Opening Ceremony

The event began with the UAE National Anthem, followed by a video highlighting the festival’s growth and success since 2011. The video emphasized the festival’s artistic achievements and its popularity with audiences of all backgrounds.

His Highness then witnessed the opening show, “An Extraordinary Vision.” The show celebrated the leadership of H.H. Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, showcasing his vision for Sharjah as a global center for culture, education, and innovation.

In his speech, H.E. Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman of SCTDA, thanked His Highness for attending the opening. He praised the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi and acknowledged his continued support for the development of Sharjah.

Al Midfa also highlighted the festival’s importance in supporting small and medium-sized businesses. More than 70 national projects are participating in the Light Village. The festival provides a platform for creative artists to showcase light installations that convey meaningful messages.

Sharjah Light Festival Highlights

The 2025 Sharjah Light Festival features stunning light displays at 12 key locations. The event blends art and technology, celebrating Sharjah’s architectural beauty and cultural heritage. Some of the standout shows include “A Journey through Light and Culture,” which transforms Sharjah Mosque into a dynamic canvas, “The Story of the Wadi,” depicting Sharjah’s history through themes of water, culture, and ancient traditions, and “The Light of the East,” a 3D projection show about Khorfakkan.

Sharjah Light Festival Expanding the Festival’s Reach

This year’s edition adds new locations like Sharjah Research, Technology, and Innovation Park, Al Heera Beach, and Al Hefaiyah Lake. These additions expand the festival’s cultural impact. The event continues to attract visitors from around the UAE and beyond, solidifying its place on Sharjah’s cultural calendar.

The Light Village: A Hub for Creativity and Entrepreneurship

The Light Village will run until February 23. It will feature interactive exhibits, a museum, and family-friendly activities. Local SMEs will showcase their products, ranging from food to retail experiences. The festival continues to provide opportunities for entrepreneurs to engage with the public and gain visibility.

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Notable attendees included H.E. Mariam Zayed Almazrouei, Delegate Minister in the Office of Minister of State for International Cooperation; H.E. Nickolay Mladenov, Director General of AGDA; D. Mohammed Ibrahim Al Dhaheri, Deputy Director General of the Academy; Ebtesam Alzaabi, Acting Secretary General of the UAE National Commission at the Ministry of Culture; Dr. Hana Saaed Alkaabi, Head of Public and Cultural Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA); Fatima Alnsour, Regional Organizations Expert at the Ministry of Culture; Shatha Abdulrahman Alghardaqa, Cultural Affairs Specialist at MOFA; and Elham Salem Albreiki, Cultural Affairs Specialist at MOFA.

The session commenced with a welcoming address by H.E. Nickolay Mladenov, who highlighted the essential role women play in shaping cultural diplomacy and fostering connections among diverse cultures.

He stated: “Women play a pivotal role in shaping a vibrant and inclusive global dialogue, and Sheikha Alyazia’s career stands as a powerful example of this influence. This session provided our students with a unique opportunity to learn from a remarkable leader whose impact spans across diverse fields. Our goal is to shine a light on the vital contributions women make in advancing cultural exchange.”

Mladenov further added, “Diplomacy has long been a bridge between cultures and communities, but today, it goes beyond formal negotiations. It encompasses the exchange of ideas and cultural values that foster deeper mutual understanding. Leaders like Sheikha Alyazia exemplify this spirit, contributing significantly to international cultural collaboration through their vision of openness and mutual respect.”

During the session, Sheikha Alyazia bint Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan discussed her role as the UAE’s Extraordinary Ambassador of Arab Culture to ALECSO and the challenges she has encountered. She emphasized the significance of cultural sectors for nations striving to preserve their heritage, acknowledging the numerous obstacles present in these fields, similar to those in other creative domains.

Sheikha Alyazia explained that interactions with culture can be either positive or negative, asserting that no one can remain indifferent or unaffected by culture. She stated, “We set out behind the vision of the wise leadership of the UAE, which supports the activation of joint cultural work with Arab countries, where we organised, in cooperation with ALECSO, the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Culture, and several partners, the longest Arab cultural programme, the ‘Arab Cultural Guide’, which lasted for nine months and included the participation of 16 Arab countries.”

