On 14th November 2016, interns at the Polish Business Group in the UAE studying at New York University Abu Dhabi organized a piano recital by Mr Artur Sychowski to celebrate the Polish Independence Day. Their students’ organization Polish Cultural Association received the support of the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in the UAE, the Polish Business Group, the Office of Vice-Chancellor of NYUAD and NYUAD Music Program. The event took place at the Institute building of NYUAD.
The recital was attended by the Chairman of the Polish Business Group Dr Wael Suleiman and the Vice-President Dr Ahmed Amer. Chairman Dr Suleiman delivered a speech during the inauguration ceremony, which was accompanied by the speeches of the Polish Ambassador H.E. Robert Rostek, Vice-Chancellor of NYUAD Dr Alfred Bloom and the Head of Polish Cultural Association Jakub Bartoszewski.
Artur Sychowski, a talented pianist of the young generation, presented a repertoire that reflected the Polish history. Through the works of Chopin, Kilar and Ogi?ski the audience could travel in a musical journey from the times of the First Republic, through the period of partitions, to the Regaining of Independence. However, the pianist not only recreated the music of the great composers, but also added to them his own innovative interpretations.
After the concert, reception awaited the guests. In addition to this, an artistic exposition was prepared by the students in order to explain the historical context of the event. Moreover, throughout the duration of the ceremony the main building of the University – Campus Center – was illuminated in the colors of the Polish flag. The concert was the culmination of the efforts of the Polish Cultural Association at NYUAD – the members of its board involved more than twenty students of other nationalities to assist in the event.
The recital proved to be a great cultural event attended by a large number of diplomatic corps including the Ambassadors of Qatar, Philippines, Mexico, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Thailand, South Korea, Latvia, Pakistan. Furthermore, the concert was attended by representatives of various institutions present in the UAE such Abu Dhabi Investment Fund and FAO as well as the members of other business groups present in Abu Dhabi. The diverse array of guests was supplemented by both Polish and international community of Abu Dhabi as well as faculty and students of NYUAD.
Author: Stanislaw H. Wilemborek
Edition: Jakub A. Bartoszewski
