Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi witnesses launch of Furat Qaddouri music center in Al Qasba

The opening was attended by H.E Marwan bin Jassim Al Sarkal, CEO of 'Shurooq' and a large crowd of guests and media.

The opening was initiated by the national anthem on piano followed by the appearance of poet Ali Al Shaali, where he delivered a poem that was admired by the audience.

Furat Qaddouri, the founder of the Center then confirmed in his inaugural speech the role of H.E Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi in encouragement and the establishment of the Center and to achieve his dream, which to him is about to see the light.

"I come with the legacy of my late father, who was one of the early Arab composers who focused on educating a generation of children through music and composition of music. I saw a serious interest in music education in Europe while it started to lose its brightness in the Arab world," said Furat Qaddouri who continued: "The focus must be regained on the importance of musical culture in the upbringing of young generation and the criticality of the sustainability of our musical heritage."

Young children dancers performed three ballet dance scenes, one of the fine arts that shapes the inter-cultural stream and makes lore knowledge embodied in the performance of scenes the dancer expressionism. The ceremony then continued with multiple skills children developed during their training in the center, various musical instruments such as violin, guitar, oud and drums among other instruments.

The ceremony then showcased the high skill-set the team of teachers possesses, who are committed to training students to the best standards and according to best international practices.

In recognition of Her Excellency Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi's support and encouragement, Furat Qaddouri presented a souvenir in honor with the logo of the Center on a crystal violin. Qaddouri also presented a souvenir to HE Marwan Al Sarkal in recognition of his relentless efforts to set up this institution in Al Qasba.

HE Marwan Al Sarkal, Commented on the opening: "Aligned to Sharjah's confident steps toward promoting itself as a capital of literature, culture and arts and to achieve the holistic vision of his highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Al Qasimi, this will add to the right positioning as capital of culture adopted in the elements of culture and heritage it endorses. Then added: "I saw a clear message in line with our objectives in the development of generations and serving the purpose of the country in reflecting a civilized image when participating in international festivals."

It is worth mentioning that Furat Qaddouri is a privileged artist who enjoys international recognition as he worked in Belgium and Germany, teaching Arabic music and heritage and was able to relive cultures in contemporary style on one of purely eastern musical instruments that attract the attention of international musicians toward him.

That openness marked the music of Furat Qaddouri in communicating to the World music for more than a decade, reflected in his contact with Latin jazz music and music that attended in his composition not as an experiment only, but to the same purposes of Expressionism enabled his music to reformulate the Iraqi traditional heritage and to composing a new start to the 'Qanoon' to accommodate other instruments of new music.

Qaddouri added, "He chose to start from UAE because it enjoys international prestige as a hub for culture, arts and intellect and serve the objectives of the center of focusing on educating future generations and promote the role of music in the exchange of cultures."

It must be noted that there is clear shortage in the number of music teachers in the Arab world, which inevitably affected the spread of music education curriculum and resulted in the direction of the talents toward singing, which has a material impact.

It is noteworthy too that there are many Arab musical bands that tend to work with non-Arab musicians given the shortage in the number of Arab music players. According to Qaddouri, his future plans for the Center include a tendency to hold musical festivals in qanat Al Qasba on cultural exchange basis between Arab and western music aiming to build on this type of arts and to help our children to play an active role in the continuation of Arab music and its sustainability for generations to come.