181. Arab Art in Focus: The Future of Cultural Festivals
- Author:
- Huda Kanoo, Ernesto Ottone Ramirez, Raed Asfour, Eckhard Thiemann, and Neda Ulaby
- Publication Date:
- 09-2020
- Content Type:
- Video
- Institution:
- Middle East Institute (MEI)
- Abstract:
- Cultural festivals play an important role in expanding and enriching the communities and cities that host them, providing platforms for artists, and contributing to economies. But given the enduring impact of Covid-19 in the Middle East and globally, festivals are having to rethink their models and innovate to find new ways to reach audiences while remaining engaging and relevant. How might these new challenges impact broader cultural production, audience engagement and more, in a region where platforms and opportunities for the performing arts are already so limited? Join leading festival directors and thought leaders for a discussion about the challenges and opportunities faced by cultural festivals in this new environment. Speakers include H.E. Huda Kanoo, founder of the Abu Dhabi Festival, Ernesto Ottone Ramirez, assistant director-general for culture at UNESCO, Raed Asfour, director of the Al Balad Music Festival, Eckhard Thiemann, CEO and artistic director of the Shubbak festival. Moderated by NPR culture reporter Neda Ulaby.
- Topic:
- Arts, Culture, Economy, and COVID-19
- Political Geography:
- Middle East, Arab Countries, and North Africa