15 Years of organized cultural life in Abu Dhabi

 

Posted 10 September 2004

 

AZAD-HYE (10 September 2004): The Armenian Cultural Association (ACA) is the major body that deals with cultural affairs in the Armenian Community in Abu Dhabi. It has been formed in 1989, by some prominent members of our Community, who felt the need for organized cultural life.

 

The Association proved to be successful in inviting many Armenian performers (individuals and groups) from Armenia. Some of these groups consisted of more than 40 participants.

 

By forging a fruitful cooperation with the cultural authorities in the Capital Abu Dhabi (represented by the ?Cultural Foundation?), ACA managed to include Armenian performances in the agenda of almost every cultural season. The latest inclusion was the performance of the State Chamber Orchestra of Yerevan (comprising of 33 musicians and three young tenors), under the baton of Maestro Vardan Hakopyan, on 16th February 2004 in cooperation with the Abu Dhabi Concert Committee.

 

The main objective of the Association has been to attract the local and expatriate population of the United Arab Emirates to the Armenian art and culture. The ?Cultural Foundation? was hesitant in the beginning to deal with the Association, but seeing the professional level of the invited groups from Armenia, the doubt turned to full-fledged approval and appreciation. Now the management of the ?Cultural Foundation? itself asks the Association to invite Armenian individuals or groups before publishing the agenda of its new season.