Akram Khan’s Final Touring Production ‘Thikra: Night of Remembering’ Comes to Abu Dhabi This November

Akram Khan Company brings its final touring production, Thikra: Night of Remembering, to Abu Dhabi’s Cultural Foundation on 20 and 21 November 2026, featuring a powerful collaboration with Saudi artist Manal AlDowayan.

Rahul B

Akram Khan’s Final Touring Production ‘Thikra: Night of Remembering’ Comes to Abu Dhabi This November

Dubai, 6 Nov 2026: Abu Dhabi will welcome Thikra: Night of Remembering, the latest production by acclaimed director and choreographer Akram Khan, for two performances at the Cultural Foundation on 20 and 21 November 2026. The production is also the final touring work of the internationally recognised Akram Khan Company.

Commissioned by Wadi AlFann, a forthcoming global destination for contemporary art in AlUla, Saudi Arabia, Thikra brings together Akram Khan and Saudi contemporary artist Manal AlDowayan in a creative collaboration that combines dance, visual art, music and traditional craftsmanship.

The Arabic word “Thikra” means memory or remembrance. Conceived as a night ritual, the performance follows a gathering of women who come together to awaken the spirits of those who came before them. Through ceremony and shared remembrance, the production explores the connection between past and present, women’s stories and the strength of community.

Khan’s distinctive movement style blends contemporary dance with classical Indian dance traditions. AlDowayan has created the production’s visual direction, including its costumes and set design. Drawing inspiration from AlUla’s landscape and heritage, the visual elements incorporate natural dyes and geometric motifs influenced by the region’s traditional crafts.

The original score is composed by Indian-American singer and composer Aditya Prakash, featuring more than 40 international musicians and recordings of local musicians from AlUla. The production also involved artisans and creative institutions from the region, including Madrasat Addeera and AlUla Music Hub.

The world premiere took place in January 2025 under the stars in AlUla’s ancient oasis, against the dramatic landscape of Wadi AlFann. An indoor adaptation began touring internationally in June 2025.

For Akram Khan Company, founded by Khan and Farooq Chaudhry, the production marks a significant milestone after 25 years of artistic work. The company has announced that Thikra will be its final touring production, with the tour scheduled to continue until March 2027.

The Abu Dhabi performances will take place at the Cultural Foundation, the UAE’s first cultural centre, established in 1981 beside Qasr Al Hosn. Presented in partnership with the Cultural Foundation under DCT Abu Dhabi, the performances offer audiences an opportunity to experience this important work before the company concludes its touring journey.

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