Sheikha Alyazia also provided insights into the activities of the first ALECSO Cultural Embassy, underlining that culture serves as a reflection of a people’s identity and history. The session concluded with a Q&A segment, allowing attendees to engage with Sheikha Alyazia, who expressed her gratitude to the Academy’s management, attendees, and students.

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Organized by Brand Dubai in partnership with the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), the festival promises to enliven the metro with daily performances from 20 talented musicians hailing from the UAE and beyond. Commuters can expect a delightful array of musical genres and styles as these artists showcase their skills on various instruments.

Rashed Al Mulla, Director of Marketing and Corporate Communications at RTA’s Corporate Administrative Support Sector, expressed enthusiasm for the event: “RTA is proud to partner with Brand Dubai for the fourth edition of the Dubai Metro Music Festival, a highlight on Dubai’s creative events calendar, coinciding with the 15th anniversary of the Dubai Metro, the city’s most popular mode of public transport. This initiative reflects RTA’s commitment to enhancing the satisfaction, happiness, and positivity of residents and visitors across the emirate.

RTA aims to strengthen its ongoing collaboration with Brand Dubai, in line with the vision of our leadership to make Dubai the best place to live and enjoy a high quality of life.

This remarkable event showcases Dubai’s thriving creative scene. The Dubai Metro stations provide an ideal setting for the festival, with performances taking place in open public spaces.”

Shaima Al Suwaidi, Director of Brand Dubai, shared her excitement about this year’s lineup: “This year’s festival will feature an extraordinary lineup of musicians from around the world, each bringing their unique talents and diverse musical notes to Dubai’s metro stations. By turning everyday commutes into vibrant showcases of artistic talent, we continue to celebrate and strengthen Dubai’s dynamic creative scene, reinforcing the emirate’s status as a global hub for innovation and cultural excellence. The festival also further consolidates the city’s emergence as one of the world’s best places to live and visit.”

The festival will present a mix of traditional and contemporary musicians, including classical artists and innovative fusion performers. A variety of instruments will be featured, such as the Qanun, keyboard, drums, accordion, flute, violin, saxophone, piano, balafon, darbuka, keytar, marimba, electric guitar, pipe drum, hand pans, and even homemade instruments.

Highlights of the event will include an impressive performance by a nine-year-old Qanun prodigy, a piano piece by a 14-year-old Emirati boy with autism, and a showcase of instruments made from recycled materials. Additionally, attendees can look forward to beatboxing acts, a puppet show with live music, and vibrant displays of global rhythms featuring a range of percussion instruments.

Children will also participate in a unique drumming show that incorporates eye-catching light effects, ensuring an unforgettable experience for all attendees. The live performances will be held daily from 5 PM to 10 PM, rotating among the five metro stations throughout the festival.

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Featuring approximately 2,000 publishing houses and agencies from over 30 countries, the fair will showcase 800 booths filled with a rich tapestry of books and publications. It promises to be a vibrant platform for exploring literary works and engaging with innovative ideas.

Riyadh, a host of prominent writers, thinkers, and intellectuals from Saudi Arabia and across the globe will be present, underscoring the fair’s importance as a key literary event in the region.

Qatar will take center stage as the guest of honor, presenting its cultural and intellectual heritage through a specially curated pavilion. This pavilion will display rare manuscripts and publications from Qatar’s Ministry of Culture.

In attendance will be leading figures from Qatar’s literary and artistic community, as well as significant cultural organizations from the country.

Mohammed Hasan Alwan, CEO of the commission, highlighted the fair’s role in showcasing Saudi Arabia’s commitment to cultural initiatives. “The fair offers visitors a unique intellectual and cultural experience, incorporating the latest technologies and digital solutions. Attendees can discover thousands of new releases across various fields and enjoy a wide range of activities and events within the diverse cultural program, featuring prominent cultural figures from Saudi Arabia and beyond. This makes the 2024 edition a truly inspiring cultural journey, building on the successes of previous editions.”

This year’s fair will introduce a specialized business zone, featuring literary agencies that handle author contracts and printing presses catering to publishers.

Government and financial institutions related to the publishing sector will also have a presence. The zone will offer special sessions and workshops covering entrepreneurship, licensing, and copyright.

