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Manar is making its way back to Abu Dhabi and it's going to be beautiful

Manar is making its way back to Abu Dhabi and it's going to be beautiful

The capital's coasts, islands and skyline are about to glow once again.
Manar Abu Dhabi, the city's stunning light art exhibition, is making its much-anticipated return this November and it's bringing even more magic to the waterfront.
Launched by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) as part of the Public Art Abu Dhabi programme, Manar (which means 'lighthouse' in Arabic) is anything but your typical art show.
Think massive light sculptures, ethereal projections, interactive installations and thought-provoking performances – all set against the natural beauty of the capital's shores.
Rise 2023 © Alaa Edris
Following its dazzling debut in 2023, Manar 2.0 is upping the ante with over 35 artworks from global artists, including powerhouses like teamLab, Carsten Höller and Shezad Dawood, plus homegrown talents like Ahmed Al Areef Al Dhaheri and Nujoom Alghanem.
From Japan to Mexico and everywhere in between, it's a lineup that promises to transform Abu Dhabi into a living, glowing canvas.
Expect to see light installations ripple across iconic locations like Saadiyat, Jubail and Fahid Island, as well as along the Corniche and Eastern Mangroves.
Whether you're walking the coastline, cruising past in a dhow, or snapping pics from dry land, the experience is designed to stop you in your tracks and get you thinking – about nature, about connection and about creativity in all its forms.
Stay tuned for the full programme reveal, but for now, mark your calendar. November is going to shine.
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Grab your SPF – a lush day by the water awaits
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11th edition of Dubai Design Week takes stage on November 4-9 at d3
11th edition of Dubai Design Week takes stage on November 4-9 at d3

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  • Gulf Today

11th edition of Dubai Design Week takes stage on November 4-9 at d3

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Ziad Rahbani, 'voice of Lebanon's soul', dies at 69: Tributes pour in for beloved composer
Ziad Rahbani, 'voice of Lebanon's soul', dies at 69: Tributes pour in for beloved composer

The National

time21 hours ago

  • The National

Ziad Rahbani, 'voice of Lebanon's soul', dies at 69: Tributes pour in for beloved composer

Ziad Rahbani, a Lebanese composer, playwright and political commentator known for his influential role in Arabic theatre and music, has died aged 69. The cause of death has yet to be announced. The son of renowned singer Fairouz and late composer Assi Rahbani, Ziad Rahbani is widely regarded as one of the most distinctive creative voices to emerge from Lebanon in the past five decades. Toufic Maatouk, Lebanese composer and musicologist, told The National: 'Ziad Rahbani's music is a voice carved from Lebanon's soul. He called it 'oriental jazz,' but it was more – a fusion of Arabic melodies, funk, and jazz that sounded unmistakably Lebanese. Each note carried Beirut's chaos, warmth, and wit. Ziad's artistry wasn't imitation, it was invention, born from home.' Rahbani rose to prominence during the Lebanese Civil War through a series of acclaimed plays and musical works that combined colloquial Lebanese dialogue, jazz and classical Arabic music with political and social critique. He was born in Beirut in 1956 into one of the Arab world's most prominent musical families. He began his professional career at an early age, composing Saalouni El Nass in 1973, which Fairouz performed during a period when Assi Rahbani was recovering from a stroke. In the years that followed, Ziad Rahbani established himself as an important figure in Beirut's cultural scene. His early theatre productions including Nazl El-Sourour explored themes of civil conflict, sectarianism and everyday life in Lebanon with a satirical and often provocative tone. Rahbani was an outspoken political commentator, often expressing support for leftist movements and criticising the Lebanese political establishment. While his views were often polarising, he remained a leading voice in regional cultural and political discourse. In addition to his theatre work, Rahbani continued to compose music throughout his career, including a number of collaborations with his mother, in the 1980s. Albums such as Maarifti Feek and Wahdon introduced lyrical and musical directions for the celebrated musician, often reflecting more personal or socially conscious themes. Although he gave few interviews in his later years, Rahbani continued to perform live, frequently mixing music with political commentary during his concerts. His influence extends to several generations of Arab musicians, writers and performers. In recent years, the rise of the Habibi funk movement has won Rahbani fans around the world, with albums including Houdou Nisbi, Amrak Seedna & Abtal Wa Harameyah and Bennesbeh Labokra … Chou? reissued internationally on vinyl to great acclaim. Arab musicians pay tribute to Ziad Rahbani Lebanese musician Tania Saleh, considered one of the founding voices of the country's independent music culture, says that Rahbani is the true architect of the scene. 'Some people like to think the indie scene started with us. I don't think so. 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Ziad Rahbani, iconic Lebanese musician and playwright, dies at 69
Ziad Rahbani, iconic Lebanese musician and playwright, dies at 69

Sharjah 24

timea day ago

  • Sharjah 24

Ziad Rahbani, iconic Lebanese musician and playwright, dies at 69

A legacy of rebellion and innovation Often described as the enfant terrible of Lebanese culture, Rahbani left a lasting impact on generations through his provocative theatre pieces and innovative music. His work addressed political and social themes, often preempting or responding to Lebanon's turmoil, including the civil war that began in 1975. Revolutionary theatre and satire Rahbani's 1980 satirical play Film Ameriki Tawil (The American Motion Picture) remains one of his most iconic works. Set in an asylum during the civil war, it used humor and allegory to critique Lebanon's fractured society and political chaos. Musical heritage and oriental jazz As the son of Fairuz and Assi Rahbani—two pillars of Arab music—Ziad Rahbani inherited a profound artistic legacy. His contributions modernized Lebanese music, blending jazz with traditional Arabic melodies in a style he dubbed 'Oriental jazz.' His compositions for Fairuz brought her renewed popularity among younger generations. A voice for the marginalised Rahbani's outspoken secular and leftist views shaped both his art and public image. He consistently challenged Lebanon's sectarian divides and championed justice, earning him admiration across political lines. Tributes from across Lebanon Tributes poured in following his death. Actress Carmen Lebbos, his former partner, wrote: 'I feel like everything has gone. I feel like Lebanon has become empty.' President Joseph Aoun hailed Rahbani as 'a voice that rebelled against injustice, an honest mirror for the oppressed.' Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said Lebanon had lost 'a free voice who stayed faithful to the values of justice and dignity.' Culture Minister Ghassan Salame expressed grief, noting, 'We dreaded this day as we knew his health was worsening and that his desire for treatment was dwindling.' Ziad Rahbani's fearless voice, creative spirit, and deep influence on Arab culture will be remembered for generations to come.

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