Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi will host the contemporary dance performance “Kaynuna” by the Sima Dance Theatre on October 23, 2026, as part of the university’s Year of Artificial Intelligence events. The work blends contemporary dance, laser effects, and interactive visual projections to explore the evolving relationship between humans and smart technologies.
Theatrical embodiment giving AI an independent persona on Zayed Stage
Five creative chapters blending expressive movement with advanced visual technologies
Academic vision for the integration of innovation and arts, and the return of Sima Company
Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi’s legacy and its research and global standing
Frequently Asked Questions
Theatrical embodiment giving AI an independent persona on Zayed Stage
Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi announced in the UAE capital on October 15, 2026, the organization of an exceptional artistic and interactive performance titled “Kaynuna”. This contemporary dance work gives artificial intelligence a vital dimension and an independent persona with its own logic, self-driven motives, and innate survival instinct. The performance is presented by the award-winning Sima Dance Theatre as part of the cultural and artistic events accompanying the university’s Year of Artificial Intelligence 2026 initiative.
The artistic performance is scheduled for the evening of Friday, October 23, 2026, on the Zayed Stage inside the Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi campus, with the event starting precisely at 8:00 PM. Event management has reminded attendees wishing to be present that theater doors will close strictly at 8:00 PM, and entry to the hall will not be permitted after the theatrical performance begins to ensure the complete visual and auditory experience for viewers. Tickets for “Kaynuna” are available for 75 UAE dirhams via the official electronic portal of Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi.
This creative work aims to combine the latest achievements in digital technology and expressive dance arts within a shared universal language that transcends cultural barriers and linguistic differences, offering audiences a new philosophical and aesthetic perspective on the intertwined and constantly changing relationship between humans and modern artificial intelligence systems.
Five creative chapters blending expressive movement with advanced visual technologies
The choreography for “Kaynuna” was created by renowned choreographer Alaa Krayem in close artistic collaboration with creator Lana Fahmy. The events of this integrated theatrical work are distributed across 5 successive chapters that dramatically review the rise of artificial intelligence, its rapid development stages, and its exceptional future horizons, alongside highlighting the deep philosophical and ethical questions raised by this development regarding humanity’s future and destiny.
On stage, impactful dance movements intertwine with musical composition, precise sound design, synchronized laser effects, and direct interactive projection mapping techniques on surfaces, aiming to deliver an immersive sensory experience that embodies the moment humans meet modern technology. The name “Kaynuna” refers to the concept of existence and self in the Arabic language, reflecting the core of the work as it delves into exploring identity and the changing, blurred boundaries between humans and smart technologies.
Amid the growing presence of artificial intelligence algorithms and their infiltration into the finest details of contemporary daily life, the theatrical performance invites the audience to deep contemplation on the effects of these technologies on the fabric of society, human creative systems, and the meaning of human existence itself, launching a pivotal and open question about humanity’s actual readiness to embark on this unknown journey.
Academic vision for the integration of innovation and arts, and the return of Sima Company
Commenting on hosting this artistic event, Professor Nathalie Marziali Braz, Vice Chancellor of Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, emphasized the importance of the arts in keeping pace with major scientific transformations, stating: “At Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, we recognize the power of arts to inspire dialogue, challenge prevailing perspectives, and deepen reflection on the issues that shape our world. As part of the university’s Year of Artificial Intelligence 2026 events, the ‘Kaynuna’ performance embodies the integration of innovation and artistic expression to challenge traditional thinking patterns and present new visions on the meaning of humanity in the age of artificial intelligence.”
This event marks a renewed return for Sima Dance Theatre to the halls of Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, following the remarkable success of its contemplative artistic performance “Noon” in 2025, which concluded the university’s Year of the Ocean events with an audience exceeding 200 spectators.
It is worth noting that Sima Dance Theatre was established in Damascus, Syria, in 2003 and is currently headquartered in Dubai. Over more than two decades, it has successfully established its position as one of the leading contemporary dance troupes in the Arab world. Led by Alaa Krayem, the company includes elite professional dancers who have undergone specialized dance training in international centers, distinguished by a unique artistic style combining meticulous expressive movement, sincere human emotion, and contemporary theatrical storytelling.
Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi’s legacy and its research and global standing
The organization of this performance reflects the vital role played by Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi as a vibrant cultural and academic hub since its establishment in 2006 under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. It is the first French university in the United Arab Emirates and a branch of the prestigious Sorbonne University in Paris, officially licensed by the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge. The university builds on a legacy of more than 768 years of shared academic excellence between Sorbonne University and Paris Cité University, offering over 20 undergraduate and graduate academic programs in arts, humanities, law, economics, business administration, data, science, and engineering, alongside doctoral programs available upon request and accredited in both France and the UAE.
The university houses the largest French-language academic library in the Arabian Gulf region, alongside the Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Scientific Research (SAFEER), which supports the research and innovation ecosystem through 7 specialized centers covering vital fields including artificial intelligence, humanities, and marine sciences, providing direct access to a scientific network of over 17,000 researchers and industry research partners. The university has graduated more than 3,200 students representing over 90 nationalities worldwide.
Regarding awards and rankings, Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi was named the best educational university in the Faculty of Arts and Humanities at the 2019 Forbes Middle East Higher Education Awards, won first place in the Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Environmental Award in the environmental research institution category, and ranked 2nd in the UAE for responsible consumption and production according to the 2025 Times Higher Education Impact Rankings. Globally, the parent Sorbonne University ranks 43rd globally in the 2025 Academic Ranking of World Universities (Shanghai Ranking), 6th globally in mathematics, and 29th globally in physics, and was ranked as the best communication university in France according to Le Figaro Étudiant for 2025, while Paris Cité University ranked 60th globally in the 2025 Shanghai Ranking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: When and where will the “Kaynuna” contemporary dance performance take place?
Answer: The “Kaynuna” performance will take place on Friday, October 23, 2026, at 8:00 PM at the Zayed Stage on the Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi campus, with doors closing strictly at 8:00 PM.
Question: Who is the creative entity producing the “Kaynuna” performance and what is its core concept?
Answer: The performance is presented by Sima Dance Theatre, created by choreographer Alaa Krayem in collaboration with Lana Fahmy, and consists of 5 chapters exploring the evolution of artificial intelligence and its relationship with human identity.
Question: What is the ticket price for the performance and how can they be obtained?
Answer: Tickets for “Kaynuna” are available at 75 UAE dirhams per ticket and can be purchased directly through the official website of Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi.
Question: What role does the SAFEER Institute play at Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi?
Answer: The SAFEER Institute for Innovation and Scientific Research supports advanced research through 7 specialized centers covering artificial intelligence, humanities, and marine sciences, and connects to a network of over 17,000 researchers.