Additionally, a dedicated children’s area will offer a plethora of literary, cultural, and entertainment activities aimed at fostering curiosity among young readers.

By championing local authors, supporting self-published works, and offering a broad spectrum of cultural events, the fair highlights Saudi Arabia’s efforts to nurture literary creativity and innovation.

The Cultural Channel will collaborate to deliver the event’s extensive cultural and intellectual programming, featuring dialogue sessions, workshops, poetry readings, concerts, and artistic performances. We designed this diverse range of activities to enrich the cultural landscape, encourage knowledge sharing, and promote reading as an essential part of life, contributing to the ongoing cultural and intellectual renaissance in Saudi society.

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Curated by Jean-Remi Touzet, a respected conservator for paintings at the Musee d’Orsay, and Jerome Farigoule, the esteemed chief curator at Louvre Abu Dhabi, the exhibition promises a profound exploration of post-impressionism. With the invaluable support of Aisha Alahmadi, a dedicated curatorial assistant at Louvre Abu Dhabi, the event is set to delve into the transformative period spanning from 1886 to 1905.

During these dynamic two decades, artistic innovation and experimentation flourished, marking the transition from impressionism to the remarkable emergence of the ‘fauves’ at the Salon d’Automne. A press release accompanying the announcement emphasized the significance of this era in shaping the course of art history.

Beyond Van Gogh, the exhibition will feature notable highlights from the Arab world, including works by the celebrated French Egyptian artist, Georges Hanna Sabbagh. Among the showcased masterpieces are “The Artist and his family at La Clarte” (1920) and “The Sabbaghs in Paris” (1921), offering a unique perspective on the intersection of cultures and artistic expression.

As anticipation mounts for this extraordinary showcase of artistic brilliance, art enthusiasts and connoisseurs alike eagerly await the opportunity to immerse themselves in the timeless beauty and profound significance of post-impressionist art. With its rich tapestry of masterpieces and insightful curation, the exhibition promises to be a transformative journey through the evolution of art, inviting visitors to explore the boundless depths of creativity and expression.

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Renowned for her transcendent voice and soul-stirring performances, Abida Parveen, often hailed as the ‘Queen of Qawwalis’, effortlessly intertwines profound answers with Sufi poetry by Baba Bulleh Shah, Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai, and others in Punjabi and Sindhi. Parveen’s expertise stands as a testament to generations of heritage, and her performance promises an evening woven with spiritual enlightenment and musical excellence.

On the same stage, the iconic Atif Aslam, celebrated for his captivating stage presence and smooth vocals, will delight audiences with soulful renditions of hits like ‘Pehli Dafa’, ‘Jeena Jeena’, ‘Rafta Rafta’, and ‘Dil Diyan Gallan’. Aslam’s music, a global celebration of love, has enraptured millions worldwide, blending emotive storytelling with melodic grandeur.

Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime musical spectacle at the prestigious Etihad Arena. “Symphony of Stars” is an immersive experience, showcasing the unparalleled artistry of Atif Aslam and Abida Parveen, and the unifying power of music.

Timings: 9:00 pm
Date: 1st June, 2024
Venue: Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Event Website: Symphony of Stars
Get Tickets Now: Platinumlist

Ticket Type:

Royal (floor seating) : AED 2000/-
Platinum (floor seating): AED 650/-
Diamond (floor seating): AED 350/-
Gold: AED 280/-
Silver: AED 180/-
Bronze: AED 150/-

We are happy to support Symphony of Stars as a Media Partner at Coca Cola Arena, Dubai.
For PRs: pr@magzoid.com
Partnerships, Interviews & Marketing Support: sakshi@magzoid.com
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Moreover, complementing its extensive art showcase, World Art Dubai offers an engaging program of competitions, awards, workshops, live demonstrations, and curated art talks. From seasoned collectors to first-time buyers, the fair caters to all with affordable art pieces starting from AED367 ($100). Certainly, with its mission to democratize art and make it accessible to a wider audience, World Art Dubai serves as a dynamic platform for artists to showcase their talents. Undoubtedly, World Art Dubai is an event for art enthusiasts to explore and acquire original masterpieces.

Join the thousands of visitors expected at World Art Dubai 2024, as the fair marks its 10th edition. Unquestionably, the event is promises an unparalleled art experience filled with creativity, inspiration, and discovery.

