800 artists to make Washington 'Arabesque'

More than 800 Arab artists from 22 countries will appear in Washington in the largest ever presentation of Arab arts in the United States, a three-week event that coincides with President Barack Obama's attempt to build better relations with the Muslim world.

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts began planning the "Arabesque" festival years ago. Its events are not tied to the US government in any way, but the timing turned out to be inspired, said show curator Alicia Adams.

"It's fortuitous that it's happening at this time when we are trying to change the way that we do things and our relationships with this region of the world," she said.