- Huda Al-Khamis: Our mission is to nurture and support the talents of the new generation
Faraj Abyad, the Syrian-American composer and singer, released his first album, “A Kiss of Poetry,” produced by the Abu Dhabi Festival. The album includes a collection of poems by the most prominent ancient and contemporary Arab poets, such as Ahmed Shawky, Mahmoud Darwish, and Nizar Qabbani. It celebrates the traditions of Arabic maqam and percussion, but it is keen in its melodies to mix Arabic music with Western and international touches.
The young artist presented a series of international tours, during which he reviewed the songs of his new album, as he opened performances in New York City and Berlin, to conclude the tour at New York University Abu Dhabi on the fifth of next April.
The release of a white album reflects the commitment of the Abu Dhabi Group for Culture and Arts to develop the potential of creative talents in the United Arab Emirates and the world, in its capacity as a global incubator to support cultural exchange and build common understanding between different countries.
Huda Ibrahim Al-Khamis, founder of the Abu Dhabi Group for Culture and Arts, founder and artistic director of the Abu Dhabi Festival, said: “We are pleased to celebrate the launch of “Kiss of Poetry”, the new album by Faraj Abyad, the artist who continues to shine on the international level. Our mission is to nurture and support the talents of the new generation of promising Arab artists, such as Faraj, with the aim of highlighting their creativity globally, and attracting various audiences in the region and the world.”
Faraj Abyad said: “I am very excited to announce the release of my first album, Kiss of Poetry, and I extend my sincere thanks to Huda Al-Khamis and the Abu Dhabi Foundation for Culture and Arts for their support and belief in this project. Where this work is the result of tireless work over a full year, and the fruit of cooperation with more than forty musicians, poets, sound engineers and visual artists, and the songs and poems sung in this album express my personal experiences in life.
Composer Faraj Abyad was born in Baltimore of Syrian descent and resides in New York. He composes pieces inspired by classical Arabic music in a contemporary style.
The artist, who is fluent in playing the oud, violin and percussion instruments, has given concerts in collaboration with musicians and artists from all over the Middle East.
