Arts and Culture Programme AM25

Opening ConcertThe Opening Concert, titled “Guardians of the Glaciers”, will mark the conclusion of a three-year trilogy dedicated to raising awareness of the climate crisis and the urgent need for environmental action. At AM23, we focused on the fragile coral ecosystems of the Northern Red Sea, highlighting the devastating impact of rising temperatures on these vital underwater cities. At AM24, we explored the unlikely but critical relationship between the Sahara desert and the Amazon rainforest, emphasizing the need to protect this invaluable ecosystem and the Indigenous peoples who safeguard it. Now, in alignment with the UN General Assembly’s declaration of 2025 as the International Year of Glacier Preservation, the AM25 Opening Concert will turn its attention to the rapidly melting polar ice caps – an urgent and often overlooked consequence of climate change. The ongoing ice loss in Antarctica, which holds 91% of the world’s glaciers, is not only a local concern but a global crisis, contributing to rising sea levels, shifting weather patterns and accelerating biodiversity loss. This year’s concert will combine groundbreaking AI- generated visuals, electronic composition, synthetic sounds and classical music, performed by world-class musicians and vocalists. Together, they will bring to life the beauty and fragility of polar landscapes, immersing the audience in the awe-inspiring yet vanishing wilderness of the poles. This multi-sensory experience will serve both as a celebration of our planet’s natural wonders and a call to action, urging us to confront the climate challenges head-on and take decisive steps to preservation and restoration. As a powerful conclusion to the trilogy, the AM25 Opening Concert will reinforce the interconnectedness of Earth’s ecosystems and the need for urgent, coordinated global action. Over the past three years, the Opening Concerts at AM23, AM24 and now AM25 have each illuminated a critical aspect of our natural world – whether coral reefs, rainforests, or glaciers – underscoring the existential threats we face while celebrating the resilience and beauty of nature. These performances have become a platform not only to raise awareness but also to inspire the collective will to reclaim control of our destiny.Location: Plenary Hall, Congress Centre Date & time: Monday, 20 January, 18.30 – 19.15 This is a livestreamed event Ane Brun Danielle de Niese Michael KammJeremy Dutcher Tim Allhoff (Opposite) Image: Refik Anadol Studio, 2024 Studies from Large Nature Model : Glacier Arts and Culture Programme Arts and Culture Programme Annual Meeting 2025 Annual Meeting 20258 9