Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), through the Dubai Cultural Grant, supports the participation of the National Youth Orchestra – Dubai and its affiliated String Orchestra in the 18th session of the Somma Comme Laude International Youth Music Festival, which is hosted by the Austrian capital, Vienna, during the period from the third to the seventh of July 2026, under the patronage of the President of the Republic of Austria, Dr. Alexander van der Bellen, and under the supervision of the Austrian Committee of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. (UNESCO).
This participation embodies the success of the “Musical Education for Emiratis” program, which is implemented by Dubai Culture in partnership with the National Youth Orchestra – Dubai, which aims to discover Emirati musical talents, nurture them, and enable them to develop their abilities and reach prestigious international platforms. The program is also part of the Authority’s efforts to enhance the role of music and the arts as a bridge for cultural dialogue, and to consolidate Dubai’s position as a global center for culture, an incubator for creativity, and a forum for talents.
The artistic tour includes presenting a series of musical performances in a number of the most prominent music halls in the Austrian capital, including the Musikverein Hall (Golden Hall) and the Radio Kulturhaus of the Austrian Broadcasting Corporation, in an achievement that makes the “National Youth Orchestra – Dubai” the first orchestra in the Emirates to perform in these ancient halls. This achievement is the result of the “Musical Education for Emiratis” program organized by “Dubai Culture” in partnership with the “National Youth Orchestra – Dubai” under the framework of the “Dubai Grant”. Cultural”, with the aim of discovering local musical talents, developing their skills, and enabling them to develop their artistic careers and achieve their ambitions, which is in line with the Authority’s commitments aimed at activating the role of the arts as a platform for promoting international cultural exchange and dialogue, and consolidating Dubai’s position as a global center for the creative economy.
Executive Director of the Arts, Design and Literature Sector at Dubai Culture, Shaima Rashid Al Suwaidi, pointed out that the participation of the National Youth Orchestra – Dubai and the String Orchestra in the Somma Comme Laudet International Youth Music Festival, and the presentation of their performances on a number of the most prominent theaters in the Austrian capital, Vienna, constitute a qualitative achievement that reflects the maturity of young talents and their ability to attend and compete internationally, and confirms the success of the Authority’s efforts in building a sustainable musical system capable of discovering and nurturing those with talent. And enabling them to access global platforms, pointing out that investing in young energies represents a fundamental pillar in developing the music sector and enhancing its contribution to the cultural and creative industries. She said: “Dubai Culture, through its partnerships and qualitative initiatives, continues to provide a supportive environment that provides young musicians with real opportunities to learn, develop, and interact with global experiences and expertise. This international participation represents the result of an integrated path that aims to empower Emirati talents and open new horizons for them for expression, creativity, and excellence. It also reflects the positive impact it has achieved.” The “Musical Education for Emiratis” program aims to prepare a new generation of musicians who are able to represent the UAE in the most prominent international artistic forums, contribute to enriching the cultural scene, and consolidate Dubai’s position as a global center for culture, an incubator for creativity, and a forum for talents.
As part of the orchestra’s artistic tour in Vienna, with the support of Dubai Culture, the National Youth Orchestra – Dubai will open the official program of the festival’s performances through a concert held at the Grand Konzerthaus, in the presence of an elite group of senior officials, diplomats, artists and musicians from around the world. The orchestra will also present other performances at the Musikfrein Theater (Golden Hall) and the Austrian Broadcasting Corporation’s Radio Kulturhaus, thus becoming the first orchestra in The UAE performs in these international music halls. The “Radio Culturehouse” concert on July 6 will be broadcast live on a global level, allowing the public in the UAE and abroad to follow this artistic achievement. The tour also includes a number of concerts and specialized training sessions (master classes), under the supervision of an elite group of orchestra leaders and international musicians.
The piece “Threads of Light” celebrates the values of unity, hope, and the collective voice of youth, as it is based on a group of interconnected musical themes that harmonize to form a warm melody full of feelings, leading to a conclusion that oozes optimism. This work highlights the ability of Emirati talent to reach international music platforms, and their contribution to enriching the global cultural movement. In the same context, musician Ihab Darwish said: “The composition of (Threads of Light) represents these young musicians, and presenting it for the first time. “Globally on the stages of Vienna, it is an important stop in my career as a composer, as the work explores what individual voices can create when they harmonize and listen to each other.”
On the other hand, the “String Orchestra” affiliated with the “National Youth Orchestra – Dubai” has qualified to participate in the main international competition within the “Soma com Laude” festival, where it will compete on the fourth of July next with youth orchestras from around the world, in front of an international jury that includes an elite group of musicians and specialists, on the stage of the Musikverein Hall (Golden Hall), one of the most famous music halls in the world, which hosts the famous annual concert of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra on the occasion of New Year’s, It is watched by more than 50 million viewers around the world annually, and the standing of young musicians from Dubai on this ancient stage, whether to compete or to present their artistic performances, represents an exceptional moment in the career of the “National Youth Orchestra – Dubai”, and an achievement that reflects Dubai’s position and leadership on the global cultural and artistic scene.
For her part, the Executive Director and Artistic Director of the National Youth Orchestra – Dubai, Amira Fouad, said: “Vienna is associated with special memories in my artistic career, as I previously performed there as a pianist, and returning to it today in my capacity as Artistic Director of the National Youth Orchestra – Dubai, as it prepares to give a world premiere at the Grand Konzerthaus Theater and compete in the Musikverein Hall (Golden Hall), represents an exceptional moment that goes beyond everything I imagined when we began the journey of founding the orchestra in the year 2018. This achievement embodies our belief that Dubai is capable of embracing young talents, enabling them to grow, shine, and reach the most important musical stages in the world.”
Shaima Rashid Al Suwaidi:
A qualitative achievement that reflects the maturity of young talents and their ability to attend and compete internationally.
Amira Fouad:
An extraordinary moment beyond anything I imagined when we began the journey of establishing the orchestra in 2018.
Ihab Darwish:
Writing “Threads of Light” and presenting it for the first time in the world on Vienna stages is an important milestone in my professional career.
