ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates — Abu Dhabi’s annual Al Hosn Festival is set to make a spectacular return this year, with the culturally-rich, 10-day program from Nov. 25  to Dec. 4 at the renowned Al Hosn site.

Organized by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), the festival will feature an engaging program of performances, art installations, film screenings, culinary experiences, crafts and design.

A key component of the UAE’s cultural calendar, the festival celebrates the UAE’s heritage and craftsmanship and connects them with the contemporary art practices of the emirate. The festival also aligns with the vision and mandate of DCT Abu Dhabi to protect, preserve and promote the emirate’s heritage, as the event showcases Abu Dhabi’s cultural scene and provides a platform for artistic experimentation and public engagement.

Saood Al Hosani, Under-Secretary at DCT Abu Dhabi, said, “Al Hosn is a symbol of the emirate’s rich history and a source of enormous pride for our people. This annual festival serves as the ideal platform for celebrating our vibrant Emirati heritage and creative, innovative contemporary art scene. We invite the community to come and experience a stimulating programme of cultural activities for all ages, which allow them to reconnect with the past, understand where we have come from, and look forward to the future.”

A series of activities centred around Emirati heritage, storytelling and artisanal crafts will take place around Qasr Al Hosn and House of Artisans. Visitors will be able to experience the daily life at Qasr Al Hosn during the 1950 and 1960s with the ‘A Day in The Palace’ exhibition, which will showcase pictures, audio testimonials, and interactive elements to depict the traditional life of Qasr Al Hosn and portray scenes from the daily life of the Fort.

Elements of Abu Dhabi’s intangible heritage will also be celebrated at House of Artisans through demonstrations of Emirati craftsmanship and artisanal techniques. Visitors will be able to indulge in immersive experiences ranging from sensory tours to creative stations for photography.

The journey will continue through the “makers village”, which will feature artists and designers from local and regional concept stores, fashion designers, trendy brands and culinary outlets. Open-air film screenings will take place throughout the festival, programmed by ImageNation Abu Dhabi, as well as the much-anticipated second edition of the Gahwa Championships. Visitors of all ages will also enjoy a variety of creative workshops, including a coral sculpture session and an Arabic calligraphy masterclass from the Bait Al Khatt centre.

Lastly, the cultural journey will end with some contemporary artistic expressions, which will interpret the ever-evolving urban landscape of the emirate, which is rooted in rich cultural heritage and identity. Other cultural concepts will also be featured, including an installation by Cyril Lancelin, founder of Town and Concrete.

The visual arts program of the Cultural Foundation will continue to portray the evolution of Abu Dhabi, from its traditional past to its modern and contemporary expressions. Three exhibitions will be on display: Mohamed Chebaa and The Casablanca Art School; Al Mujamma, an interactive archival installation encapsulating the memories of the UAE community; and Food for Thought: Thought for Change by Rasheed Araeen.

Cultural Foundation will also present a special performing arts programme in its indoor and outdoor theatres, featuring renowned musicians and artists. Additionally, interactive installations and workshops will be available at the Courtyard and the Children’s Library.

Building on the success of the Classic Cars Exhibition, which took place at its first edition in 2019, the festival will open with a parade of 50 classic cars, in celebration of the Golden Jubilee of the United Arab Emirates.

Al Hosn is the city’s original urban block and comprises the historic Qasr Al Hosn Fort, the Cultural Foundation and the House of Artisans. Al Hosn is emblematic of the proud cultural heritage of the UAE, bringing to life the rich fabric of its history, people and traditions and highlighting the city’s future ambitions. (WAM) 

AlUla – Saudi Arabia: AlUla, home to Hegra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of the oldest cities in the Arabian Peninsula is set to welcome its first signature fine-dining restaurant. English Chef and restaurateur Jason Atherton, who owns and runs three-Michelin-star restaurants across the world, has recently opened Maraya Social.

The restaurant is located on the rooftop of the iconic-mirrored building with 360-degree views of stunning rock-strewn valleys and canyons of the Ashar Valley.

Jason Atherton said, “My team and I are so impressed by the natural beauty, history and culture of AlUla. I jumped at the chance to be one of the first permanent fine-dining venues in AlUla and be part of the exciting progress in the Kingdom. The beauty of the Ashar Valley, the native produce and the iconic Maraya architecture are all the ingredients we need for what is sure to be a sought-after destination dining experience.”

“AlUla has an amazing diversity of produce unique to the region and an incredible history and culture which I am excited to explore both in the landscape and in the menu,” said Chef Atherton.

Reflecting the architecture of Maraya and complementing the natural beautify of AlUla, the open-plan design puts comfort first featuring bespoke furniture and soft fabric materials including silk, cotton and rayon with colors that reflect its environment. The restaurant offers relaxing yet vibrant atmosphere during the day, and by nights, it will be low-lit to create an unforgettable dining experience under the bright stars.

