Emirati “nabati” (vernacular) poetry was for many years initially spoken among a close-knit group and disseminated widely by word of mouth across the Arabian Peninsula by scholars and poets alike. However, with the arrival of newspapers in the early 20th century and advent of technology such as the radio and television in the mid-20th century, a wider audience gained access to this ancient art form that relies on a strong command of the Arabic language as well as quick-witted creativity and passion. Read more »
The National
Sheikh Mohamed’s Qatar visit shows the potential for regional convergence and integration
Stronger ties between the two nations will help the Gulf withstand growing pressures in an uncertain world. Read more »
Why art history is being rewritten and what it means for Arab artists and the region
Experts discussed the shadow of the western canon and how to bolster important regional names at the Culture Summit Abu Dhabi. Read more »
English is gaining ground in the Arab world – at Arabic’s expense
With each passing year, the decline of spoken Arabic is only growing. Steps are being taken to preserve it, but this continues to be an uphill battle. In this article, Sultan Sooud Al Qassemi argues for the importance of globalising and modernising without losing our language. Read more »
A pilgrimage to remember Iraqi artist Jewad Selim
In this article Sultan Sooud Al Qassemi profiles Jewad Selim, who was a central figure in Iraq’s 20th century cultural scene, responsible for some of the country’s most important post-revolution art. Read more »
The UAE’s J Curve
Successful nations are born of hard sacrifices made to attain giant leaps. In the world of finance, a J Curve is a trendline in which an initial loss is immediately followed by a dramatic gain. In this article, Sultan Sooud Al Qassemi discusses this phenomenon as it relates to the formation of the UAE. Read more »