Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development Announces Program of Inaugural Edition of Al Burda Festival

The UAE Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development today announced the program of the inaugural edition of Al Burda Festival that aims to position the UAE as a global hub for Islamic art and culture and an incubator for creativity. 

Set to run on November 14, 2018, at Warehouse421 in Abu Dhabi, the event will renew the country’s commitment to promoting Islamic art globally while encouraging innovation. The festival will bring together international calligraphers, designers, poets and artists to exhibit their work and share insights.

Image: (Graph - AETOSWire)

Her Excellency Noura Al Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development, said: “Al Burda Festival celebrates Islamic art and culture to highlight its aesthetics and reinterpret its pillars in a contemporary context. The event seeks to reinforce the UAE’s contribution towards the preservation of artistic heritage for future generations.” 

Image: BurdaFestival-logo

She added: “Al Burda Festival will bring together creative minds to shape the future of Islamic arts through a series of panel discussions, art exhibitions and live shows that initiate dialogue and forge connections among artists from around the world. The event will enable talented professionals with a keen interest in Islamic arts to exchange opinions and perspectives on the best ways of developing collaborative projects that honor the past, embody the present and shape the future. The festival will play a pivotal role in engaging the young generation in ambitious artistic projects that leverage new technologies to redefine Islamic art and culture.”

Attendees will include Dr Henry Kim, Director and CEO of the Aga Khan Museum from Canada, Antonia Carver, Director of Art Jameel from the UAE, Mona Khazindar, Member of the Board of Directors of the General Culture Authority from Saudi Arabia, Marina Tabassum, winner of the Aga Khan Award for Architecture from Bangladesh, Gabo Arora, filmmaker and co-founder of Tomorrow Never Knows from the USA, Anissa Helou, chef and cookbook author from the UK, and Dr Venetia Porter, Assistant Keeper at the Department of the Middle East at the British Museum in the UK.

The highlight of the event will be the announcement of the winners of the 15th Al Burda Award.