The menu is sourced from seasonal fruits, vegetables and locally produced ingredients and features a selection of sharing plates, served with high-quality mocktails. The menu is designed to share and create a social environment for diners.

Maraya Social will be the newest addition to Jason’s portfolio of international restaurants and his first venture into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The restaurant will receive reservations through the website.

Phillip Jones, Chief Destination Management and Marketing Offices, Royal Commission for AlUla also welcomes the new addition to AlUla’s dining scene.

“Maraya Social is set to be a destination restaurant for Middle East and the world. We are delighted for AlUla to be the home of Chef’s first restaurant in Saudi Arabia. AlUla presents a unique opportunity both in terms of the historical setting as well as the untapped pantry of produce and flavours.” “With new international and home-grown food and beverage brands flocking to AlUla this winter, and an exciting calendar of events, the opening of the Maraya Social complements our strategic plans to boost AlUla’s tourism infrastructure and become a favorite boutique cultural destination for visitors from the Kingdom and beyond,” said Jones.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates –The Netherlands celebrated its Expo 2020 National Day on Wednesday this week, with a visit by the Dutch monarchs, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima, accompanied by a packed program of cultural highlights and the formal opening of the Netherlands Pavilion.

They were welcomed by Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, General of Expo 2020 Dubai.

King Willem-Alexander praised the UAE’s falcon-shaped pavilion: “It features a quote by [His Highness] Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the first president of the United Arab Emirates. The message is, and I quote, ‘Unity is the way to strength, honour and the common good.’ I wish this country, which is celebrating its Golden Jubilee this year, a future filled with strength and honour.”

Sheikh Nahayan said: “The Netherlands’ theme, ‘Uniting Water, Energy and Food’ brings to our attention some of the most critical Sustainable Development Goals, and highlights the importance of an integrated approach to find sustainable solutions for issues like water scarcity, food security and the energy transition. The unique pavilion showcases innovative technologies and solutions to these global issues, and it aims to leave no carbon footprint behind, using local materials and reducing the need for transportation. After Expo 2020, the building materials of the pavilion will be repurposed or recycled locally.”

Sheikh Nahayan explained how the UAE and the Netherlands will continue to work together, partnering with the Netherlands and Jordan as co-hosts of the Water, Energy and Food Summit, in January 2022.

Also in attendance was Tom de Bruijn, Foreign Trade and Development Minister, who is leading a trade mission to the UAE based on sustainable development, involving almost 50 Dutch companies and Hans Sandee, Commissioner General of the Netherlands at Expo 2020 Dubai and Consul General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Dubai.

Sandee said: “Being a part of this Expo provides us with the perfect platform to allow the Netherlands to connect with Dubai, the UAE and the rest of the world, uniting people, knowledge and ideas, while promoting the best innovations and sustainability projects the country has to offer, especially in the fields of water, energy and food.”

The flag-raising ceremony was followed by a cultural performance featuring the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra and Dutch singer-songwriter Hind Laroussi.

Located in the Sustainability District, the Netherlands Pavilion has its own climate system; and produces its own water from the desert using solar power. In addition, it features a 17-metre tall cone which is a vertical farm, supplying a variety of produce including mushrooms. The fungi form part of The Netherlands’ food and beverage offering, and can also be used in building materials for floor and wall tiles.

One of the cultural highlights of the day was ‘Airman’ by Another Kind of Blue, the multimedia dance group. With members originally from the Netherlands – who have appeared on both Britain’s Got Talent and America’s Got Talent – the show features shadows, projections and motion capture, combining dancing with the use of drones for an uncanny visual effect, and a startling unison of man and machine. Visitors to Expo had three opportunities to catch the performance during the National Day at DEC, Hall 2A South.

‘Strandbeests’, the walking skeletons made from yellow recycled electricity pipe by Dutch artist Theo Jansen, which patrol the Expo site at various times in the day, once again made an appearance in honour of the Netherlands’ National Day.

The Netherlands Pavilion also hosted events to tie in with its Youth and Economic Programmes, with guest speakers and members of the Dutch business community as well as young entrepreneurs.

National and Honour Days at Expo 2020 Dubai are moments to celebrate each of the event’s 200-plus International Participants, shining a light on their culture and achievements. (WAM)

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Global Village, the UAE and wider region’s leading multicultural family destination for culture, shopping, attractions and entertainment, begins its month-long UAE National Day celebrations on the 50th Flag Day of our Nation.

