Culture officials affirmed that creative cities are based on combining the original cultural heritage of parents and grandparents, at the same time being open to different cultures of the world, and respecting difference in all its forms. Stressing the importance of giving creators real opportunities to benefit from their creativity, and providing an incubating environment for creativity and innovation, with its excellent education, flexible laws and legislations, and smart infrastructure in an integrated system.
His Highness Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Head of the Department of Municipality and Planning in Ajman, pointed out that as the world’s progress increased, it became smaller, comparisons increased, and the expectations of community members increased to obtain best practices and services, and therefore officials must be open to various experiences in the world, And work to implement them, and benefit from them in order to develop society and achieve more prosperity for its members. Noting during the opening session of the cultural camp organized by the Ministry of Culture and Youth, which was held the evening of yesterday, remotely, under the title "Transformation to Creative Cities", and moderated by the Minister of Culture and Youth, Noura Al-Kaabi, that the UAE was able to attract residents of 200 nationalities From different parts of the world, and it must reflect this cultural pattern in all the activities it offers to the world, and that everyone has the ability to think outside the familiar and traditional.
He added: «In order to continue the development of society, we must preserve our identity and values, and to communicate with the international community and benefit from it, without abandoning our principles or ignoring our history. It may seem difficult to educate our children to adhere to the values, customs and traditions in light of this openness the world is witnessing, but it is not impossible. ”
Sheikh Rashid Al Nuaimi touched on the Heritage Neighborhood project in Ajman, which includes old stories that he tells for new generations and tourists, and aims to consolidate the principles and values of Emirati society since ancient times, and at the same time it represents a modern tourist destination, and spaces to provide cultural programs for all sectors of society. He added: “The heritage neighborhood tells the story of our ancestors who protected the house and ruled it with wisdom and justice. Hence the sculpted idea (Libra), which adorns the field, and was inspired by the artist El Sayed from the verses of the late poet Rashid bin Thani. We give the wolf a right to a scale. ” He pointed out that the work in the commercial area of the neighborhood, under the directions of His Highness Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Ajman, has reached the final stages, and it is scheduled to be ready for the opening next September.
Zayed's legacy
The head of the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism, Mohammed Al Mubarak, defined creative cities as cities that possess a spirit, and give opportunities to creators in various fields. The more these opportunities increase, cities and their culture rise, indicating that this definition is derived from the approach of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. May God rest his soul, who took care of the local culture and worked to promote it, while opening up to the world. Pointing out that Saadiyat Island, with its cultural projects, represents a reflection of the Emirates cultural strategy, as the island takes the visitor in a historical cultural path from the old to the modern, starting from the Brahimi House, Zayed National Museum, and then the Louvre Abu Dhabi, which cares about world civilizations, and the Museum Guggenheim specializes in modern arts, indicating the values of tolerance and openness to civilizations and cultures throughout the ages and inspiring their experiences, and at the same time adhering to customs and traditions, which is represented in the Zayed National Museum, which celebrates the history of the ancient and modern Emirates, and the material and moral heritage, poetry, history and importance to sheikh Zayed. The presence of Berkeley University in Saadiyat also reflects the state’s interest in education, and in providing the best educational institutions for the children of the Emirates and their residents.
Dubai is the first creative city
The Director General of the Culture and Arts Authority in Dubai, Hala Al-Badri, stressed that the choice of Dubai as the first creative city in design in the Middle East, within the "UNESCO" network of creative global cities, did not come from a vacuum, but rather is the fruit of cooperation and interaction of all sectors, a achievement that can be built upon And support it through several axes, including inventory and identification of local and global needs in this sector, study of consumption patterns, inventory of the outputs of the creative sector, and encourage it to open up to global trends of supply and demand.
On the project of developing the Al Quoz Creative Region, Al Badri explained that it comes within the new Dubai cultural strategy, because of the importance of the region as a vital center that has gradually grown, and was able to attract artists, sports fans and creators in Dubai. She added: “Under the guidance of Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Head of the Culture and Arts Authority in Dubai, we spoke to the creators in the Al Quoz area to learn about their needs, and we found that they are different, including the provision of residential areas close to their workplace at an appropriate financial cost, and creating An integrated system, bringing together designers, creators and manufacturers in this place, providing opportunities for cooperation and work together, sharing creative resources, establishing joint technical studios, and creating an attractive environment for investment in the region, along with providing a station that provides various government services in one place to facilitate procedures, And the development of flexible policies to help the growth of cultural blocs ».
Sound approach
The CEO of Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), Marwan Al-Sarkal, explained that Sharjah won many awards, such as the Arab Cultural Capital 1998, the Islamic Cultural Capital in 2014, the Arab Tourism Capital in 2015, and a book capital in 2019, proves that the UAE is going to A steady and sound pace, as culture is seen as an essential pillar of development and development, and an important component of the Emirati economy. Pointing out that Sharjah’s obtaining these awards is due to its efforts in reviving the Emirati heritage, upgrading local occupations and industries, and opening up to international experiences in this field. Al Serkal reviewed aspects of the prominent cultural projects launched by Sharjah to represent the infrastructure of cultural areas in Sharjah, foremost of which is the Heart of Sharjah project that aims to revive the old Sharjah, transforming the site into a center for events throughout the year, and retrieving the Al-Shanasiyah market, Al Qasba Canal, and Al-Noor Island, The Maliha Center for Antiquities, and other projects that add a strong cultural, touristic and urban product to the country and encourage more investment.
• The opening session of the cultural camp was held under the title "Transformation into Creative Cities".
• Creative cities are based on the combination of cultural heritage and openness to different cultures.