Dubai Culture launches Tolerance Tour

Tuesday 19 March 2019
Dubai - MENA Herald:

Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), the Emirate’s dedicated entity for culture, arts, heritage, and literature, announced the launch of its ‘Tolerance Tour’, in collaboration with Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding (SMCCU) and Tamashee Experience.

The tour was launched on the sidelines of the ninth edition of SIKKA Art Fair (SIKKA), which was inaugurated by Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice Chairman of Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, on 16th March and will continue until 24th March at Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood.

Hosting SIKKA at Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood was one of the main elements that attracted Tamashee, the high-end Arabian Gulf footwear brand and supporter of social causes that positively influence societies. This collaboration helps further the message of SIKKA’s ninth edition, themed ‘An Open window to Art and Tolerance’, highlighting the values of co-existence, freedom, and cultural diversity in societies. It is also in line with the annual national theme of Year of Tolerance , which showcases one of the noble values that form the foundation of the UAE community.

Walid Ahmed, Head of Dubai Art Season Committee, commented: “The addition of the Tolerance Tour in this year’s edition of SIKKA comes within a new series of diverse events we have planned. It aims to highlight tolerance as a real-life embodiment of the theme of SIKKA, while also allowing us to introduce artists and visitors to the major landmarks at Dubai Historical District, and the accepting vibe that it imparts to the Emirate.”

The inaugural Tolerance Tour saw the participation of Walid Ahmed, SIKKA visitors and artists, as well as a group of media professionals and visitors. Now open to visitors, the 3-hour walking tour will feature multiple stops along Al Fahidi Historical District and the old Bur Dubai Souq, as well as an enjoyable Abra ride to Dubai’s spice market.

For his part, Abdullah Essa Al Serkal, Director of SMCCU, said: “Tolerance, respect and understanding formed the bedrock on which we built to successfully achieve our wise leadership’s vision. Since 1998, SMCCU has worked to champion cultural and social tolerance through its different initiatives, projects and activities, particularly the ‘Open Doors, Open Minds’ programme.”

Mohammed Kazim, co-founder of Tamashee, said: “Tamashee's research about the layers of the peninsula's culture has revealed tolerance to be an important part of the regions social fabric. In Dubai this tolerance is further exemplified in the population demographic, architecture, food and fashion. Our tour aims to touch upon these interesting and beautiful components".”

The tour highlights ‘social tolerance’ through the diverse ethnicities that visitors can meet in the historic city. Through ‘tolerance in design’, artists and participants in the tour will learn more about the universal influences reflected on architectural and fashion designs, as well as about the products, materials, colours and other elements that distinguish Dubai as a city. As for ‘religious tolerance’, the tour will offer insights on many religious sanctuaries spread in Dubai and their role in shaping its identity and strengthening the cohesion of its community.

Visitors can also enjoy exploring the wide variety of foods and beverages that Dubai offers from different cultures,  bringing out the aroma of spices and flavours used in local dishes. It also underlines different elements across old markets, while allowing participants to satiate their palates with local cuisine.

The Tolerance Tour will now be organised on 21st and 24th March with each tour limited to 14 people. The tour will launch from SMCCU at 5:30 pm and conclude at 8:30 pm.

The ninth edition of SIKKA Art Fair, the flagship event of Dubai Art Season, brings together 48 regional artists commissioned to develop their artistic research around the theme ‘An Open window to Art and Tolerance’.

SIKKA helps discover emerging Emirati, UAE-based and GCC talents, as well as empower them by providing an ultimate platform to showcase their work amongst a diverse audience, both locally and internationally, in line with Dubai Culture’s mission of boosting creative industries.

For the first time this year, SIKKA will offer two distinctive but intertwined experiences: SIKKA by Day, celebrating the Al Fahidi tenants, the neighborhood and their art exhibitions and installations; SIKKA by Night, hosting multiple cultural activations brought together by some of the most dazzling operators and individuals within the local creative scene.

Running from 16th to 24th March 2019, SIKKA’s activities are held in the heart of Historic Dubai, Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, from 10:00 am – 10:00 pm. For more information on bookings and the Tolerance Tour programme, please visit:https://www.sikka19.com/

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 civilizations 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.

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