Panelists:
Zahra Lari
Zahra Lari was born March 3, 1995. She is the UAE and Mena region’s first international competitive figure skater and five time UAE National Champion. As well as being the first to do so while wearing the hijab, Zahra has beaten the odds and has achieved the highest level in spins, technique and triple jumps. She has accomplished this by dedication, passion and intensive training.
Along with her rigorous training, Zahra graduated from Abu Dhabi University majoring in Environmental Health and Safety. She is the Co-Founder and CEO of Emirates Skating Club, which is the first established figure skating club in the Country. She is a dedicated activist for the health and well being of the UAE society and women in general. Zahra is registered and certified in the UAE National Records for her achievements in serving the Society and the State and was the main representative that changed the dress code with the international judging guidelines within the International Skating Union. Through speeches at local schools, media interviews, Women Leaders panelist, UNICEF “Voices of Youth” , various Forums and Conferences as well as activities for the Special Olympics, Zahra continues to raise awareness for the importance of living a healthy and active lifestyle, the importance of continued sports development within the region and the importance of instilling passion, confidence and self belief in todays society.
Beatrice Venezi
Principal Guest Conductor of the Orchestra della Toscana and Principal Conductor of the Orchestra
Milano Classica, Beatrice Venezi is a member of the Consulta Femminile del Pontificio Consiglio per la Cultura for the triennium 2019-2021 and one of the few women in the world to conduct orchestras globally: from Japan to Belarus, from Portugal to Lebanon, from Canada to Argentina, from the United States to Armenia. She has collaborated with internationally renowned performers such as Bruno Canino, Stefan Milenkovich, Valentina Lisitsa, Carla Fracci, Andrea Bocelli and with prestigious orchestras such as the Orchestra del Teatro La Fenice, the Orchestra del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino and the New Japan Philharmonic. In 2021 she made her debut at the Opéra-Théâtre de Metz Métropole and other debuts are planned with the Orquesta Filarmónica del Teatro Colón, the OSESP, the Nagoya
Philharmonic and Opera Holland Park. She has received several awards for her brilliant and meteoric career – particularly for her great artistic skills and commitment to spreading musical culture among the younger generation – including the historic Scala d’Oro Award, received in 2017, and the Leonia Award for Audacity, received in 2019. Corriere della Sera listed her among the 50 Women of the Year 2017 and in 2018 Forbes included her among the 100 young leaders of the future under 30. For the UTET/DeAgostini publishing house she has published “Allegro con fuoco”(April 2019), in which she describes why falling in love with classical music, and “Le sorelle di Mozart” (November 2020), dedicated to brilliant and innovative musicians but forgotten by official music historiography. Since2019 she has been a Warner Music artist. In October 2019 her debut album “My Journey” was released worldwide for Warner Music, devoted to symphonic pieces by Giacomo Puccini recorded at the Teatro del Giglio in Lucca with the Orchestra della Toscana.
Ihab Darwish
Emirati artist, Ihab Darwish has played music since ten. Graduating in Advertising and Art Design, he has pursued a career of image and sound fusion to become a recognized composer.
His first album “Waves of My Life” was launched in 2018, reaching audiences through International distribution by Universal Music MENA. The premiere of his orchestral work: “Waves of My Life: Every Real Story Begins with a Note” was held in 2018 at the Emirates Palace for the Abu Dhabi Festival.
In March 2018 Darwish was bestowed ‘First Guest Composer’ by the Beethoven Academy Orchestra and invited to participate as Ambassador of the Euro Mediterranean Music Academy – EMMA for Peace.
Darwish’s main projects include commissioned compositions for UAE Ministry of Education on the performance ‘Voice of Tolerance’ produced by Dragone at Le Perle in Dubai, UAE 48th National Day show “Legacy of Our Ancestors”, signature music for The Palm Fountain – Guiness World record for the world’s largest fountain “Aim For The Sky” that pays homage to the UAE’s culture as well as capture Dubai’s cosmopolitanism, award-winning documentary “She” (dir. P. Rashid) and signature music for Zahra Lari, the UAE figure skater, to be used in her performances worldwide.
Darwish 2 nd album and virtual concert “Hekayat. Symphonic Tales” will have premiere in March 2021 at Abu Dhabi Festival.
Emanuele Bevilacqua
Born in Salerno in 1953, Emanuele Bevilacqua is the president of Teatro di Roma, a journalist, writer and lecturer in media marketing at the Faculty of Communication Sciences at the University of Lugano. Graduated in Journalism in 1977 at the University of Urbino, he obtained a master’s degree in Business Management at California University in 1986. Founder and director of Pagina99, he has been director of Palaexpo, managing director of Manifesto and Internazionale and has contributed to the design and success of authoritative periodicals such as National Geographic, Darwin, Limes, Il Giudizio Universale, Colors, Micromega. An expert on the beat generation, he is the author of seven books and two docufictions.
Paolo Petrocelli, moderator – Italy-UAE Board Member and Cultural Practice Director.
Now, more than ever, the two countries need to reshape and to rethink a “new normal”. Intercultural dialogue is the opportunity to face together this post-pandemic era. Covid-19 clearly demonstrated the importance of cooperation and dialogue. Italy and United Arab Emirates are ready to friendly reinforce their bridge of mutual trust.
Stay tuned for the following webinars.