The first edition of the Burda Festival, organized by the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development, was held yesterday at the 421st exhibition in Abu Dhabi, in the presence of HH Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Maktoum, Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, who attended the exhibition accompanying the Burda Festival, which includes works of art for the winners of the Burda Award at its 15th session.

The Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development, Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, revealed the ministry's first study of its kind in the Arab region using the "intelligence of the artificial squadron", with the participation of 30 experts from the culture and arts sector, and asked questions about how cooperation between the ministry and specialists in the field of artificial intelligence to develop policies And encourage initiatives to stimulate innovation, support creative experiences, and enrich global dialogue on the future of Islamic art.

Al-Kaabi pointed out that the results of the study will shape the future of the Islamic arts sector in the future. She explained during her opening speech at the festival that the most important of these results is the reference to the pivotal role played by financing technical programs in developing creative and artistic skills for young people.

The study predicted that the performing arts and visual arts will witness a greater growth in the Islamic art sector over the next five years, with the Ministry playing an important role in the development of these arts through the development of policies and legislation that support the artistic workspaces, provide talented people with the necessary training and develop government partnerships with artists and academics; Thus helping to build a wider and more knowledgeable Islamic arts audience.

Al-Kaabi announced the launch of the Al-Burda Grant to implement the results of the study and implement its recommendations in the form of sustainable initiatives and programs that embrace young creative potentials and the development of Islamic arts through artistic works in the fields of design, decoration and folklore. The grant will be presented to 10 artists from all over the world. To be assigned to the completion of works of art and presentation permanently to the public in specific locations in the state, a catalyst for community art, and create a movement of art known to the public forms of Islamic arts, and will do Burda grant programs of residency in the state, and attract skills and technical skills Mia.

The Minister of Culture pointed out that the interest in art and Islamic heritage is part of the UAE's cultural and human responsibility, which is reflected in the adoption by the UAE of the reconstruction and restoration of Al-Nouri Al-Kabir mosque and its Minbar Al-Hadba mosque in the Iraqi city of Mosul in an attempt to create a culture of life in return for a culture of death and destruction. One of the most important means of combating intellectual terrorism in societies.

Initiatives

For their part, participants at the opening session of Al-Barda Festival, which focused on discussing the future of Islamic art, stressed the need for joint action and cooperation among Arab countries to highlight the richness of the Islamic culture of art and creativity in various fields and the importance of involving youth in this matter. Through major projects and initiatives that address the entire world and show the tolerance and appreciation of Islam for art and beauty.

Sheikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, the head of the Bahrain Culture and Antiquities Authority (BIC), revealed Bahrain's idea of ​​dedicating a day to Islamic art in coordination with UNESCO, as part of its celebrations to announce the city of Muharraq as the capital of culture this year. , Pointing out that Islamic art is an integrated approach to work, and shows its manifestations in architecture and buildings and squares in various Islamic cities.

Al Khalifa pointed out that the ministries of culture are concerned with preserving all that represents the Arab and Islamic identity and dedicating its presence in society such as Al-Barda Festival, pointing to the importance of private sector participation in investment in the cultural sector and infrastructure.

Look into the future

The Egyptian Minister of Culture, Dr. Inas Abdalayem, called for stopping talking about the past, its glories and greatness, paying attention to the future and how to communicate with the younger generations who are distanced from the Arab and Islamic culture, stressing the importance of focusing on music when talking about Islamic arts and culture.

In her speech, she presented a number of recommendations aimed at supporting the Islamic arts. The most important of these was the creation of a pilot project that would bridge the gap between the eastern and western worlds, with the project bringing together the various Arab countries.

For his part, Minister of State Zaki Nusseibeh said that the "cultural diplomacy" that the UAE is keen on is a policy that has been in place since the beginning of the Union. The late Sheikh Zayed was the first cultural diplomat in the country when he went to the world and began developing a network of diplomatic relations Between different countries, which are not only based on mutual interests, but also on civilization, culture and ideals represented by the UAE.

Nusseibeh expressed the hope that the upcoming editions of the Burda Festival will not be confined to Abu Dhabi, but will be launched to other Arab and international capitals as a message of peace and tolerance from the UAE and from Zayed's heritage. He pointed to the UAE's cultural revolution, .

Zayed 's Message

Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development, Noura Al Kaabi, said that the Burda Award, which was founded in 2004, the year in which the late founder Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may God rest his soul, has departed to be the message of Zayed and his values ​​will continue the march of the late to promote the culture of love. Between different civilizations and peoples. "In the year of Zayed, we recall the bright lights of the founding father of the late Sheikh Zayed, and salute his heritage by preserving our heritage and identity, and inspired by his ambitious projects and initiatives that establish our country as a cultural center and a forum for art, culture and creativity. Now, 15 years after its launch, and at Zayed Centuries, we have decided to expand the award to be an integrated festival of Islamic culture and arts, with the aim of promoting youth participation and enhancing their association with their Arab and Islamic identity. "

Noura Al Kaabi:

"(Culture) conducted the first study of its kind in the region using (artificial intelligence squadron)».

Mai Al Khalifa:

«Islamic art is an integrated approach to work, and show its manifestations in architecture and buildings».

Zaki Nusseibeh:

«I hope that the next sessions will start to other capitals a message of peace and tolerance from the UAE».

Inas Abdalayem:

"The future and communication with the young generations that suffer from distancing themselves from the Arab culture should be paid attention to."