Abu Dhabi Festival Honours the Centennial Legacy of Mansour Rahbani with Landmark Co-Produced Concert in Beirut

Under the patronage of the President of the Lebanese Republic, General Joseph Aoun, the Abu Dhabi Festival 2026 presented the world premiere of the co-produced work “Ousafirou Wahdi Malikan” (I Travel Alone, as a King) as part of its Abroad Programme, held under the honorary founding patronage of His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Founding Honorary Patron of Abu Dhabi Festival. The landmark centennial concert honoured the legacy of the legendary Lebanese composer Mansour Rahbani and took place in Beirut, Lebanon, on 13 January, attended by Dr. Ghassan Salamé, Minister of Culture of Lebanon, representing the President of the Lebanese Republic.

Co-produced in partnership with composer Oussama Rahbani, the iconic performance was staged at the historic Church of Sacré-Cœur in Gemmayze. The concert was delivered in a masterful performance by Hiba Tawaji, alongside the National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine and the Notre Dame University choir-Louaize, marking a defining cultural moment, commemorating the centennial of Mansour Rahbani — the celebrated Lebanese composer, playwright, and poet whose visionary works reshaped modern Arab musical theatre and continue to resonate across generations.

Her Excellency Huda Alkhamis-Kanoo, Founder of the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF), and Founder and Artistic Director of Abu Dhabi Festival, said: “We honour Mansour Rahbani, an eminent figure and great creative force — the conscience of our Arab world and our shared humanity. He narrated our creative story with noble humility, authentic poetic expression, artistic leadership and a distinctive musical voice.”

H.E. added: “Mansour left a profound legacy that enriched our lives, our spirits, our dreams and our collective memory, giving voice to our joys and our concerns alike. He opened before us gardens of beauty and realms of imagination, where poetry and song meet truth and belonging. His creative journey was always guided by deeply held values, dignity and a strong sense of belonging. At Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation and Abu Dhabi Festival, we proudly celebrate Arab culture and honour the legacy of pioneers who paved the way for generations of today and tomorrow. In embodiment of this mission comes the work Ousafirou Wahdi Malikan (I Travel Alone as a King).”

“Ousafirou Wahdi Malikan” unfolded as a monumental oratorio built on 34 poems by Mansour Rahbani, brought to life through an original score composed and conducted by Oussama Rahbani. The work created a powerful synthesis of Western classical orchestration and Oriental musical expression within a setting of profound spiritual and cultural significance. A testament to Rahbani’s far-reaching influence on the cultural and artistic identity of the Arab world, the performance reflected the deeply rooted themes of sovereignty, resilience, emotional expression and national pride that define his work. Blending Western symphonic traditions with Eastern melodic sensibilities, the oratorio illuminated Mansour Rahbani’s poetry through a rich and evocative musical language, affirming its relevance across generations and geographies.

Oussama Rahbani highlighted his long-standing collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation, which began with Hiba Tawaji’s first performance at Abu Dhabi Festival in 2011. He noted the Foundation’s sustained commitment to supporting the cultural and creative sectors, as well as its influential role in leading major cultural initiatives regionally and internationally, makes this a fitting partnership for the co-production of Mansour Rahbani’s centennial concert.

Rahbani said: “The oratorio “Ousafirou Wahdi Malikan” represents the culmination of the centennial celebrations of Mansour Rahbani who, together with Assi Rahbani shaped our dreams and ideas and set out from Lebanon to the wider Arab world and beyond. Drawing from humanity, land, faith and existence as well as from people’s realities and concerns, their work became deeply rooted in the hearts of audiences around the world alongside our great Fairuz.”

He explained: “The oratorio is based on the complete texts of Mansour Rahbani’s book “Ousafirou Wahdi Malikan” which was published in 2007 under Mansour’s direct supervision and marked the last major work released during his lifetime. The book comprises 34 poetic pieces characterised by a dramatic intensity and a universal vision that defines Mansour Rahbani’s writing. It encapsulates his existential journey and his steadfast confrontation with destiny exploring themes of departure, absence, existence and estrangement. The text carries a broad philosophical and contemplative depth with symbolism that is sometimes explicit and at other times subtle reflecting the poetic mastery that positioned Mansour Rahbani as one of the most influential figures in modern Arabic poetry.”

He concluded: “In essence “Ousafirou Wahdi Malikan” is a book that belongs to each of us in our most personal moments of reflection. Its poetry travelled among people as verses drawn from a heart rich with lived experience and today the oratorio carries it further through voice and melody to audiences across the world. This is especially evident through the voice of Hiba Tawaji who has represented Lebanese art at the highest level and embodies the Arab woman with elegance, culture, a remarkable voice, integrity and the continued successes she achieves in Lebanon and internationally.”

Following the concert, acclaimed soprano Hiba Tawaji was awarded by His Excellency President General Joseph Aoun, the National Order of the Cedar, Knight Rank, which was bestowed upon her by Dr. Ghassan Salamé, Minister of Culture of Lebanon.

The evening continued with the presentation of the prestigious Abu Dhabi Festival Award — presented in collaboration with Chopard — which was conferred posthumously upon Mansour Rahbani. The award was presented by Dr. Ghassan Salamé, Minister of Culture of Lebanon and Her Excellency Huda Alkhamis-Kanoo and received on his behalf by his sons, Oussama, Marwan and Ghadi Rahbani. Awarded annually, the Abu Dhabi Festival Award honours individuals whose exceptional contributions have shaped and advanced the cultural and artistic landscape. In recognising the Rahbani brothers, the award acknowledges their lasting influence and vital role in preserving, reinterpreting and advancing one of the Arab world’s most influential musical and theatrical traditions.

Art @ Embassies in Beirut 

As part of its long-standing commitment to advancing international artistic collaboration and promoting Arab culture globally, the Abu Dhabi Festival also convened a special Art @ Embassies discussion titled “The Legacy of Mansour Rahbani” on 15 January in Lebanon, presented in partnership with the UAE Embassy in Lebanon and the Sheikh Zayed Chair for Arabic and Islamic Studies at the American University of Beirut.

Hosted at the University’s Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs (IFI), designed by the internationally acclaimed Zaha Hadid Architects, the venue provided a distinguished architectural and intellectual setting for the dialogue in alignment with Abu Dhabi Festival’s goals and global vision.

H.E. Fahad Salem Saeed AlKaabi, UAE Ambassador to Lebanon, said: “Art @ Embassies reflects the UAE’s commitment to supporting culture as a bridge for dialogue and mutual understanding among communities and celebrates a deeply rooted Arab creative legacy left by the great artist Mansour Rahbani in the collective Arab consciousness.”

The gathering brought together His Excellency Ali bin Tamim, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre, composer Oussama Rahbani and acclaimed vocalist Hiba Tawaji for an in-depth conversation on how Mansour Rahbani’s body of work continues to enrich cultural understanding and affirm the shared heritage that connects communities across the region.

The discussion underscored the continued relevance of Rahbani’s music and theatre in shaping artistic thought, inspiring new generations and creating meaningful intercultural dialogue. Through its Abroad Programme, Abu Dhabi Festival continues to champion cross-cultural partnerships, encourages artistic innovation and reinforces Abu Dhabi’s role as a global hub for cultural diplomacy and creative exchange.

For more information, please visit https://www.abudhabifestival.ae/