20 UAE cultural touch

What a decade we have witnessed. Remember Blackberrys? And the Harlem Shake? Oh, and Snooki? Of course the last ten years have also brought unprecedented global social upheaval and a dramatic re-focus on the world’s climate, but you have to hand it to those Blackberrys - they went from everyone’s gadget of choice to absolute obscurity in the blink of an eye. What a feat. In the UAE, where change is encouraged perhaps more so than anywhere else, we have been fortunate enough to see countless developments as the months have ticked by, so we thought we’d share a few of our favourite cultural markers, which made our 2010s so memorable. Here’s to an even bigger 2020s.

November 2010: The Impossible dream?

As a sign of Dubai’s burgeoning Hollywood ambitions, the world’s most recognisable film star, Tom Cruise, is spotted hanging off the side of the world’s tallest tower, The Burj Khalifa, shooting scenes for Mission: Impossible’s fourth instalment - Ghost Protocol.

November 2011: Yas-terday April 2012: Comic relief January 2011: Live and let Dubai

Latest James Bond author Jefferey Deaver attends the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature to reveal his book’s title, Carte Blanche, and explains how the plot sees 007 arrive in Dubai for a thrilling escapade.

May 2013: Love yourself

This pint-sized pop sensation is already creating controversy for his tardiness, given the kid audience have school the next day, though it is one of those teenage fans who actually goes on to take the headlines. While sat at the piano on stage at the Sevens Stadium Dubai, Justin Bieber is confronted by a young man who rushes the singer for an ultimately unsuccessful hug attempt.