Among the highlights of this inaugural season is the performance of Jungle, staged by South Korea’s National Contemporary Dance Company, on November 20 at NYU Abu Dhabi’s Red Hall. The production explores complex themes of survival and identity in a modern setting, making it a compelling start to the festival’s diverse program.

Following this, audiences can look forward to the collaboration between South Korea’s Orchestra of Dreams and the Abu Dhabi Youth Orchestra on November 27 at NYU Abu Dhabi’s Blue Hall. This performance marks a significant cultural exchange between the two nations.

The festival will culminate in a jazz performance on December 6 at the Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation, featuring the South Korean jazz ensemble SB Circle alongside Coreyah, offering a blend of traditional and contemporary sounds.

In addition to the performances, Korea Season in the UAE is set to foster further cultural ties, including a special research trip for Emirati artists and curators to South Korea’s leading cultural institutions. This initiative is part of ADMAF’s broader efforts to provide professional training for the next generation of Emirati creatives.

Huda Alkhamis-Kanoo, founder of ADMAF, emphasized the festival’s role in strengthening the UAE-South Korea relationship through cultural diplomacy. “This significant partnership reflects our commitment to strengthening bilateral ties through cultural diplomacy and international co-operation between the UAE and the Republic of Korea,” Alkhamis-Kanoo said. “Through commissioning and co-productions, we aim to explore opportunities for exchanging knowledge and experiences, while developing the skills and capabilities of creatives and artists from both nations.”

The festival is expected to not only entertain but also build a deeper cultural understanding between the two nations, with an upcoming performance by the Korea National University of Arts Symphony Orchestra in April 2025.

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Korea Season 2024, brings Korean culture and vibrancy into the UAE and its capital, Abu Dhabi, expanding cultural exchange with 15 curated programs from November to December

From November to December 2024, the UAE’s capital, Abu Dhabi, will host Korea Season in the UAE, bringing a vibrant selection of Korean contemporary dance, orchestral performances, and visual art exhibitions to audiences. Designed to deepen the cultural appreciation of arts and culture from Korea to an UAE audience that is already captivated by K-pop and K-dramas, the program offers an immersive Korean cultural experience.

Korea Season UAE 2024, is Organised by Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism (Minister Yu In-chon), the Korea Foundation for International Cultural Exchange (President Chang-sik Park, KOFICE), and the Korean Cultural Center UAE (Director Yong-hee Lee), and in collaboration with ‘Abu Dhabi Festival’, founded by ADMAF (Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation).This edition of Korea Season follows last year’s historic state visit to the UAE by Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol and the recent reciprocal visit by UAE President, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The program is part of a broader initiative to foster cultural influence and cross-cultural exchanges between Korea and the UAE.

The Korea Season 2024 will open in November as as part of ‘Abu Dhabi Festival’, named by the BBC in 2024 as the ‘Best Classical Musical Festival in the Middle East’. One of the highlights of the Festival includes a November 16 performance by the National Dance Company of Korea, showcasing Flow While Still, a new production directed by Sung-yong Kim, at the Louvre Abu Dhabi’s outdoor stage. Another highlight will be the November 20 staging of Jungle at New York University Abu Dhabi’s Red Hall, an acclaimed contemporary dance piece that evokes themes of survival and identity through dynamic choreography and a visually compelling set.

November 21 will bring a special talk hosted as part of Abu Dhabi Art, where Nam-hee Park,

Director of the Nam June Paik Art Center, and media artist Ah-young Kim will discuss “Visual Arts, AI, and the Intersection of Art and Technology between Korea and the UAE.” Inspired by Nam June

Paik, Ah-young Kim will discuss her work exploring the convergence of art, technology, and diplomacy, including pieces that reflect her family’s connections to the Middle East. A leading event in the region, Abu Dhabi Art combines exhibitions, talks, and lectures across various venues, showcasing international art and creating spaces for artistic and cultural fusion.

On November 27, Orchestra of Dreams with Abu Dhabi Youth Orchestra will debut at New York University Abu Dhabi’s Blue Hall. This event marks the first collaboration between Korea’s Orchestra of Dreams and the Abu Dhabi Youth Orchestra, celebrating the unity of young musicians from both nations. The performance symbolises a harmonious cultural exchange that brings together the future leaders of both countries through music.

Rounding off the program, the Korean fusion music groups SB Circle and Coreyah will perform at Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation on December 6, in an outdoor concert in its ampitheatre. Led by saxophonist Hyun-pil Shin and gayageum artist Kyung-so Park, SB Circle will deliver a unique blend of jazz and traditional Korean music, while Coreyah will showcase a fusion of Korean and world music styles.

Alongside these events, Abu Dhabi and Dubai will host a variety of other Korean cultural programs. The Korea Festival 2024, one of the largest Hallyu (Korean Wave) events, will take place on November 15-16 at Umm Al Emarat Park. Visitors can look forward to exhibitions on Korean tourism and culture, along with promotions featuring K-content, and an exciting April 2025 performance by the KNUA Symphony Orchestra.

Her Excellency Huda Ibrahim Al Khamis Kanoo, Founder of Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation, commented: “The Korea Season in the UAE 2024 is a pivotal part of our strategic partnership with the Korea Foundation for International Cultural Exchange (KOFICE).
This significant partnership reflects our commitment to strengthening bilateral ties through cultural diplomacy and international cooperation between the United Arab Emirates and the Republic of Korea. Through commissioning and coproductions, we aim to explore opportunities for exchanging knowledge and experiences, while developing the skills and capabilities of creatives and artists from both nations.

PARK Chang-sik, Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange(KOFICE), Last May, President Yoon Suk Yeol and President Muhammad Banjayed Al Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) said Economic, energy, high-tech, etc. at the summit. They discussed strengthening cooperation in various fields and the “special strategic partnership” between the two countries. As such, the UAE is not only economical and industrial Culture and arts are also one of the most important countries for our country. This Korea season will feature various Korean culture and arts programs in cooperation with the Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation. We will continue to support cooperative relationships with both institutions in the future.

For further details on the 2024 Korea Season UAE program, visit the official website www.koreaseason.co.kr

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Titled “The Post-Colonial World Order: Art, Culture, and Politics after 1960,” the four-day event promises to bring together a diverse range of artists, curators, visual arts practitioners, and students from all corners of the globe to engage in pressing discussions on the main theme of “Thinking Historically in the Present.”

This year’s symposium aims to explore the movements and interactions of various individuals and groups in the social sphere, including artists, filmmakers, performers, authors, philosophers, academics, activists, and rebel movements, both within and outside the confines of the “sovereign national state.”

The event will feature a packed program of talks, workshops, and panel discussions that delve into topics ranging from postcolonialism and decolonization to globalization, transnationalism, and cultural hybridity. Attendees can expect to hear from a wide range of speakers, each offering unique perspectives and insights on the issues at hand.

By examining the relationships between art, culture, and politics in the aftermath of decolonization, the symposium aims to stimulate critical thinking and inspire new ways of looking at the world around us. Ultimately, the goal is to foster a deeper understanding of the complex and often interconnected forces that shape our lives and our societies.

The Sharjah Art Foundation is committed to providing a welcoming and inclusive environment for all attendees. Whether you’re an artist, scholar, or simply someone with a passion for exploring new ideas, the March Symposium is sure to offer plenty of food for thought and opportunities for engaging dialogue.

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