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HISTORY & TRADITIONS - CULTURE
Fourth season of top Nabati competition to highlight best Arab poets
posted on 11/01/2010
 The fourth season of Arab top Nabati competition "Million's Poet" has gained the attention of international media and internet users since it was launched live on December 16 on Abu Dhabi TV. The competition organised and produced by Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH) dedicated to preserve one of the ancient Arabic forms of poetry and highlight the best Nabati poets in the Arab world.
A survey on the famous search website Google showed that more than 11,800.000 search results are available on the "Million's Poet" in Arabic though only four episodes has been broadcast live, while 4 millions search results are available in English , in addition to thousands results in other languages.
The total search result on the popular show on the internet is more that 16 million pieces of information, press releases and reports in deferent languages.
On the other hand, the largest Arab poetry competition has grabbed the attention of many international news websites whether it is interested in poetry, entertainment, culture or even financial matters in deferent languages such as English, French, Germany, Italian, and Spanish in addition to Arabic.
Finance.yahoo.com quoted Mohammed Khalaf Al Mazrouei, Director General of (ADACH) who said "The competition emphasizes the great effort of the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage in promoting Nabati poetry by highlighting the role of Abu Dhabi and its vision to embrace this poetry and the transfer of cultural achievement to the whole world to reach every Arab in the various parts of the world," The show presents 48 poets, carefully selected by a panel of experts on Nabati poetry (dialect poetry), from thousands of applicants after a six-week tour of the Arabian Gulf countries with contestants from all over the Arab world.
AKI, the Italian daily news service, noted that the show has made major changes in the Arab poetry scene since it was lunched four years ago; "it is notable that the show helped reorganize and sort out the Nabati poetry scene in a unique way based on public voting by poetry lovers what made the show a very important point for million of poets" Contestants in the competition are judged using a mixture of jury votes, live audience votes via the in-theatre voting pods and SMS voting throughout the weeks. The Millions' Poet who wins first place will receive an increased grand prize of Dh5 million (US$1,362,000), second place will be awarded Dh4 million (US$1,090,000), third place Dh3 million (US$817,000), fourth place Dh2 million (US$545,000) and fifth place Dh1 million (US$ 272,000).
However, GotPoetry.com, the popular network of performance poets and poetry readings, described the competition as an "exciting journey to the top poetry title and the 5 million UAE dirham prize has started in a hot competition between the best 48 poets in Arabia".
Itnews.it, wrote "Contender's poems were powerful and some showed a strong ability to renew the traditional forms of Nabati poetry. Most of them were given a high percentage rating by the theatre audience; none of them gained less than 50 percent The poets will battle it out, seeking to impress the jury and the audience with their poetic skills, in the hope of making it through to the grand final".
Foxbusiness.com cared a full story of the launch of the competition which was described "hot" in its first phase which started live last December featuring some of the top poets in the region.
Earthtimes.org, a leading news website, reported that the kick off of the show was successful and the qualified poets in the first phase are ready for the second phase of the competition broadcast live on Abu Dhabi TV every Wednesday evening from Al Raha Beach Theatre.
The competition also dragged the attention of some leading financial news website such as: wallstreet-online.de, Bizjournal.com and Road Runner news website in the US.
Germany top news website also reported on the thrilling show such as presseecho.de,finanznachrichten.de, resseportal.de, newsmax.de and openpr.de. - Emirates News Agency, WAM
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Saadiyat is capitals new cultural hot spot
posted on 22/11/2009
 The official opening of an exhibition of contemporary art yesterday heralded the arrival of Saadiyat Island as the capital's cultural hot spot.
Manarat al Saadiyat, which translates as "the lighthouse of Saadiyat is the first of the island's galleries and opened with an exhibition called Disorientation II.
The opening was conducted by Sheikh Sultan bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, the chairman of Abu Dhabi's Tourism Development and Investment Company, the body responsible for the exhibition together with the Sharjah Art Foundation.
The curator, Jack Persekian, gave Sheikh Sultan a tour among a crowd that included dignitaries and well-known names from the art world, including the artist Jeff Koons, the Swiss curator Hans-Ulrich Obrist, and Jessica Morgan, the curator of London's Tate Modern.
