Al Bader Festival and National Bank of Fujairah boost art scene with events
FUJAIRAH:UNDER the patronage of Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah, the first edition of Al Bader Festival — in the love of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) — will take place October 6-9 at the Fujairah Creative Center (the Ministry of Culture and Youth Centre, Fujairah), in commemoration of Mawlid, or Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) birth. The festival, which is held in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture and Youth, focuses on the biography of the Prophet (PBUH) and the morals and values related to him. It aims at reviving the cultural heritage of society, preserved and transmited through generations.the festival also aims to highlight Arab and Islamic arts through an accompanying art exhibition and workshops.
The exhibition will highlight winning works from the 2nd edition of the Al Bader Award. The artworks focus on the honourable life of the Prophet (PBUH). The edition includes four categories, namely, poetry, painting, multimedia and Arabic calligraphy. It carries a total prize valued at one million dirhams.
The Award aims at strengthening the connection of young people to their Arab and Islamic heritage, and celebrates the aesthetics of Islamic arts. It also aims to encourage talent to produce artworks inspired by the life of the Prophet (PBUH), to demonstrate his merits and the greatness of his morals, and to enrich Arab and Islamic culture through artworks.
Various heritage and music groups from the Arab world will present live performances on the Prophet’s (PBUH) Mawlid. They include Hadra Chefchaoueniya Troupe from Morocco; Al Nabulsi Troupe led by vocalist Noureddine Khurshid from Syria; Fujairah Maalad Group from the UAE and Al Burda Group from India.
The Indian celebrations will also include lectures from India’s Grand Muti Sheikh Abu Baker Ahmed and Sheikh Ebrahiem Al Khalil Al Bukhari. The workshops involve Arab and Islamic arts represented by Arabic calligraphy, Islamic ornamentation, drawing and printing.
The musical theatre production “For the Love of the Prophet (PBUH)” co-produced with Fujairah Fine Arts Academy features performances by Ornina Musical Group and by a selection of Emirati theatre stars and artists.the production has nine scenes and live performances that highlight the values of the Prophet (PBUH) and stories from his life and how they can be applied to our society today.
Throughout the world, there are a variety of expressions for the observance of the birth of the Prophet (PBUH). Some celebrations take place simply in private homes; other Muslims decorate their local mosque with lights and hold large festive gatherings. Celebrations include sharing food, atending lectures about the Prophet’s (PBUH) life and virtues, prayer services, participating in marches, reciting the Qur’an and devotional poetry.
Meanwhile, the National Bank of Fujairah (NBF) has announced the winners of its second annual art competition. Over 500 artists from across the UAE submited artwork, focussed on the theme of sustainability. Entries from hundreds of emerging and established artists from the UAE, were unveiled during an event held at the Capital Club, DIFC, which exhibited the top 13 artworks.
Shabir Ahmed Mir, artist and sculptor from Pakistan, secured the first position with his sculpture made from scrap aluminum, while Yousra Wahba, Egyptian visual artist took second place and Emirati artist Maitha Salman Bushelaibi, scooped third place.
In light of the overwhelming response, a further ten winners were also chosen to have their artwork displayed at the exhibition. The top three winners each received a cash prize and a mentoring session from a renowned art expert, and all 13 top artworks will have the opportunity to be displayed at a prominent art venue.
The theme of this year’s competition - “It All Starts With Me!” – was aimed to highlight and encourage individual actions to help protect the planet through the medium of art, as well as support NBF’S Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) agenda.
The selection of the winners was preceded by a judging session hosted by a prominent commitee that included Patricia Millns FRSA, Artist and Advisor Creative Industries; Khalil Abdulwahid, Director – Fine Arts, Dubai Culture and Arts Authority; Mara Fireti, CEO, Founder and Curator, Fireti Contemporary Gallery; Ahmad Al Rashid, Founder and Director, TALK Curated Creative Events; and Slava Noor, Founder and Editor of Arte & Lusso magazine.
Vince Cook, NBF CEO said: “We are incredibly proud to continue our commitment to supporting the UAE’S flourishing art scene, while also using art to highlight the importance of operating in a more sustainable way and reducing our environmental impact. In line with our Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance (ESG) agenda, this year’s competition enabled us to showcase the exceptional talent we have here in the UAE. We were so impressed by the level of creativity across this year’s entries.”
Now in its second year, the competition witnessed more than double the volume of entries received last year. NBF says it is excited to be able to support the burgeoning UAE creative sector, providing artists with a plaform to showcase their creativity, flourish and be recognised.
Incorporated in 1982, National Bank of Fujairah PJSC is a full services corporate bank with corporate and commercial banking, treasury and trade finance expertise, personal banking options and Shari’ah compliant services. It is listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange under the symbol “NBF” and has a branch network of 15 (of which one is an electronic banking service unit) in the UAE.