Partnering with Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum International Photography Award (HIPA), Global Village launches the 50 Years of Togetherness photography contest. The competition is designed to create a collection of photographs exploring shared identities and values through the lens of individuals with a unique vision of cultural diversity. Starting on Flag Day until the UAE National Day on 2nd December, the contest welcomes submissions celebrating multiculturalism, diversity and tolerance from amateur and professional photographers alike.

Participants must be over 18 years of age and those using professional cameras are required to apply for a permit on the Global Village website. All entries must be uploaded on HIPA’s website.

Commenting on the partnership, Ali Bin Thalith, Secretary-General, HIPA, said, “Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum International Photography Award is pleased to collaborate with Global Village, for their fiftieth National Day celebrations of the UAE, with the launch of an exciting photography competition. The UAE is one of the leading countries in the world that promotes multiculturalism, diversity and tolerance, and Global Village with its unique attractions, appeal to all nationalities locally and internationally.”

“In line with the vision of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Chairman of Dubai Executive Council and Patron of HIPA, we are continuously spreading the culture of photography and the essential role it plays in promoting diversity and coexistence in today’s modern world. We invite all amateur and professional photographers to join this exciting competition and submit their photographs representing the theme ‘50 Years of Togetherness’ in this unique destination that welcomes everyone. We wish you all success.”

Beyond winning a HIPA photography contest the 1st Prize winner will receive a AED50,000 cash prize and a gold trophy, the 2nd Prize winner will receive AED26,000, a silver trophy and a Global Village goodie bag, the 3rd Prize winner will receive AED26,000 and a glass trophy. The Top 10 runner ups will receive Global Village Experience Packs, including Entry Tickets and Wonder Pass cards. The contest will close on National Day, 2nd December. The Winners will be announced on 4th January in an award ceremony at the Global Village Main Stage.

Bader Anwahi, CEO at Global Village, said, “50 Years of Togetherness celebrates the strength and beauty of the UAE’s inclusive spirit, where modern living, prosperity and technological innovation are born from cultural harmony and creativity. We are honoured to collaborate with Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum International Photography Award for this unique photography contest featuring three interweaving themes – multiculturalism, inclusion and open mindedness. The jury will be looking for exceptional images and a strong narrative illustrating the wonder that is created when different cultures join together as one.”

Global Village hasn’t forgotten the younger shutterbugs either. Photographers under the age of 18 will have their own social media contest with the same theme. To enter young photographers simply need to upload images illustrating “50 years of togetherness” on Instagram using hashtags #GVWOW and #Together between 3rd November and 30th November. Winners for the children’s contest will be announced on 2nd December, the UAE’s National Day. The jury are looking for participants who push their creative boundaries by capturing spectacular, split-second moments and introduce viewers to fascinating people and unique cultural perspectives at Global Village.

Numerous other events and activations will be revealed throughout the month including the Dubai Cultural Authority UAE Quiz on weekends through every Thursday and Friday of the month and some very special guest performances from 1st – 4th December. (WAM)

“I have been involved in the food industry since I was a kid, thanks to my father’s business. To be honest I tried to be a football player, but in the end I wasn’t so good,” Chef Jesús Gibaja Pérez, who hails from Mexico City, tells Dubai Vibes Magazine.

“I chose the culinary arts because of my grandmother’s influence. When I was a child, I would spend a lot of time watching her cook, and she was a great storyteller; she’s tell stories about the transformations of her ingredientes. 

“She was always talking about stories of her trips with my grandfather and that expanded my imagination. She talked about flavors, smells and experiences. Thanks to her, I found a place in the kitchen and grew to be a storyteller through the ingredients I discovered,” Chef Jesús said.

Chef Jesús, who has been in Dubai for just the past few months, have worked in San Sebastian, Spain; Philadelphia, USA; Buenos Aires, Argentina; and Osorno, Chile. 

He went to culinary school at Colegio Superior de Gastronomia and the Centro Culinario Ambrosia in Mexico.

“After finishing college, I had the opportunity to travel to the north of Spain and made a professional stage in Arzak, San Sebastián Spain (3 Michelin stars restaurant) for two seasons and then I stayed working as chef de partie. 

“Then I traveled to the east coast in the US, where I worked in the first six months as chef de partie in Park Hyatt Philadelphia and then I became sous chef in the XIX century restaurant of the same venue.

“After that, I returned to México. Suddenly, my journey changed 360 degrees when I was invited for the first time to be involved in cooking TV shows. I have made different cooking TV shows, but the most successful was The Kitchen of the Magic towns that allowed me to travel for more than six years all over México cooking and showing the greatness of Mexican gastronomy,” said Chef Jesús. 

He has the record for the most content hours in a cooking TV show in Spanish in the world.  “A member of the Academie Culinaire de France invited to be part of the Mexican Gastronomy Council in 2015. I was the Executive chef for Cantina La Piedra in the Polanco neighborhood in México city. I’ve also been the Executive chef at Mia Tulum and now here in Dubai,” he said.

