Opinion

The Sharjah Book Authority has officially announced the opening of submissions for the 2026 Sharjah Children’s Book Award—one of the region’s most respected platforms dedicated to children’s and young adult literature. The award aims to spotlight exceptional books that inspire young minds, spark imagination, and enrich the reading experience of children and teens across the Arab world and beyond. This annual award encourages writers, illustrators, and publishers to present wo

A powerful dialogue between identity, heritage, and artistic expression is arriving in Jeddah this November. From 06 November 2025 to 06 January 2026, Novotel Jeddah Tahlia will host “Where Do You Come From…?”, an exhibition organized by ZeeArts Gallery that shines a luminous spotlight on Arab women artists and the cultural stories that shape them. Following its successful first edition in the Netherlands, this second installment comes to Saudi Arabia with renewed purpose: to

Dubai witnessed a vibrant celebration of the 54 th UAE National Day as Art4you Gallery successfully hosted a unique Camel Live Art Celebration on 23 November 2025 at Mehromah Art House. The event brought together a diverse group of artists who created live artworks on specially crafted camel-shaped wooden sculptures, transforming a national symbol into powerful visual stories of heritage, unity, and pride. The camel, a timeless emblem of Emirati resilience, journey, and dese

Dubai-based Serbian author and multidisciplinary creative with PhD in Literature, Ana S. Gad announces the release of her new children’s fairytale, Sara and the White Dragon , a gentle and empowering story whose heroine is a young girl with Down syndrome. Centering a child with a disability as the brave savior of her community, the book invites children and adults alike to rethink what true strength, courage, and beauty look like. The Arabic edition of the book was published

Passionate About Storytelling, Enamored with Reading, and Infatuated with Travel Ashraf Aboul-Yazid: “My Creations Are Worlds of My Thoughts, Open for Readers to Visit” — For the writer, poet, and translator Ashraf Aboul-Yazid, the diversity of his literary output is like a river branching across a journey—watering a field here, nurturing a garden there, or moistening a single rose in a pot on a distant balcony. He began his literary career as a poet, publishing his first col

On 14 December 2025, the Kismet Art Café will host a transcendent evening of creativity and culture with its final gallery event of the year: Art of Bosnia. Curated by the Emerald Network, this showcase promises to be a luminous celebration of spiritual aesthetics, cultural memory, and artistic mastery. A Fusion of Tradition and Contemporary Expression The featured collection, titled "Echoes of Divine Beauty," brings together a compelling mix of Islamic calligraphy and abstra

On December 13, 2025, at 7:30 PM, the international community of Dubai is invited to witness a cultural event of historic significance: the first official performance of Franz Schubert’s Die Winterreise ever presented in the city. This landmark recital will take place at the House of Pianos, in collaboration with Steinway & Sons, and will feature the acclaimed bass-baritone André Angenendt and distinguished pianist Margarita Ryzhenko. Together, they will bring to life one of

Spirit of the Union: An Emirati Celebration Through Art The Cultural & Scientific Association in Dubai is preparing to mark the UAE’s 54th National Day with a special celebration titled «عـ54ـاماً متحدون»  (54 Years...United). On Monday, November 24, 2025, at 7:00 PM , the Nadwa headquarters in Al Mamzar, Dubai , will open its doors for an evening that brings together heritage, creativity, and the collective pride of a nation. Among the Emirati talents contributing to the exh

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has announced the inclusion of the late Emirati poet Ahmed bin Sulayem in its special commemorative programme for the celebration of anniversaries for the years 2026–2027. This significant recognition places one of the UAE’s most influential Nabati poets on an international platform dedicated to celebrating cultural figures who have shaped artistic and intellectual heritage. Marking 50 Years Since H

Dubai witnessed a sophisticated celebration of minimalism and luxury as Art4you Gallery, led by curator Jesno Jackson, presented the international exhibition Monochrome Majesty – The Dialogue of Black, White, and Gold at Mehromah Art Gallery. The showcase highlighted the timeless interplay of these three powerful hues, unveiling how artists from around the world interpret harmony, contrast, and symbolism through contemporary creative expressions. Held on November 5th, 2025, t

There are launches, and then there are moments—moments when a book ceases to be just paper and ink and instead becomes something alive, pulsing with history, spirit, and ancestral resonance. At this year’s Sharjah International Book Fair, Her Highness Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi offered exactly such a moment with the unveiling of her new work, Let Them Know She Is Here : Searching for the Queen of Mleiha . This was not a ceremonial presentation. It felt like a recla

Dana Awartani The Saudi Arabian Pavilion has officially announced the selection of acclaimed artist Dana Awartani  as the Kingdom’s representative at the 61st International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia , set to take place from May 9 to November 22, 2026  in Venice, Italy. This prestigious appointment highlights Awartani’s evolving artistic practice, which explores the intersections of heritage, identity, tradition, and contemporary expression. Known for her deep e

Rawa'a Al Tartour When did your journey in fine art begin, and what first inspired you to pursue it? I have loved drawing since childhood and was often recognized for it at school. But when I was fifteen, I truly began to fall in love with fine art and started following artists on social media. Hyperrealist artists were my greatest inspiration at first, and that same year I began teaching myself how to draw hyperrealistic portraits, training myself on proportions, shading, an

Music lovers across the UAE are in for an unforgettable experience this December. The legendary composer and performer Goran Bregović is bringing his energetic rhythms and soul-stirring sounds to Dubai Opera on December 10, 2025, at 20:30. With a career spanning decades, Bregović has become one of the most iconic figures in world music. His concerts are more than performances—they are celebrations of life, unity, and emotion. Blending traditional Balkan folk music with contem

In the ever-evolving world of fine dining, where flavor meets finesse and tradition blends with innovation, one name is rising above the rest—Danijela Tešić. Born in Serbia and now based in Dubai, Danijela has been named the best sommelier in the Middle East by the Tatler Dining Guide UAE, a distinction that reflects not only her expertise but also her remarkable journey across continents and cultures. A Unique Expertise in Sake Unlike many sommeliers who focus solely on wine

The House of Philosophy in Fujairah hosted a remarkable evening of poetry and thought titled “In Poetry and Philosophy” , organized by the Arab Poetry Department  in collaboration with the House of Philosophy . This event marked the first cooperation of its kind between the two institutions, aiming to enrich the intellectual and literary life of the Emirate of Fujairah. The symposium gathered an impressive lineup of poets and thinkers: Dr. Ahmed Burqawi , Dean of the House of