Art, music and film: 10 cultural festivals in the Mena region worth travelling to
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What's On
27-07-2025
- What's On
Staycation review: The Residence at One&Only Royal Mirage, revamped
An icon of Dubai hospitality of more than two decades, the One&Only Royal Mirage is the kind of city getaway that does city getaways right. This weekend, we're staying at the recently-refurbished Residence. The Setting Designed to emulate traditional Arabian architecture, the resort is an imposing, intricate facade, coloured in the typical stone with high ceilings, smooth arches, grand chandeliers, antique furniture, oriental furnishings and a kind of old-world charm. 3 of 12 Our area of focus, The Residence, is just one of three separate properties enclosed in the One&Only Royal Mirage compound – a more intimate, settled in and luxurious escape with winding hallways, shiny tiled floors and wooden accents found in traditional Arabian homes. Massive, aquamarine pools and a stretch of private beach add a touch of the exclusivity to the resort. Think desert chic, elevated. The Room Recently, the 48 rooms and suites of the Residence underwent a meticulous renovation, revealing a fresh new look that blends timeless Arabian design elements with contemporary touches. Our room, the Junior Suite, is located on the ground floor of The Residences, with a shaded patio that overlooks the gorgeous gardens and the pool. The room itself is expansive, divided into a sitting area and a bedroom. Wooden fittings, low-hanging lanterns and lattice partitions give the room an Arabian feel, while large mirrors, plush carpeting, curated coffee table books and the airy bathroom add a modern touch. It truly feels like a residence, somehow more boutique and personal. The Food & Drink The first night, we dined at Tagine, the resident Moroccan restaurant draped in cultural and heritage elements. The staff spoil us with keen, attentive service and we sample some authentic Morrocan favourites like the namesake tagine, a selection of dips, pastries and starters, couscous and tender meat – everything packed with flavour and varied textures. The next day we have lunch at The Beach Bar & Grill by Mauro Colagreco, a charming, nautical-themed establishment perched by the beach. Here, we sample delicious seafood cooked with bright, colourful ingredients and South American flair. Portions at both the restaurants are hearty and filling. The Activities During our stay, we're invited to join the Moonlight night swim at the adults-only Janoub Pool, located in The Palace. The night is crisp and pleasant, and we relax in the infinity pool followed by a quick dinner on the loungers of some of the bar bites – warm empanadas, a meaty burger and some drinks. The rest of the night is spent lounging on the sun beds, breathing in the nighttime air and the calm of our surroundings. We also have a couples massage at The Spa, a quiet sanctuary laid further and further inward for complete disconnect – a much-needed reset – and explore Sauce, the in-house vacation store. Besides this, The Residence does have a fitness centre with a trainer, a pool, access to the beach and The Library Bar for moody evenings. The Experience Right in the heart of Dubai Media City, a packed, bustling, corporate area, The Residence, and the resort as a whole, whisks you away to a bubble elsewhere, where the noise of the traffic, the haze of the crane lights and the catacomb of the roads is far removed. If you were dropped into the centre of the massive, sprawling property, you would never guess what lies beyond the rolling grounds of swaying date trees and the boundaries. Think long relaxing days spent by pool, glamorous dinner dates by night and total escapism. What to Pack Bathing suits for the pool, flowy glam for evenings and airy linens for daytime. What's On the Bill From Dhs900 per night – there is also the Summer Escapes offer, exclusive to this season. Enjoy 15% savings on longer stays, daily waterpark access, and evening drinks for guests at The Palace. Guests at The Residence can indulge in a 60-minute spa treatment and daily afternoon tea, while families at Arabian Court benefit from kids staying and dining free. Minimum stay of 2 nights. The Final Say What's On Verdict: The Residence at One&Only Royal Mirage is a city sanctuary done right. The Deets Location: Dubai Media City, Dubai Check-in/Check-out: 3pm/12pm Contact: (04) 399 9999 | @ooroyalmirage Booking tip: Grab the staycation offer for this season before it ends. Images: Supplied
Middle East Eye
26-07-2025
- Middle East Eye
Christopher Nolan criticised for shooting The Odyssey in occupied Western Sahara
Sahrawi activists and filmmakers have condemned director Christopher Nolan over his decision to shoot part of his upcoming production, The Odyssey, in the Morocco-occupied Western Sahara. The forthcoming film, based on Homer's ancient Greek epic poem, will star Matt Damon, Tom Holland and Zendaya - among others - and is being filmed in several locations, including Greece, Italy, Scotland and Iceland. The decision to shoot some of the film in the city of Dakhla, which is located in the Western Sahara, has provoked criticism from rights groups who say the filmmakers are whitewashing Morocco's more than 50-year occupation of the territory. Sahrawi journalist and filmmaker Mamine Hachimi described Nolan's choice of filming location as an "act of cultural complicity" with Morocco's occupation. "Western Sahara remains the last colony in Africa, recognised by the UN. Morocco's presence there is illegal in every sense from international law, sustained by repression, exploitation of land and silencing of indigenous voices," he told Middle East Eye. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters "Any foreign production choosing to shoot in the occupied territory without the consent of the Sahrawi people becomes part of that system of repression, knowingly or not." Hachimi co-directed "Three Stolen Cameras," a short documentary that detailed the difficulties facing the Sahrawi media organisation Equipe Media as it attempted to document the abuses perpetrated against the Sahrawi in Western Sahara. 