Dubai Culture Supports Marcel Khalife concert in Dubai to raise funds for Palestenian children
Marcel Khalife, the famous UNESCO Artist for Peace, will be performing a concert in Dubai later this month to raise funds for the Palestinian children. The proceedings will go to the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund ( PCRF). (need to mention some background on PCRF)
The concert on 17th April 2009 is being held under the patronage of the "Dubai Culture and Arts Authority" (Dubai Culture), the authority that is tasked with transforming the arts and culture landscape of the Emirate. Dubai Culture is supporting the Marcel Khalife concert not only in keeping with its objective to enhance the cultural offering for residents and visitors alike, but also as part of its corporate social responsibility towards the community.
Saeed Al Nabouda, Chief Projects Officer at The Dubai Culture and Arts Authority , stated: "To say that Palestine has had a tragic history is an understatement. The recent events in the Occupied Territories have caused unimaginable misery for those who have survived " but more so for the innocent children who were caught up in the turmoil. We cannot wipe out the pages from history, but we can help lessen its dreadful impact by helping improve the lives of the children of Palestine by providing much-needed necessities.
"This tragedy has left a lasting imprint on the conscience of the world, and its not only our social responsibility, but our duty to help alleviate the suffering of the children in Palestine and elsewhere. We extend a call to all who can, to attend and to contribute generously," Al Nabouda said.
He pointed out that Dubai Culture was pleased to extend patronage to a concert by Marcel Khalife as he is a cultural icon for the Arab World, as well as a celebrated artist who had been acclaimed by UNESCO as its "Artist for Peace"
"A concert by Marcel Khalife is always a special event. But this one is more so as it is for a noble cause; the children of Palestine. Marcel has always had a special place in his heart for the children of Palestine and had performed a number of concerts for their benefit all were runaway successes. We would like to thank The Dubai Culture & Arts Authority for extending its patronage for the coming performance and we look forward to an evening that will be remembered," said XXXXX from the organizers, XXXX.
Marcel Khalife, UNESCO Artist for Peace, Composer, Oud Master and Performer Par Excellence was born on June 10, 1950 in Amchit, Lebanon. He studied the Oud (the Arabic lute) at the Beirut National Conservatory of Music and graduated in 1971, and, ever since, has been injecting new life into the instrument.
In 1972, Marcel created a musical group in his native village, Amchit, with the goal of reviving its musical heritage and the Arabic chorale. The first performances took place in Lebanon. 1976 saw the birth of Marcel Khalife's Al Mayadine Ensemble. Marcel Khalife began a lifelong far-reaching musical journey, performing in Arab countries, Europe, the United States, Canada, South America, Australia, and Japan.
Marcel Khalife has been invited several times to festivals of international fame such as: Baalbeck, Beit Eddine (Lebanon), Carthage, El Hammamat (Tunisia), Timgad (Algeria), Jarash (Jordan), Arles (France), Krems, Linz (Austria), Bremen (Germany), ReOrient (Sweden), Pavia (Italy), World Music Festival in San Francisco, New York, Cleveland (USA) and Wellington Music Festival (New Zealand).
He has performed in such prestigious halls as the Palace of Arts in Montreal, Symphony Space and Merkin Concert in New York, Berklee Theatre and New England Conservatory in Boston, the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, Royal Festival Hall, and Queen Elizabeth Hall in London, UNESCO Palace of Beirut, Cairo Opera House (Egypt), Reciprocity, House of the Cultures of the World and UNESCO Hall in Paris, Central Dionysia in Rome, Yerba Buena in San Francisco, Sodra Teatern in Stockholm, Bozar in Brussels, Royal Tropical Institute in Amsterdam, Konzerthaus in Berlin, Detroit Symphony Hall in Detroit, Sydney Opera House and The Arts Centre in Melbourne, Australia.
Marcel Khalife's compositions have been performed by several orchestras, notably the Kiev Symphony Orchestra, the Academy of Boulogne Billancourt Orchestra, The San Francisco Chamber Orchestra, the Orchestra of the city of Tunis, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, the Italian Philharmonic Orchestra, the Royal Oman Symphony Orchestra and the "Absolute Ensemble".
Marcel Khalife's works has been critically acclaimed both in the Arab World and worldwide. His creativity, innovations and his educational and humanitarian concerns and contributions to the promotion of arts and Culture in the Arab world has earned him tens of awards in the Arab World and Internationally.