Government

The Ministry of Culture, under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, is set to host the 19th edition of the Al Burda Award Ceremony on 18 November at Louvre Abu Dhabi. This year’s event will feature a special artistic performance titled “Beauty in Unity”, celebrating the harmony, inclusivity, and human beauty that emerge from cultural diversity.

The performance will bring together artists from the UAE, Uzbekistan, Kuwait, Japan, Egypt, Guinea, Turkey, Iran, and France, highlighting Al Burda Award’s longstanding role as a global platform for Islamic artistic excellence. The production emphasizes the values of openness and cultural exchange, which lie at the heart of the award’s mission.

Structured around five musical chapters—“Beauty of Tradition,” “Beauty of Communion,” “Beauty of Diversity,” “Beauty of Collaboration,” and “Beauty of Harmony”—the show narrates an artistic journey symbolizing the evolution of human community through shared voices and cultural interplay.

The opening segment will feature a powerful performance by the Emirati Malid Group, reviving the spiritual and rhythmic traditions of the Malid art form. This ceremonial introduction connects audiences to the UAE’s cultural and social heritage.

The second act, “Beauty of Communion,” will spotlight this year’s Guest of Honor, the Republic of Uzbekistan, through a musical presentation by the “Manzur Ensemble.” Their blend of Uzbek and Tajik maqam traditions symbolizes unity and the bridging of cultural boundaries.

In the third segment, “Beauty of Diversity,” the Abu Dhabi Youth Choir will join Kuwaiti–Japanese artist Maryam Shehab. Together, they will perform “Walaw A’limta,” merging classical Arabic poetry with contemporary musical elements to reflect intergenerational and intercultural harmony.

The fourth act, “Beauty of Collaboration,” will feature a vibrant duet by Egyptian artist Hind El Rawy and Guinean artist Djeli Moussa Condé, combining African rhythms with an Eastern musical aesthetic. Their fusion performance represents the creative power that emerges when different cultures intersect.

The finale, “Beauty of Harmony,” will be led by acclaimed vocal artist Alaa Wardi, who will construct live soundscapes using layered voices and acoustic elements. The closing scene will unite all participating artists on stage, symbolizing the overarching theme of unity through diversity.

Through this multidimensional artistic experience, the Al Burda Award reinforces the message that diversity enriches beauty, and that unity is achieved not by erasing differences but by embracing them. The ceremony aims to reflect the core values of Islamic civilization—peace, harmony, and compassion—through a contemporary artistic lens.

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