Date: 2 – 5 May 2024
VIP Preview: 1st May 2024 ( 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm)
Venue: Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai, UAE.
Event Website: World Art Dubai
Get your tickets now: Platinumlist

We are happy to support World Art Dubai 2024 as a Media Partner.
For PRs: pr@magzoid.com
Partnerships, Interviews & Marketing Support: sakshi@magzoid.com
For General Queries: info@magzoid.com

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Supported by esteemed entities such as the Government of Goa, the Corporation of The City of Panaji, the Directorate of Art and Culture, Goa, the Entertainment Society of Goa, the Goa Tourism Department, Panaji Smart City, and the Goa Forest Department, the festival boasted a diverse curatorial lineup. Notable figures like Sandeep Kumar Sangaru, Chef Thomas Zacharias, Bickram Ghosh, Geeta Chandran, and Quasar Thakore Padamsee, among others, led the way in crafting a unique artistic experience.

Spanning 18 locations, including cultural spaces like the Old GMC Complex, the Art Park, Azad Maidan, Dinanath Mangeshkar Kala Mandir ESG Complex, and Nagalli Hills, the festival engaged visitors of all ages with visual, sensorial, and interactive experiences. From the electrifying performance by tabla maestro Zakir Hussain to the enchanting closing by Shilpa Rao, musical evenings were a standout feature.

This year’s edition prioritized inclusivity, especially in its children’s programming led by ThinkArts at the “Young at Art: Children’s Corner.” Workshops and interactive sessions aimed to unleash the creative imagination of young minds, exemplified by Sananda Mukhopadhyaya’s play “Saglejan Kheltat” (Everyone Plays), commissioned by the NGO Quest.

The festival also delved into the realm of sound and visuals with exhibits like “Synaesthetic Notations,” curated by Veerangana Solanki. Works from 15 artists explored the interplay between sound and visual imagery, offering a captivating experience for attendees. Artist Satya’s production, “Hello? Who is Speaking,” used sound and fragmented glass to delve into the layered meaning of ‘self.’

Addressing the pressing issue of climate change, the festival showcased mixed-media exhibitions at the Old PWD Complex. Exhibitions like “Time As a Mother” and “Roots to Resilience” highlighted the fragile relationship between humans and nature, providing unique perspectives on environmental challenges.

Serendipity Arts Festival 2023 also aimed to foster discussions on mental health, body acceptance, and loneliness through workshops, performances and plays. Notable projects included the play “Jump,” which sensitively addressed the topic of suicide, and workshops like “Hello Body” and “The Rhythm in Nothingness.”

In addition to commissioned projects, the festival partnered with institutions globally, weaving cross-cultural narratives and bringing forth diverse artistic creations. Noteworthy projects like “Pixel” and “Epicentre” showcased the intersection of technology, dance, and storytelling.

Ms. Smriti Rajgarhia, Director of Serendipity Arts Foundation & Festival, expressed delight in the collaborative success of the festival, emphasizing the role of culture as a diplomatic tool.

The 2023 edition of the festival featured over 150 events, showcasing the works of more than 1500 artists, with around 15 commissioned works and an exploration of diverse practices and artistic creations through a unique lens. This marked the 8th edition of the festival, with two digitally hosted editions in 2020 and 2021.

For more information about the festival, visit www.serendipityartsfestival.com.

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Following 2023’s major headliners the – likes of Arab stars, Bu Kolthoum and Saint Levant -audiences can expect another packed festival line-up, filled with not-to-be-missed acts in 2024. Big Hass, a Dubai-based hip-hop DJ famous for his electric sets, will return to the festival as emcee and show-runner. Sudanese fusion artists MarSimba will be back with their mix of Sudanese lingo and African beats, along with Lebanese duo RUST, comprising singers Hani Manna and Petra Hawi, known for their blend of traditional Arabic melodies and poetry with modern electronic beats.

2024’s edition of the festival invites visitors to take a fresh look at how they experience their weekends. Quoz Arts Fest 2024 hopes to tap into the inherent relativity of time with a unique and layered experience for every single visitor by creating unexpected stories, producing different rhythms, and curating playful displays.

