Weekly UAE museum and gallery guide: Two Venice Biennale exhibitions debut in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah
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Sharjah 24
2 hours ago
- Sharjah 24
Al Wusta TV brings Al Dhaid Festival spirit to life
Daily programmes and live broadcasts As always, Al Wusta TV will be present with its full media crew, covering the festival live on-site. Viewers can expect daily field reports, live shows, and special segments that reflect the spirit of local heritage while highlighting the contributions of farmers and local producers — painting a picture of tradition blended with modernity. Special segments and evening shows Every day at 6:00 PM, the channel will air a live studio show featuring prominent guests, including officials, farmers, and palm cultivation experts. The evening concludes with "Festival Harvest" at 10:00 PM, showcasing date competitions, traditional markets, and handicrafts. The morning programme, "Al Wusta Diaries", will follow festival preparations and behind-the-scenes activity through special reports and feature stories. A message from the channel director Sawed Rashid bin Fadel Al Ketbi, Director of Al Wusta TV, shared: 'At Al Dhaid Date Festival, we don't just cover an event — we document the memory of a nation. The palm tree in our culture is more than a plant; it's a symbol of pride and generosity. Through our coverage, we retell its story with honour, sharing it with new generations in a way that reflects authenticity and belonging.' Connecting audiences near and far The channel will also produce exclusive content and special programming throughout the festival, broadcast on both television and social media. These segments aim to connect past and present, highlighting the importance of local production and Emirati cultural identity for audiences in the UAE and beyond.
Al Etihad
19 hours ago
- Al Etihad
Artist Azza Al Qubaisi: Liwa Date Festival is an opportunity to reconnect with UAE heritage
20 July 2025 23:00 MAYS IBRAHIM (LIWA CITY)For visual artist and designer Azza Al Qubaisi, the Liwa Date Festival is more than a harvest celebration; it is a conscious act of cultural preservation and remembrance. For over two decades, she has returned, blending desert stories, ancestral echoes and modern artistry into works that speak of who she is and where she comes from Al Qutuf, Al Dhafra, Al-Qubaisi views the festival as an opportunity to reconnect with her heritage and to reflect the evolving identity of the UAE through her contemporary artistic creations. "This festival is not about selling or marketing my products," she told Aletihad. "It is about saying I belong. I am here to present my identity." At this year's festival, Al Qubaisi is exhibiting a range of works that fuse traditional Emirati elements with modern design. Among them are chairs made from palm fronds, artistic pieces inspired by the desert landscape, and silver and gold accessories shaped like the Emirati burqa, traditionally worn by women in the region.A highlight of her exhibit is the design of the festival's award trophies, which incorporate palm frond motifs and, for the first time this year, feature one of Liwa's iconic castles. She also designed the rutab (fresh date) hangers used across the festival – pieces that turn functional objects into cultural statements."I don't like to see things without design and intention," she said. "We have a wealth of ideas and creativity. I like to make sure our traditional motifs are part of our everyday experiences."Al Qubaisi's work is inspired by the UAE's Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan's words: "A nation without a past is a nation without a present or a future." She channels this philosophy into each of her creations, transforming heritage elements into pieces that are both visually compelling and culturally significant."My goal is to reflect my identity through my artworks, and at the same time present and preserve it for the future," she said. "A simple object like a hanger can become a visual connection for children, something that carries emotion, history and identity."Arabic calligraphy is another signature feature of Al Qubaisi's work. By incorporating letters into her designs, she hopes to inspire a renewed appreciation for the Arabic language among younger of her pieces are produced locally, and collaboration remains central to her artistic philosophy. This year, she is working with fellow Emirati artist Moosa Al Halyan, who contributed illustrations on palm stalks for a joint exhibition."I always try to move away from 'me' and focus on 'we.' Collaborating with other artists helps develop the local artistic experience and contributes to a shared cultural vision," she said. "As individuals and institutions, we must give and create together."
