Edinburgh International Festival and Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation Sign Memorandum of Understanding

Lord Provost of Edinburgh, Donald Wilson will preside over the formal signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Edinburgh International Festival and the Abu Dhabi Music Arts Foundation during this year's Festival.

The signing will take place at 9.30am on Monday 13 August in the European Room at the City of Edinburgh Council's Chambers.

Jonathan Mills will sign the agreement on behalf of the Edinburgh International Festival and Her Excellency Mrs Hoda Al Khamis Kanoo is the signatory for the Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation.

Mrs Kanoo is also one of the key note speakers at the inaugural Edinburgh International Culture Summit which opens later that day at the Scottish Parliament.

Festival Directors Jonathan Mills and Her Excellency Mrs Hoda Al Khamis Kanoo have been working to develop links between the two organisations, the first outcomes of which realise themselves at Festival 2012 through the signing of the MOU and the visit of a delegation from Abu Dhabi who will study the Edinburgh International Festival's workings this year.

Other areas of common interest covered by the Memorandum include identifying opportunities to promote artistic co-operation and collaboration as well as sharing knowledge about audience development and the role of arts education.

There will be an ongoing exchange of personnel and information to foster greater understanding of each other's work in all aspects of cultural and artistic development, and a commitment to facilitating liaison and participation of third parties including local and international cultural and governmental bodies.

Her Excellency Mrs Hoda Al Khamis Kanoo, Founder and Artistic Director of the Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation said 'The Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation is committed to its goal of connecting cultures from around the world and partnerships with exceptional and energetic institutions such as the Edinburgh International Festival are vital to realizing these goals. Our shared belief in art and music as keystones of modern society means we can learn from each other and in doing so, lay the foundations for all future cultural endeavours.'

Festival Director Jonathan Mills said 'Working with internationally aware, interested and engaged cultural organisations around the world is both rewarding and highly valuable to the Festival. After many inspiring conversations with Mrs Kanoo, founder of the Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation I am delighted that we signing an agreement to further collaborate, learn from each other and benefit both our organisations and countries through a deeper relationship.'

Lord Provost of Edinburgh, Donald Wilson said, 'The signing of this agreement today marks an exciting time in the history of the world renowned Edinburgh International Festival and, in conjunction with the link established in 2011 by the Edinburgh International Science Festival and the Abu Dhabi Science Festival, will help bring the great cities of Edinburgh and Abu Dhabi even further closer together.'