9- Heritage Restyled
cultural obsession with a previous past. The return of the popular Arabic children show ‘Iftah Ya Simsim’, which originally aired in the 1980s as an Arabised version of ‘Sesame Street’, is back with characters redefined as creative geniuses, scientists, researchers and sport stars in line with child aspirations today.
Adweek writes that, “For a generation that is afraid to fully embrace the commitment and responsibilities of adulthood, it’s the equivalent of a security blanket. It's been observed that it takes around 20 years for us to come to view some moment in the past with sentimental longing.” But for members of so-called Gen Z— those born in this century—this is more about unraveling the mysteries of a pre tech era, one symbol at a time.
Falconry - the national sport of the Gulf and even rite of passage for young Emirati men - is being refreshed to glamorise the sport for a young generation of Arabs. Earlier this year, Abu Dhabi hosted the second annual World’s Falcons Beauty Pageant, rivaling international beauty pageants of the human world. The majestic birds of prey were judged on attributes such as piercing glares, talon perfection, feather symmetry and sculpted chests one of the many ways seasoned falconers are trying to pique the interest of young Emiratis. Drones are now being used for training, and the sport is now an official part of the Fazza Championships, the Olympics-style competition of traditional local sports, which drew 7,000 participants last year, including 700 children under age 14.