What's On
a day ago
- What's On
Artist spotlight: Emirati soul singer, Arqam Al Abri
Aretha Franklin, James Brown, Stevie Wonder, The Temptations – these are just a few of the legends who shaped soul music. With roots in gospel, rhythm and blues, the genre carries strong associations and even stronger expectations. But prepare to have those expectations upended – Arqam Al Abri is here to challenge the preconceptions of what a soul singer looks and sounds like. We stumbled upon singer Al Abri during a random doomscroll on Instagram and were blown away by his voice. We watched as the Emirati/Omani gentleman, who was born and raised in Dubai, effortlessly belted out Use Somebody by Kings of Leon. Arqam al Abri Dressed in a navy-blue kandura and a white ghutra, the Emirati soul singer easily evoked goosebumps. And clearly, it's a common feeling, because the singer has over 60,000 followers on social media, and every comment was nothing but praise. We just knew we had to reach out to him to get to know the man behind the stunning voice. When asked about his inspiration, Al Abri tells us he grew up in a house full of music. 'My dad was a musician and had a massive music collection that we used to listen to. Music from legends such as Elvis, James Brown, Otis Redding, Sam Cooke and more. We used to sneak into his room to listen to his music and I think that inspired us.' The singer also shares that his first memory of music is hearing his father sing. When asked when he realised he could sing in that way, he laughed and said 'sing like what?' However, he added he had no formal training and had a voice coach for just a couple of weeks. It's a constant learning curve, Al Abri admits. 'I like to think I learn from every musician I've jammed with – from guitarists and keyboard players to drummers and singers. Every rehearsal, every performance is a lesson.' Other singers who strongly influenced him include his own brother Abri, and other prominent names in the soul singing business including Sam Cooke, Lauryn Hill and Bob Marley. The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill is an album Al Abri tells us he can listen to on repeat. When asked if he faced any challenges being a soul singer in the UAE, Al Abri shared 'The early days were difficult, I can't complain though. Challenges are what makes you who you are.' However, it looks like his hard work and dedication has paid off, because he has not only performed in some top venues here in the UAE, he also sang alongside internationally acclaimed pianist, Lang Lang. When asked if being Emirati influences his music, he said 'To a certain extent, I add some elements of our music into my songs. I've sampled the Ayala in one of my songs Towards the Light… slipped in some Oud into another original Leaving, and I often perform live with an amazing Oud player – Nezar Omran.' Al Abri also writes his own songs which the world can listen to on Spotify and Apple Music. According to the singer, he is hoping to do more to merge Khaleeji music and soul music in his next EP (extended play). And it looks like his dreams will soon become a reality, because Al Abri happily shared that he was 'fortunate enough to receive a grant from the Ministry of Culture to produce and EP.' He added, 'It will be a fusion of Emirati/Khaleeji music and soul music – around four or five songs.' He is working on a few campaigns and is excited to share them with us soon. Al Abri said that he was fortunate enough to sustain himself through his music during the Covid-19 lockdown when he was unsure of his decision to leave his job, he wrote a song called Heavy. 'It starts off fairly sad, but then becomes more hopeful and determined towards the end. It's also the first song where I played guitar on my own track.' When asked what's something that people might be surprised to learn about him, he chuckled quietly and shared, 'I am fairly reclusive… very demure… very mindful…' He also shared that one of his favourite songs to perform is Creep by Radiohead. 'It's such a beautiful song. For someone like me that isn't necessarily comfortable being around a lot of people, I can relate with the song.' 'It's been an incredible journey to be able to do something that, I hope, is able to touch people and make a decent income from,' he said. However, when he is not dabbling in music, Al Abri unwinds by spending time with his cats. For emerging artists in the region, Al Abri has one simple piece of advice: 'Find out who you are. It'll show in your music.' Follow Arqam Al Abri on his musical journey on Instagram @
