UAE Culture
Introduction
Cultural identity in the UAE is a rich blend of traditional Arab,
Islamic and contemporary eleme nts.
Following the foundation of the state and the increased availability
of educational opportunities private and public cultural centers and
libraries began to spring up around the country, helping to promote
cultural awareness and assisting in the preservation of the countrys
rich heritage. The main objective of the Ministry of Information and
Culture is to promote and support the country's cultural activities
at home and abroad. The Ministry has under its administration 11 public
libraries throughout the state's seven emirates. This is in addition
to 30 cultural groups, which perform dance, drama and music during
festivals, exhibitions and ceremonies in the UAE or held outside the
country. The Ministry's Cultural Department also plays an important
role, publishing books related to heritage, culture art and theatre,
organizing lectures, seminars and other cultural activities and participating
in international book fairs. The Ministry 's Exhibitions Department
participates in international exhibitions which serve to introduce
the UAEs rich heritage to a global audience.
Cultural Organization
Prominent cultural centers and organizations are: the Cultural Foundation
in Abu Dhabi, the Cultural and Scientific Fo rum in Dubai, the Department
of Culture and Information in Sharjah, the Fujairah Cultural Organization,
the Studies and Archives Center in Ras al-Khaimah, and the Juma Al
Majid Center. Significant too in the promotion of cultural activities
are annual awards such as the Sultan Al Owais Award, the Sheikha Latifa
bint Mohammed bin Rashid Award and the Sheikha Fatima bint Hazza Award.
Other institutions which continue to make meaningful contributions
to cultural awareness include the National Heritage Revival Organization
and the Marriage Fund.
The Cultural Foundation in Abu Dhabi is made up of three major institutions,
the Arts and Culture Establishment, the National Library and the National
Archives. Recently, the Center for Documentation and Research, which
was originally part of the Cultural Foundation, has transferred to
the Presidents Office. The National Library contains a large
collection of books known as the Gulf and Arabian Peninsula Library,
a significant collection of manuscripts and an online database. Its
publishing section has in recent times been very active, issuing a
wide selection of books on science, art, heritage and historical subjects.
There is also a section for the production of compact discs, audio
and videocassettes of selected programmes and publications.
In Dubai the Culture and Scientific Fo rum has organized a number
of cultural activities, i ncluding
the annual Rashid Award which honors UAE graduates with distinctions
in various subjects. Sharjah has a wide range of cultural institutions.
Notable among them is the Department of Culture and Information which
organizes the annual book fair in November. It also organizes annual
cultural and technical festivals for children and the Sharjah Arts
Biennial, an international event which attracts artists from all over
the world.
Other cultural events include the Sharjah Award for Arab Creativity.
In recognition of Sharjah's outstanding role in promoting Arab and
Islamic culture the emirate was chosen by the Arab League as the Arab
City of Culture in 1998. In Fujairah an active cultural role is being
played by the Fujairah Cultural Organization with the assistance of
lectures and seminars. The Ras al-Khaimah Studies and Archives Center
is another institution whose cultural role in the country cannot be
over emphasized. The center aims to present to the world the true
picture of the Arabian Gulf and its history, a target also set for
the Abu Dhabi-based Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research
(ECSSR) which specializes in the analysis of local and international
issues.
To consolidate the drive for cultural awareness among the country's
youth a number of sports and cultural clubs were set up in addition
to newspapers, magazines, radio and TV channels which enriched the
artistic and cultural life of the community. Substantial capital investment
has also been made in establishing state-of-the art museums, as well
as renovating and conserving historic monuments and sites.
Emirates Center For Strategic Studies
and Reserch
The ECSSR, founded in 1994, has the biggest specialist library in
the country and has produced a large number of books on subjects such
as politics, economics, defence, science and environment. In particular,
the ECSSRs efforts in conducting dialogue and analyzing political,
economic and social issues pertinent to the UAE, the Gulf and the
Arab world, were highlighted in the center's annual book released
in December 1998. The center attracts a wide range of specialists
who are assigned to study and analyze issues of vital importance to
the state and to propose possible strategies to manage such issues.
The ECSSR's aim is to promote global exchange of ideas and it welcomes
association with like-minded institutions around the world. The center
also aims to develop the analytical and research skills of UAE nationals
so that they will be equipped to manage the ever increasing complexities
of the future. To achieve its goals the ECSSR has held conferences,
hosted academic gatherings and encouraged scholarly research in the
four years since its inception.
The center is also establishing an electronic database that will
serve as a comprehensive source of information on issues of importance
to the Gulf region.
Museums and Heritage Villages
The UAE has a wide range of museums and heritage villages which provide
a fascinating introduction to its traditional lifestyle, offering
a host of authentic experiences, such as an evening sitting around
a campfire drinking gahwah (Arabic coffee) while a camp guide describes
bedouin crafts and customs. Other
experiences capture the ancient techniques and traditional culture
associated with village life, boating and pearl diving through reconstructions
of dhows, old souqs (marketplaces), winter settlements and date gardens.
Several of the emirates magnificent old forts house museums
full of items of archaeo-logical, natural history and ethnographic
interest. Here too, one can find vivid reconstructions of town and
country life. Other purpose-built museums use the latest interactive
media to tell the story of the countrys ancient past or illustrate
the wonders of nature. Audio-visual displays, computer games and scaled
models of ancient settlements have all been utilized to interpret
the past and the present.
In Dubai and Sharjah, whole streets have been restored to their former
glory. Particularly interesting in terms of vernacular architecture
are windrowers which are designed to catch even the slightest bre
eze and funnel the cooler air down to the court y a rd houses, providing
the visitor with first-hand experience of this early form of air-conditioning.
Narrow streets wind between white-washed walls, with copper-studded
wooden doors giving access to shaded courtyards and traditionally-furnished
houses.
Zayed Prize For Heritage and History
A recent development in the move to preserve the countrys heritage
is the creation of the Zayed Prize for Heritage and History. This
is to be awarded for outstanding research conducted by individuals
or establishments on the heritage and history of the country. The
award has an important role to play in highlighting local and Islamic
heritage and researchers are urged to pay attention to the documentation
of heritage through seminars and conferences.
Theater Institute
The Sharjah Higher Institute for Theatrical Arts (SHITA) was officially
opened in March 1999 by HH Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi,
Ruler of Sharjah. The first of its kind in the UAE, SHITA was set
up by Dr Sheikh Sultan during the Eight Sharjah Theatre Days
1998 in an initiative to enhance the local theatrical movement
Located at the Arts Square in Old Sharjah, the new building includes
two theatres seating 280 and 250 people respectively and also comprises
a library, an administrative section and other services.
Sheikh Mohammed Center
The Sheikh Mohammed Center for Cultural Understanding, an institution
for the introduction and presentation of Arab culture, was formally
inaugurated in March 1999. The unique project, under the patronage
of Dubai Crown Prince and Defence Minister General Sheikh Mohammed
bin Rashid Al Maktoum, aims to familiarise expatriates with various
facets of local culture. The Center will conduct familiarization and
Arabic language courses as well as lectures on Islam, in addition
to guided tours to local homes and places of worship. It will also
house a comprehensive library, gift and book shops, a café
and a large meeting room.
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