"It's brilliant, said Mr Persekian, best known in the region for his role as the artistic director of the Sharjah Biennial. "I've been working here closely for months and I can't believe how it's all come together.
The exhibition, which runs until February, is made up of mixed-media work from 16 different artists exploring political, social and cultural themes from the Arab world over the past 40 years.
Visitors yesterday walked among watercolours and sketches by the late Ali Jabri and a vast rubber floor map of Beirut, created by the Lebanese artist Marwan Rechmaoui and entitled Beirut Caoutchouc.
Some ventured into a small booth by the Egyptian artist Hala Elkoussy, called On red nails, palm trees and other icons. Inside they found 300 photo images of Cairo, along with several videos of changing life in the city. Others sat silently watching Massaker, a documentary shot by the German filmmaker Monika Borgmann about the Sabra and Shatila massacre of 1982.
"It's exciting, said Mr Koons, standing near a series of 13 photographs by the Palestinian artist Tarek al Ghossein. "I was here in March when there wasn't even a building here so it's great to see it together, he said.
"Art is all about connections, Mr Koons added, discussing the increasing importance of the Middle East to the international art world. "It's a wonderful space to have for cultural dialogue.
The gallery is the first part of Manarat al Saadiyat to open. When finished, the site will house three more galleries and a theatre in a 15,400 square-metre space in the heart of the island.
Visitors to the centre were pleased that the capital had finally received its own permanent art space, and said they particularly enjoyed the exhibition's political themes. "It's impressive, said Matthew Booth, 26, a teacher from the English College in Dubai.
Mr Booth was taken by a diorama that depicted Palestinian poverty and Israeli wealth: "You're seeing it through the eyes of the artist, rather than just yourself or through the papers.
He said the exhibit would give needed space to Arab artists. "I suppose in the West, we wouldn't always take it from the idea of the Arab side, he said. "I think this is reality. It's nice, in general, to have this culture here and to be able to go spend an afternoon in a museum.
Hind al Yousef, 24, an Emirati, agreed. "It's amazing this kind of thing is here in Abu Dhabi, she said. "I love these pieces. They're extremely powerful.
Hesham Lotfy, 29, an accountant from Egypt, said he was just passing through Saadiyat when he decided to explore the Manarat with his wife and infant daughter. "I found this place by accident. There has been no advertising about it. There needs to be some advertising, some campaign, he said
On display outside the hall until the end of the month is Art Cars, a showing of classic cars owned locally and painted by Emiratis. The National
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Belgian Crown Prince hands ISO certificates to Ministry of Culture
posted on 01/11/2009
 As part of his visit to the UAE, His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Crown Prince of Belgium, handed over the Integrated Management ISO Certificates 9001 and 14001 as well as OHSAS 18001 to Afra Al Saberi, Executive Director for Institutional Supporting Services at the Ministry of Culture, Youth '&' Community Development.
Granted to the Ministry by the Belgian Association, the event was attended by Mr. Anick Van Calster, Belgian Ambassador to the UAE, and held at the Abu Dhabi Hilton Hotel.
On this occasion, Afra Al Saberi, said: "I am honoured to receive the ISO certificates from His Highness Prince Philip, Crown Prince of Belgium as it symbolizes an addition to the achievements of the Ministry of Culture, Youth '&' Community Development. His Excellency Abdul Rahman Bin Mohamed Al Owais, Minister of Culture, Youth '&' Community Development, continuously follows up the works of the ministry's sectors and holds regular meetings with the employees to maintain development and guarantee integration among the members of the society".
Al Saberi indicated that the ISO certificates are the road to the customers' services and achieve contentment among the clients of the ministry. The certificates will also raise the standards and performance of the ministry's employees, achieve required efficiency, raise the production operations and increase the services of the ministry.
"This great accomplishments was due to continuous efforts over 18 months hence all the remarks and following up of the Belgian association have been taken into consideration.
"The three ISO certificates enable the ministry to improve its relationship with the clients, develop self evaluation and encourage the employees to follow accurate review procedures. Maintaining employees' occupational safety and health procedures through the integrated management system guarantees the safety of customers, employees and visitors. Finding a suitable job environment also enables us to eliminate papers' usage and encourages their recycling in order to avoid interior and exterior harmful environments", Al Saberi concluded.