Live performances at the weekend festival that promise to be crowd favourites include UAE-based Stick No Bills with their South Asian music remixed as DJ sets along with custom visuals; A Bharatham performance, choreographed by millennial artist Usha Jey as a hybrid between hip-hop and Bharatanatyam; and, Tanzanian-born performance artist Dipesh Pandya’s live performance and installation transforming a car into a sonic sculpture via spoken word specifically written in response to the Al Quoz neighbourhood and site where Alserkal Avenue is located. Amina will take to the stage with her intimate folk and pop-infused tunes, and the poetry and electronic music duo that form Chamæleon will perform spoken word that explores the intersection between the sociopolitical and the personal.

Concrete, Alserkal Avenue’s multidisciplinary exhibitions and events space, will host an interactive, ambient sound experience created by London-based Japanese artist Yuri Suzuki challenges our very preconceptions of natural and artificial forms via an eclectic arrangement of pipes and horns.

Music lovers can also look forward to the return of the popular Quoz Encore, which will showcase some of the country’s most promising homegrown emerging music acts. Musicians of all ages, genres, and languages, are invited to the platform’s Open Call for a chance to perform during the weekend festival. To participate, share a 1-minute live performance video and bio through the form here: 
https://form.jotform.com/233332856589468. The deadline for submissions is 31 December 2023 and auditions will take place in January.

Beyond the aforementioned creative concepts and live entertainment in Alserkal Avenue, Quoz Arts Fest also includes a series of collaborations, installations, and workshops with community concepts. 

Let’s not forget the mouth-watering culinary options from some of UAE’s most popular independent dining concepts available at the festival all weekend for visitor appetites.

Full programme information is available at https://alserkal.online/event/quoz-arts-fest

Festival attendees can book their full weekend access pass for AED 63 on Platinumlist at https://dubai.platinumlist.net/event-tickets/quoz-arts-fest. All proceeds from ticket sales are dedicated to the Quoz Arts Fest programme, supporting local and regional talent.

Quoz Art Fest’s supporting partner is MINI AGMC, and its e-commerce partner is Ounass.

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Dr. Mohammed Salem Obaid Al Mazrooei, Board Member of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Library, said: “This special evening is a significant cultural event that reflects our vision and strategy to promote culture and arts and enrich the cinematic and critical taste among community members. Short films are a vital platform that allows the expression of visions, ideas, and societal issues, and enhances discussion and critical thinking among the audience. This makes it a powerful tool for raising cultural and social awareness.”

AlMazrooei added: “Through this unique movie night, we also aim to highlight the beauty of cinema and offer an opportunity for our audience to expand their artistic horizons.”

During the Cinenight, the Mohammed Bin Rashid Library will screen four short films: Beneath the Wild Blue Sky, a documentary by Lebanese director Rola Shamas, A Bite of Bone, an animation by the Japanese director Honami Yano, The Box, an animation by the Slovenian director Dušan Kastelic, and Sprout, a narrative by the South Korean director Yoon Ga-eun.

The four films present unique experiences from different parts of the world. They take us on a journey of a man from Lebanon who strives to rescue a large white swan to become a part of his life, to Japan with a young girl contemplating memories of her father at his funeral, then to Slovenia where we discovery the fun of thinking outside the box through creatures that live inside a box, and finally to north Korea where a young girl begins her first journey to buy bean sprouts for her mother.

With a diversity in genres, the films range between documentaries, narratives, and animations, portraying a different perception of human experiences and personal stories that are suitable for all ages.

At the beginning of the event, the popular Emirati director Nawaf Al Janahi, will give a speech where he will discuss the short films that will be screened, and their role and importance in the local and international art scene. A Q&A session will also be held with Al Janahi at the end of Cinenight, for the audience to share their visions and ideas about the films.

Those who wish to attend this free movie night should visit MBRL’s website and register their attendance. The event is open for all ages.

The Mohammed Bin Rashid Library aims to enrich the cultural life of the public, and provide a platform for artistic expression, exchange of ideas, and cultural and artistic interaction in society, by providing major opportunities for the public to enjoy unique cinematic works by local and international directors and artists

Those who wish to attend this free movie night should visit MBRL’s website and register their attendance. The event is open to all ages.

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