Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), has officially commenced the tenth edition of Dubai International Arabic Calligraphy Exhibition (DIACE), themed A heritage honouring the letter and the pen, at Wafi, Dubai. The exhibition, which runs till 5th May, serves as the concluding event for the sixth edition of Dubai Art Season (DAS), the annual flagship art initiative of Dubai Culture.
Marking the UAE’s national annual observation of the Year of Tolerance, this year’s edition is laced with more giving and creativity, celebrating Arabic as a language of compassion that reflects the harmonious spectrum of different cultures, coexisting in the UAE. It celebrates the art form that highlights the aesthetic appeal of the written word and showcases the sophisticated manifestations of Islamic art and culture, through a collection of works by accomplished international calligraphers.
Through 38 specialised workshops on modern, classic, and decorative calligraphy, along with a number of insightful panel discussions, the exhibition offers visitors a chance to explore Arabic calligraphy, its different styles, and profound elements, with an aim to promote the cultural and social identity of the entire region.
His Highness AbdulRahman Bin Mohamed Al Owais, Chairman of Dubai Culture, said, “Over the years, Dubai has strengthened its position on the global art and culture map, and has emerged as an incubator for cultural industries, thereby bolstering Dubai’s creative economy. From preserving its rich history to integrating the latest technology into its social fabric, all developmental elements of the emirate have created an enabling environment for creative activities to thrive and drive us towards becoming a knowledge-based economy.”
His Highness AbdulRahman Bin Mohamed Al Owais, added, “DIACE is an effort to support and promote the use of the Arabic language and expand its scope of use. It shines a spotlight on the magnificence and the diversity of artistic styles that this art form represents. Moreover, the exhibition encourages cultural exchange among artists from around the world, creating an interactive platform to gain in-depth knowledge and understanding about the art of calligraphy, while celebrating the value of tolerance. This year, the number of participants has increased, reflecting the success of its previous editions. Events like DIACE promote strategic partnerships related to culture and arts, between the UAE and other countries.”
Dubai Culture aims to enhance Dubai’s cultural scene and draw attention to the UAE’s rich heritage. The Authority’s mandate is to build bridges of constructive dialogue between different civilisations and cultures to enhance Dubai's position as a creative and sustainable global city for culture, heritage, arts, and literature, with the aim to empower these sectors by developing creative and innovative projects and initiatives locally, regionally, and globally.