The Ministry of Culture, Youth '&' Community Development started the procedures over 18 months beginning with the internal auditing procedure followed by internal and external supervision by the Belgian Association. The auditing procedures were held at the ministry's premises in Abu Dhabi and Dubai in addition to the cultural centres in Ras Al Khaimah, Al Fujairah and Umm Al Qaiwain as well as the national theatre in Abu Dhabi.
The third stage witnessed the remarks of the association to the ministry. The Ministry of Culture's plan aims for developing and improving its procedures coinciding with international managerial systems in order to provide its services to the its clients and members of the society. Based on a timeline, the ministry's strategic plan also stipulates the importance of continuous auditing every six months after obtaining the integrated management system. - Emirates News Agency, WAM
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Mohammed Bin Rashid opens Cultural Centre in Abu Dhabi
posted on 22/10/2009
 Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum opened in Abu Dhabi today the Cultural Centre. The newly opened Cultural Centre is the redesigning and restoration of the old National Theatre by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Community Development.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum accompanied by HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and HH Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, unveiled the commemorative plaque of the Centre.
They toured various wings and hallways of the Centre, including the Al-Burda Hall, which tells the history of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) through poetry, art and calligraphy. He then visited the museum hall, which showcases artefacts collected from national museums allowing the visitors to capture a glimpse of the national heritage and archaeological sites that enrich the country.
HE Abdul Rahman Mohammed Al Owais, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development briefed Sheikh Mohammed on every piece of archaeological collections.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid also toured the Hall of paintings, sculptures and murals, which includes fine works of art by artists and painters from UAE. - Emirates News Agency, WAM
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Owais heads UAE delegation to 6th Islamic Conference of Culture Ministers
posted on 14/10/2009
 Baku - Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development Abdul Rahman Mohammed Al Owais is heading the UAE delegation to the 6th Conference of Culture Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) which started in Gulustan Palace today in the Azeri capital Baku.
A roundtable was held on the sidelines of the conference on the theme 'the Baku Path: new challenges to Dialogue between Civilizations'.
Ministers and deputy ministers from over 45 countries and representatives of 18 international organizations are attending the event. The conference will last till October 15. Chairman of Caucasian Muslims Office, Sheikh-ul-Islam Haji Allahshukur Pashazadeh, Culture and Tourism Minister Abulfas Garayev, Director of Culture and Cultural and National Heritage at the Council of Europe Robert Palmer, ISESCO Director General Abdulaziz Othman Altwaijri and others are participating in the conference.
In a communiquι issued at the end of the roundtable, the ministers of culture in the OIC countries emphasised the need to work to explore new approaches to achieving alliance between civilizations, dialogue among cultures and new opportunities for cooperation between countries. - Emirates News Agency, WAM
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OIC announces Sharjah as Capital of Islamic Culture for 2014
posted on 14/10/2009
Baku - Ministers of culture of the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) have accepted nomination of Sharjah as capital of Islamic Culture for the year 2014 in recognition of remarkable contributions made by H.H. Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council member and Ruler of Sharjah, under the instructions by UAE President H.H. Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai H. H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, for preserving, promoting and disseminating culture at local, Arab and Islamic levels.
Sharjah was named capital of the Islamic culture at the sixth conference of OIC ministers of culture which got underway yesterday in the Azeri capital Baku under the auspices of President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev.
H.E. Abdul Rahman Mohammed Al Owais, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development and head of the UAE delegation, spelled out the UAE vision and stances towards Islamic causes and cultural issues.
Al Owais congratulated Sheikh Sultan on the glorious occasion, saying "the new title provides a boost to Sharjah cultural development march and comes as a tribute to Sharjah's offer of its Islamic cultural panorama in the form of a host of cultural and Islamic events.
"The new cultural achievement crowned Sharjah for its leading cultural role at local, regional, Arab and international arenas, the UAE minister added.
The conference also announced Baku as capital of Islamic culture for 2009.
First Deputy Prime Minister of Azerbaijan Elchin Efendiyev read a message from President Aliyev to the meeting in which he said. "Declaration of Baku as the capital of Islamic Culture for 2009 is a high assessment given to the rich history and culture of our country.
