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 AssociationJakub 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 Ogiński 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