'Art should defy injustice, not perpetuate it' - Mamine Hachimi, filmmaker The film was initially set to premiere in Beirut in 2017, but was dropped following pressure from the Moroccan government. Members of Equipe Media also faced arrest and harassment from Moroccan authorities. "This isn't only about a film. It's about narrative ownership and who gets to weave what tales while others are buried," Hachimi told MEE. "I plead with Christopher Nolan and the producers to reconsider this move and understand the political ramifications of their actions. Art should defy injustice, not perpetuate it." Coming off the back of Nolan's Oscar wins for Oppenheimer - and with a star-studded cast - many are tipping The Odyssey for further Oscar success. Tickets are already on sale for some select early IMAX 70mm showings and are thought to be almost completely sold out. Nolan, Damon and Zendaya's visit to Dakhla last week was also reported on by Moroccan media, which hailed the visit to "Morocco's southern provinces" - a status that is not recognised by the vast majority of countries. Local activist group Coordination Mechanism for Protest Action in Occupied Dakhla said filming in its city showed a "flagrant disregard for the region's legal status". 'This is not just a film shoot; it is a political act that contributes to the erasure of the Sahrawi people's identity and struggle,' it said in a statement. 'News black hole' Occupied by Morocco since 1975, the Western Sahara has been claimed by native Sahrawis, while the Algeria-backed Polisario Front has fought against the Moroccan state for independence for decades. Hundreds of thousands of Sahrawi refugees live across the border in camps in southwestern Algeria, while independence campaigners in Western Sahara have faced repeated repression by Moroccan authorities. In 2021, the US agreed to recognise Moroccan sovereignty over the Western Sahara in exchange for the kingdom recognising Israel. The uphill struggle of Sahrawis battling Morocco on Western Sahara's berm Read More » Spain and France have also both announced their support for a Morocco-proposed autonomy plan that Sahrawis have denounced as denying them their sovereignty. The Western Sahara International Film Festival (FiSahara), an annual event that takes place in the camps, said Nolan and the actors should stand in "solidarity" with the Sahrawi filmmakers who attempted to document the repression meted out against them in occupied territory. 'By filming part of The Odyssey in an occupied territory billed as a 'news black hole' by Reporters without Borders, Nolan and his team, perhaps unknowingly and unwillingly, are contributing to the repression of the Sahrawi people by Morocco, and to the Moroccan regime's efforts to normalise its occupation of Western Sahara', said FiSahara Executive Director Maria Carrion. 'We are sure that were they to understand the full implications of filming such a high-profile film in a territory whose indigenous peoples are unable to make their own films about their stories under occupation, Nolan and his team would be horrified." MEE contacted Nolan's production company, Syncopy Inc, for a comment, but had not received a response at the time of publication.
What's On
16-07-2025
- What's On
Restaurant review: CHAR x Around The Block
Located inside Nad Al Sheba Mall, this unique grill-focused café offers smoke-licked meats, inventive cold plates, and exclusive non-alcoholic drinks like the Coal Cola and Yuzu Kick. From morning coffee to a low-lit grill bar by night, CHAR delivers a thoughtful, flavour-packed experience that's refreshingly different. The Spot Located inside Nad Al Sheba Mall, CHAR is the latest flame-fired concept from the team behind Around The Block, a homegrown Emirati café brand known for switching things up with every new venture. It's the laid-back coffee haunt you know and love; the grill is lit, the lights are dimmed, and CHAR takes over. Expect bold, char-driven flavours, smoke-licked meats, and cold plates that strike a balance between rich and refreshing. The Vibe This isn't a high-speed, high-energy kind of place. Instead, CHAR leans into a more relaxed rhythm. It's rather casual, with open flames visible from your seat and a soundtrack that keeps things mellow. The setting evolves throughout the day from a morning coffee shop to low-lit grill bar and the transformation works. The Food and Drinks The food is where CHAR hits its stride. The chicken shawarma, assembled live in front of you, is a standout. Rich, juicy, and wrapped with house pickles for that ideal balance of punch and tang. The wagyu tenderloin comes bathed in a zaatar truffle butter that elevates it to indulgent perfection. And the Moroccan bread, pillowy and heavy on parmesan, makes for an excellent starter (if you're into cheese). Don't miss the street corn, which brings a good amount of kick and umami thanks to generous parmesan and spice. To drink? The Coal Cola is CHAR's take on a cleaner, fresher cola, and the Yuzu Kick feels like ginger ale's sharper, cooler cousin. Both are non-alcoholic and exclusive to the venue. Refreshing, surprising, and worth ordering twice, the coffee is a must try, too. The Service The team is friendly but very laid-back, so don't expect fine-dining polish. The staff move at a relaxed pace, and their casual approach sets the tone across the space and suits a mellow evening. Something to note: the kitchen closes for an hour around 5pm to prep for dinner service, so time your visit accordingly. What to Order • Moroccan bread• Street corn• Chicken shawarma • Wagyu tenderloin • Yuzu Kick and homemade Coal Cola What's On the Bill Expect to spend around Dhs350 to Dhs450 for two, depending on how many plates and drinks you try. The value is in the flavour and originality. The Final Say What's On Verdict: Thoughtful, smoky, and refreshingly different. CHAR has all the ingredients to become a cult favourite, but go with patience and a big appetite. Location: CHAR x Around The Block, Nad Al Sheba Mall, Dubai Times: Daily, 7am till late Contact: @charconcept | @aroundtheblock Reservations: Walk-ins > Sign up for FREE to get exclusive updates that you are interested in
