SEE, LISTEN AND LEARN
After cuisine, one of best ways to learn about culture is through its clothing. You can learn all about the evolution of traditional Emirati women’s fashion at the exhibition of Dr Reem Al Mutwalli’s private Emirati thawb (gown) collection. The exhibit (below) is on display at Robinsons department store in Dubai Festival City Mall until June 22 and explores intricate dressmaking techniques, materials, embroidery and styles in the UAE, spanning five decades during the reign of Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, from 19662004. The collection includes kanduras that feature hand-embroidered verses inspired by the poems of Shaikh Zayed. Copies of Dr Reem’s book Sultani: Traditions Renewed, Changes in UAE Women’s traditional dress during the reign of Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan
Al Nahyan (1966-2004) will also be available to buy at the store; visit sultanibook.com.
The St Regis Dubai is hosting UAE-based artist Art Noor’s Fragrance of Faith exhibition until July 2. The paintings (right) are the artist’s interpretations of life and spirituality. They are inspired by Art Noor’s original 99 Names of Allah series and each painting has a meaning.
The Dubai Mall is marking Ramadan with a special exhibition called 9HIJRI spread across the mall’s atriums. The month-long exhibition (above) celebrates the Golden Ages of Islam and its contribution to the region’s civilisation with nine zones that pay tribute to scholars and master craftsmen – the Design Zone explores how Islamic craftsmen turned geometric patterns into architecture, the Film Zone will screen a hand-picked selection of short films by leading Arab and Muslim directors on Islamic identity, culture and life, the Literature Zone will unravel the evolution of Arabic literature through storytelling and poetry recitals for adults and children by authors Alia Al Shamsi and Omar Ghobash and the Numeric Zone will honour the contributions of Islamic mathematicians such as Al Khwarizmi, Al Kindi and Al Misri, to algebra and the concept of zero. From 10am-3am throughout Ramadan.
Want to learn more about Emirati culture and traditional Ramadan customs? Head to the inaugural edition of Ramadan Evenings at Manarat Al Saadiyat from June 4-17. Organised by the Tourism and Culture Authority (TCA) Abu Dhabi. You’ll get to savour an iftar of Emirati cuisine, oud recitals by Bait Al Oud musicians every Friday, traditional crafts and workshops on skills such as Talli embroidery and Sadu weaving. Other activities include board games, vintage video games, an interactive puppet show and a Ramadan souq. Daily from 7.30-11.30pm; visit abudhabievents.ae.