Cultural Highlights

There are books that speak loudly, and then there are books that whisper — gently, tenderly — yet leave an echo in the heart long after the final page. Whispers of Quiet Strength is one such book. The debut poetry collection by contemporary visual artist Shilpi Dabral is a soft yet powerful offering born from silence, lived moments, and deep emotional reflection. In this beautifully intimate collection, Shilpi invites readers into a quiet space — a place where feelings are ho

Faezeh Mohammed Hassan To mark the celebration of Chinese New Year, SHI unveils a special artistic collaboration with acclaimed Emirati artist Faezeh Mohammed, bringing together Chinese heritage and Emirati culture in a refined dining setting. In honour of the Year of the Horse, Faezeh Mohammed has created a series of bespoke artworks inspired by the strength, grace, and symbolism of the horse — an animal deeply rooted in both Chinese tradition and Emirati heritage. Represen

Book clubs are booming in Dubai. Books are everywhere — in Reels, in cafés, tucked beside cappuccinos and candles, peeking out of tote bags like accessories. Aesthetic? Absolutely. Aspirational? Of course. And I am all for it. But I worry when books become props instead of portals. At one club, pirated PDFs are passed around casually — sometimes by aspiring authors who joke, “When my book comes out, you better buy it!” At another, members are told not to bother reading at all