Culture & Education | Thursday 14 February, 2019 1:30 am |

Marking the beginning of one of the most vibrant periods of the city, Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), the Emirate’s dedicated entity for culture, arts, and heritage, announced the official launch of the sixth edition of Dubai Art Season from 1st March until 30th April 2019, to be held under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice Chairman of Dubai Culture.

 

This year, the Dubai Art Season calendar features an array of new initiatives by existing and new partners along with a colourful, and captivating tapestry of creative events across the city. At a conference held today, Saeed Al Nabouda, Acting Director General at Dubai Culture, announced the new tagline ‘Take a Walk on the Art Side’, inviting the community to explore Dubai’s thriving art scene and a rich programme of activities, exhibitions and art fairs during the season.

 

Al Nabouda expressed his gratitude to the media for their active cooperation and support during the five previous editions of the Dubai Art Season, since its launch in 2014. Over the years, Dubai Art Season has gained popularity as a platform that positions the city as a world-class art and culture destination, bringing together people from across the country and region for a grand celebration of culture and creativity.

 

Al Nabouda said, “Dubai Art Season is an ideal platform for demonstrating Dubai Culture’s commitment to upholding the Eight Principles of Governance of Dubai and Fifty-Year Charter, launched by HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashed Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. We are committed to fully supporting these standards, especially the fifth principle; ‘Our Society has a Unique Personality,’ by spreading goodness and the acceptance of everyone. This goes hand in hand with our initiatives, which champion mutual respect and tolerance, enhance cohesion among all segments of the society, and discourage bigotry and discrimination.”

 

Likewise, several of Dubai Culture’s initiatives are in line with the seventh principle ‘A Land for Talent,’ as it strives to foster and develop talented individuals, and promote their creativity to sustain Dubai as a destination for distinguished minds.

 

Embodying the eighth principle, Dubai Culture directs special attention towards empowering future generations through its innovative projects for preserving and safeguarding heritage, leveraging it as a pivotal source for the community identity of Dubai and the UAE in the future.

 

Al Nabouda added, “We have also followed closely the speech of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council, at the World Government Summit. His Highness talked about the shifts that will occur in cities around the world in the next few years, underlining the importance of developing competencies and attracting talents to drive technological development, and providing opportunities for the creative industry sector and the cultural movement to thrive. Dubai Culture will continue its efforts to follow the directives and vision of our leadership to position Dubai at the top across all fields.”

 

“Through this season’s activities, we seek to bolster happiness and positivity among all Dubai community members and visitors, in line with the Dubai Plan 2021 to make Dubai a city of happy, empowered and proud individuals. These activities also contribute to achieving our 5-year Strategic Plan and ensure the happiness and well-being of all Dubai residents by building and promoting a vibrant, sustainable, and multicultural society, while preserving the national identity and heritage.”

 

Al Nabouda concluded, “Through these flagship events that enhance the UAE’s image as a global cultural hub, Dubai Art Season underlines the UAE as a beacon of tolerance and coexistence, cradling over 200 nationalities who live here in perfect harmony, as it upholds the values that the Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed, established among the people of the UAE."

 

Dubai Art Season 2019 kicks off with the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature, followed by Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum International Photography Awards (HIPA), SIKKA Art Fair, Art Dubai, DIFC Art Nights, and Galleries Night (Alserkal avenue). Other events include L’Ecole Van Cleef & Arpels, World Art Dubai, Middle East Film & Comic Con, to name a few. 

 

This year’s edition will culminate with the Dubai International Arabic Calligraphy Exhibition, in its 10th edition, offering visitors a platform for knowledge and culture exchange.