"Our country always welcomed the support of member countries of the Organization of the Islamic Conference. I believe the details of topical issues of the Islamic culture will be discussed at the conference and it will determine new ways of development of cultural cooperation between our countries and peoples".
About 25 ministers, 11 deputy ministers from over 45 states, representatives of 18 international organizations are attending the conference which will last till October 15. - Emirates News Agency, WAM
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Ministry of Culture approves strategic plan
posted on 04/10/2009
 The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Community Development has approved its strategic plan for the year 2010 after a long meeting which was attended by the H.E. Abdul Rahman Mohammed Al Owais, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development, executive directors and heads of department.
The meeting discussed a number of ongoing initiatives, activities, programmes, events and training workshops throughout the year. The ministry's operational plan emanated from the federal government's strategic plan which included several accomplishments to be achieved by the year 2010 in terms of achieving the goals and ambitions of Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai H. H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum for culture and at the same time setting up rules and regulations for protecting local cultural heritage through cooperation of local authorities and UNESCO.
"The Ministry is very keen to organise several programmes and activities inside and outside the UAE with the aim of disseminating UAE culture and acknowledging the world within the history and culture of our country, the minister said. He added that "participating in international festivals and exhibitions reassures the positive role of the ministry during the past two year and also encourages the ministry of foreign affairs and UAE embassies abroad to participate in our events.
"The Ministry is also preparing for translation, composing and publishing a number of translated books by the year 2010 that will indeed witness great progress in several fields, he explained.- Emirates News Agency, WAM
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Argentine Tango, Chinese Dragon Boat Fest may get
into UNESCO heritage list
posted on 01/10/2009
 Centuries-old traditions from around the world are, from today, being protected under the UNESCO wing, as the international organisation's ongoing conference in the capital started evaluating the finalists to be accepted on its intangible heritage list.
"Before lunch time, we went over 37 elements and they were all accepted, said Dr Ismail El Fihail, head of the Research Department at the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage.
"Among them are the Argentine Tango and the beautiful Colombian carnival, Dr El Fihail told Khaleej Times.
The tango, practised from Central America to Abu Dhabi itself, came to being in the 19th century on the streets of Buenos Aires and Montevideo, the capitals of Argentina and Uruguay. Its musical style originated among European immigrant populations living in those cities. Considered the most sensual dances of them all, the tango spread to Europe in the early years of the 20th century, then to the USA.
The styles also diversified, the best-known ones being the original Argentine tango and the ballroom tango.
Arising out of native Andean and Hispanic traditions, the Carnival de Negros y Blancos (Black and White Carnival) in San Juan de Pasto in south-western Colombia is a great celebration lasting from December 28 to January 6 each year. It begins with the Carnival of Water the throwing of water in homes and on the streets to initiate a festive mood. On New Year's Eve, the Old Year's parade takes place, with marchers carrying satirical figures representing celebrities and current events, and culminating in a ritual burning of the passing year. The main days of the carnival are the last two, when people of all ethnicities don black cosmetics on the first day, then white talcum on the next to symbolise equality.
Another form of expression added to the UNESCO Representative List is the Chinese Dragon Boat Festival, celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month by several ethnic groups throughout China. A memorial ceremony offering sacrifices to a local hero is combined with sporting events such as dragon races, dragon boating and willow shooting, which is one of the main features of the festival.
Having all these customs and traditions included on the Representative List means that the authorities of China, Argentina and Columbia, as well as all other countries whose intangible heritage activities are inscribed on the UNESCO safeguarding list, have to protect, promote and generally pay money and attention to these traditions. Those in need of financial support will receive it from UNESCO and this, in fact, is also on the discussion agenda in the Abu Dhabi fourth UNESCO Intangible Heritage Committee session.
The conference will continue in Abu Dhabi until Friday, when all 76 finalists will be discussed.
According to Dr El Fihail, there is no limit on how many of them will be accepted or not. It all depends on how well they made the case for themselves. Khaleej Times
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UAE strengthening communication among civilizations, openness to the cultures of humanity: ADACH Chairman
posted on 29/09/2009
 The capital of the United Arab Emirates brought today together representatives of 114 countries who are on the membership of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Heritage of Humanity.
