogues between different countries and cultures are crucial. Art is very important and music is the most universal language. If you want to create a dialogue that crosses cultures than music is it.
What was it about ADMAF and the Gran Teatre del Liceu that make it great fit for a partnership?
First of all, ADMAF has such a fascinating trajectory and a high level programme. At the same time, the Lieceu, which opened in 1847, has maintained a high level of standards in the operatic world with concerts and ballets. The goal of presenting high quality work is a value we both share in our respective part of the worlds.
With ADMAF being very young in comparison to the Gran Teatre del Liceu, do you envisage the partnership taking a mentoring role?
I would hate to see it that way, because I think the Liceu and its audience have a lot to learn about the musical culture in the Abu Dhabi and the Gulf. We can choose to show our classical music and ballet repertoire and in turn Abu Dhabi can show our audience, who don’t know anything, about your culture and musical background.
What kind of initiatives will we see as a result of the partnership?
We talked about doing an exhibit here in Barcelona in our foyer space about Abu Dhabi and ADMAF and bringing some musicians from there to perform. We also could do some lectures and joint concerts and through that inform our audience.
Is there a chance that Gran Teatre del Liceu will take part in future editions of the Abu Dhabi Festival?
Absolutely, but it wont be next year. If you look at the general planning of opera companies in Europe and everywhere else, we plan up to two or three year ahead. So I can’t take an orchestra now and send them to the Abu Dhabi Festival, but the intention is definitely there. We are starting with small steps; perhaps some singers coming to Abu Dhabi for some recitals as it fits into ADMAF’s and ours schedule, then we can then expand into bringing a production at some point.
For more information visit www.admaf.org
sasaeed@thenational.ae
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Uefa Champions League semi-finals, first leg
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Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
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