The Humpty Dumpty Institute (HDI) was selected to provide a series of performances in the USA Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai highlighting American artists.
From October 13-October 18, 2021, HDI’s Cultural Envoys, The Harrisonburg Kurdish American String Ensemble, performed a dozen concerts reaching large audiences. The Ensemble is a music group from Harrisonburg, Virginia and is composed of U.S.-born fiddlers and recently arrived Kurdish American immigrants. The group combines Appalachian/County music with the unique sounds of a Kurdish classical tradition. Audiences were amazed by the richness of the fusion, which demonstrated the openness and multiculturalism of the United States.
While The Harrisonburg Kurdish American String Ensemble displayed the richness of American culture in the USA Pavilion, HDI film program alumnus, Jawad Sharif, was representing Pakistan at the Pakistan Pavilion Jawad was a participant in HDI’s 2017 filmmakers training program. This program brings emerging international filmmakers to Los Angeles to work with American filmmakers, directors, and writers. Jawad went on to make the critically acclaimed film Indus Blues. The members of The Harrisonburg Kurdish American String Ensemble and Jawad used the fortunate coincidence of being in Dubai at the same time to meet. They discussed future collaboration between American and Pakistani artists.
We would like to congratulate GlobalTies U.S. for its work with HDI’s Cultural Envoys and all the American performers they curated for Expo 2020.
HDI is committed to highlighting U.S. culture as a method of promoting dialogue worldwide. We have worked with more than 70 U.S. Embassies and Consulates to bring American culture to countries worldwide.