The committee which is chaired by Awadh Ali Saleh Al Musabi (United Arab Emirates started discussions to inscribe the first elements on UNESCO's List of Intangible Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding and on the secondary Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Intangible heritage which is also knows as living heritage includes traditions such as dance, storytelling, poetry, games, craftsmanship and rituals that have been passed down for generations providing communities with a sense of identity. 12 applications from eight nations for cultural items to be included on the "urgent safeguarding list are being under consideration by the committee along with the Representative list of 111 nominations seeking to protect cultural practices that are at less at risk of dying out. The two lists identity urbanisation, globalisation and the growth of mass media as contributing to the communities' gradual loss of their culture-specific know-how, rituals and traditions.
The UAE making a bid to inscribe the traditional sport of falconry in the UNSECO's secondary list next year , 2010. The UAE is also seeking to get international recognition for its traditional dances "Al-ayala" and "Al -ahaala". Al-Ayala is an emarati dance which is still regularly performed at national ceremonies and weddings. A similar version "Al-Ardaa" is still performed in other regional countries. Al- ahaala, however, is unique to the UAE and is performed with no musical accompaniment.
In the opening speech of the meeting, Sheikh Sultan Bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH) and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA), paid tribute to "remarkable efforts" undertaken and still being carried out by UNESCO to make the common human culture a bridge to this convergence and harmony among members of the international community." He conveyed to the participants the greetings of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and his sincere wishes for pleasant stay in their second country, the United Arab Emirates and its capital Abu Dhabi, and for success in achieving the objectives of this meeting.
Sheikh Tahnoon also lauded the UAE's leaders who have inherited from the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan (may God rest his soul in peace) "wisdom and balance in dealing with regional and international issues, and constructive interaction with international organizations and bodies that contribute to strengthening the communication among civilizations, and openness to the cultures of humanity." The UAE, he added, "puts heritage at the forefront of all plans and strategies to open the way towards greater good and giving to our dear nation, and all mankind." ADACH, in collaboration with the UNESCO and the main partners concerned with heritage; the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Community Development, the Ministry of Education (through the representation of the National UAE Committee for UNESCO), the culture and heritage clubs and many others, are all keen to implement such plans and strategies, he noted.
Ms Fran oise Rivi re, UNESCO Assistant Director-General of UNESCO and other speakers at the opening ceremony expressed deep gratitude to the UAE for its hospitality and generosity in hosting the 4th Session.
The Committee will also select programmes, projects and activities that it considers best reflect the principles and objectives of the Convention. The Committee hopes to use this register of good practices to raise public awareness of the importance of intangible heritage and the need to safeguard it.
The 4th Session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Heritage of Humanity will run to 2 October and will see input from over 400 cultural experts, around 50 regional bodies and non-governmental organizations Ko chiro Matsuura, the director general of UNESCO, is expected to address the meeting's closing session on Friday, according to UNESCO. Emirates News Agency, WAM
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UNESCO meet in Abu Dhabi to discuss intangible heritage list
posted on 28/09/2009
 As many as 114 countries, which are signatories to Convention to Safeguard the Intangible Heritage, will attend the fourth conference of UNESCO's Inter-governmental Committee to Safeguard Intangible Heritage, which begins in Abu
Dhabi today.
Also present at the five-day conference will be representatives of more than 50 societies, regional associations and non-government organsiations.
The meeting will discuss the nomination for UNESCO's Intangible List of World Heritage.
"The hosting of such a crucial meeting is the epitomisation of ADACH's efforts since 2003, in collaboration with UNESCO and other organisations concerned with the intangible heritage, said Mohammed Khalaf Al Mazrouei, director-general of the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and
Heritage. The cultural authority had, in 2005, launched its own strategy for safeguarding, managing and promoting the cultural heritage of Abu Dhabi.
"This meeting under the chairmanship of the UAE, will discuss many of the issues concerning the intangible heritage, especially the expansion of the world's register of intangible heritage to include more elements in the representation list, and the activation of the 2003 convention to safeguard the intangible heritage after the signatory countries finish their national register of such heritage elements, added Al Mazrouei. Khaleej Times
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