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H.E Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa President of Bahrain Authority for Culture & Antiquities (BACA) has taken part in Al Burda Festival held at Warehouse421 in Abu Dhabi’s Mina Zayed on 14 November 2018. UAE Deputy Premier, Minister of Interior, HH Lt-Gen Shaikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Her Excellency Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Knowledge, as well as and media personalities and a number of experts in the fields of Islamic arts, architecture and heritage were present.

Commenting on the importance of this cultural festival, H.E Shaikha Mai said “ The Emirati cultural scene is fervently rich and positively vivid, which pleases us very much to take part in, especially here in Abu Dhabi, a place where art is generated from the special authentic and genuine universal heritage of the country. Al Borda Festival reflects the true commitment of culture officials to introduce and promote the Islamic art, which occupies a large amount of admiration and interest on the world map”. H.E added “We’ve succeeded recently to consecrate a special world Islamic Art Day , an event which is considered an example of how Islamic arts should be showcased and how the international community should bestow the necessary attention and interest”.

In the opening session, H.E also talked about the future of the Islamic art and the role of government and private institutions in promoting cultural projects to turn them into reality. H.E also expressed delight in taking part in the event that reflects keenness of the UAE cultural sector’s officials to introduce the Islamic art to the world.

Worth to mention that the opening ceremony started with a panel discussion by H.E Zaki Nusseibeh, a UAE Minister of State, H.E Dr. Ines Abdel Dayem, Egyptian Minister of Culture. Then discussions covered topics such as the development of audiences for Islamic art, the inculcation of skills, and the adaptation of digital technologies for new forms of Islamic expression. The Al Burda Festival also hosted a global conversation on the future of Islamic art. The program below highlights the presentations, performances, and exhibitions that will be on show. Workshops are facilitated training sessions held in collaborative environments. Workshops offer their audience the possibility to explore new challenges related to experimentation in Islamic art and culture. live performances throughout the day, some of the most accomplished musicians and artists from the region.