Looking back, Chef Jesús said he has learned life lessons. “If you lose the passion for what you do, then it isn’t worth it. And also the results are never going to be the same. Be humble, be open to learning, break patrons, cook with love, be disciplined and force yourself to go further. Look for challenges.

“Cooking is an expression and one of the strongest chains for human beings. Through the food and table, a lot of different things happens like business, love, change of moods, reconciliations, nutrition, proposals, happiness, calm, joy and so on.  

“A dish should be so important to allow people to be seated at the table and share and shouldn’t be ever more important than human relationships created through the food.” 

The seasoned chef said cooking is a discipline based on science and oriented to create art because as human, “we don’t only cook to satisfy hunger but to satisfy our senses in different ways.”

When he is not busy, Chef Jesús tries to find time with the guitar and some sports like tennis and football.

Catch him at Seva Table along Jumeirah Beach Road, where he delights customers with his creations.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates:   France is proud to announce that more than 315,000 visitors have visited the France Pavilion in October. The fast-queue system is working at its best and the waiting list never exceeds 10 minutes, in respect with the sanitary conditions taking place. 

Guests can also enjoy for the month of November jam-packed Rural and Urban Development themed activities. 

The France Pavilion is inviting guests to photo walks, masterclasses, projection of short films, panel discussions, and keynote speeches to celebrate Expo’s theme week. In addition, visitors can also expect the new temporary exhibition by Chalhoub Group, ‘French art de vivre, a dream to share’. 

To know more and about the France Pavilion Rural and Urban Development week, please check the agenda here.

“I love the variety in my life, the people I meet, discovering new places here in the UAE and further afield, the enthusiasm for life that my children have and genuinely feel like life is just getting better as I get older,” Helen Farmer tells Dubai Vibes Magazine. 

Hailing from the United Kingdom, Helen has been in the UAE for nearly 15 years. 

“I loved growing up in the UK,  but have been in Dubai since I was 24, and the city has been incredibly kind to me. It’s where I built my career, met my husband and where our children were born. 

“Working in radio is hugely exciting and it is invaluable to many, especially during the course of the pandemic when we need connection, information and community. Personally, I’ve been on a bit of a fitness journey over the last three years, and recently summited Kilimanjaro, which was a life-changing trip,” she says. 

Mount Kilimanjaro is Africa’s highest peak at 5,895 meters (19,340 feet). The majestic mountain is a snow-capped volcano.  

Asked about her life philosophy, Helen, who studied Broadcast Journalism at the university, said: “Everyone has something to teach, and we can learn from everyone we meet.”

Helen is part of Gap Middle East’s “Come As You Are” Campaign, which features four of the region’s most inspiring women.

She said she joined because she is a “firm believer in inclusion and representation.” 

“Raising daughters has made me particularly tuned into the ethos that you can’t be it unless you see it, so this campaign has been inspiring to be part of, and to those who see it.”

Her advice?  “You’re never too old to try something for the first time.”

How about plans? “I have no plan! But that’s exciting. Who knows what’s next?” 

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates — Air Arabia Abu Dhabi has announced the introduction of a new service to three destinations in India starting Nov. 3, as part of its ongoing plans to cater to travelers needs from Abu Dhabi.

Abu Dhabi travelers will be able to fly to Cochin, Calicut and Trivandrum. The new service represents the 15th route for Air Arabia Abu Dhabi since the launch of the carrier’s service from Abu Dhabi International Airport in July 2020.

Customers can now book their direct flights between Abu Dhabi and the announced destinations by visiting Air Arabia’s website, by calling the call centre or through travel agencies. (WAM)

Dubai, United Arab Emirate — Emirates has announced that it will reintroduce flights to Algiers, Algeria starting November 9. Flights from Dubai to Algiers will operate twice a week.

The resumption of flights to Algiers boosts Emirates’ African network to 21 destinations, and represents a full restoration of the airline’s operations into North Africa.

With the easing of travel restrictions, and the acceleration of passenger demand, the airline is advancing its plans to expand its presence across Africa, and will operate 116 weekly flights into the continent with the addition of Algiers. Customers flying to and from Algiers can safely fly to Dubai and enjoy convenient onwards connections to Europe, the Middle East, the Americas and West Asia.

Emirates will operate to Algiers with two weekly flights on Tuesdays and Thursdays and the return flight to Dubai will be linked with Tunis. EK 757 will depart Dubai at 0930hrs, arriving in Algiers at 1400hrs. EK 758 will depart Algiers at 17:00, stopping in Tunis at 18:20. The flight will continue to Dubai, taking off at 19:20 from Tunis, arriving in Dubai at 3:55 the next day. (WAM)