69 golden residency permits granted to creators and artists, and 124 fulfilling applications in 2020
"Emirates Airlines of Literature" discusses the role of "cultural residency and writing the future"
Hala Badri: "Cultural stays around the world are short-term and do not contribute to creating the sustainability of creative work."
Major General Muhammad Ahmad Al-Marri: "A country in which there are no intellectuals and scholars, is an empty country that does not enjoy any elements of success."
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A remarkable public presence witnessed the first session of the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature in its second week, through a dialogue session in which the Director General of the General Administration of Residency and Foreigners Affairs, Major General Mohammed Ahmed Al-Marri, and the Director General of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, Hala Badri, participated under the title «Cultural Residency and Writing the Future ».
At the beginning of the dialogue session, moderated by the writer Moataz Qutayna, Hala Badri paused at the details of the initiative adopted by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to make Dubai a global center for culture and creativity, and a forum for talents from writers, thinkers and researchers Emirati and Arab artists from different parts of the world, in line with the UAE's strategy to create a harmonious and sustainable society, and contribute to the cultural economy, explaining that the golden residency was granted to 69 cultural and artistic personalities.
On the concept of “cultural residency” around the world, Badri said: “Before launching this initiative, we conducted standard studies and comparisons of many cultural residencies around the world, and found that most of these residencies are short-term and do not contribute to creating the sustainability of creative work, including the cultural residence visa in A country like Japan, which does not exceed 18 months and focuses on cultural activities and events, and a cultural residence visa in Germany that does not exceed three months, as well as a short-term cultural exchange visa in the United States of America. ”She added:“ As for the UAE, a residence visa is granted. Gold for a period of 10 years for creative talents, in the fields of literature, culture, plastic and performing arts, and design, as well as heritage, historical, cognitive, intellectual and creative industries studies, and those with specializations in the intellectual and knowledge fields, in accordance with the compulsory terms and conditions, such as years of residence inside the country, knowledge and creative production, and some Optional conditions and pledges for each category, such as a pledge to contribute to the suspension of (36) hours of service for the UAE community, and other conditions that guarantee renewal
Automatically without the need for an Emirati sponsor.
Multiculturalism
Major General Mohamed Ahmed Al-Marri talked about the concept of the golden card for residency in the UAE, and its contribution to promoting the values of cultural and social pluralism, saying: “When the UAE becomes an attractive environment for this category of creators, this is evidence that it has a long-term strategic thinking, capable of facing multiple challenges and access. To the future in safety, ”affirming that“ a country in which there are no intellectuals, scientists and engineers, is an empty country that does not have any elements of success, because the presence of the educated is important in a society that should not depend on money as a main nerve of life. ”
Major General Mohammed Ahmed Al-Marri affirmed that granting the "golden residency" reflects the position of the UAE as a second home for individuals from all over the world, and for everyone who positively contributes to its success story, by providing permanent residency and unprecedented benefits for a number of groups, with the aim of devoting an active and stimulating climate. On the growth, success, and consolidation of the UAE's position on the global stage.
Major General Al-Marri focused on the concept of the country's image abroad, and the impact it has on drawing a positive mindset about the Emirates, saying: “Every country promotes its knowledge and civilization achievements in the way it deems appropriate, and today we live in a country that has made great strides in progress at all levels. And that since its establishment less than 50 years ago ».
By the numbers
On the plan to expand the granting of cultural residencies in the UAE, Hala Badri confirmed, “In 2020, 220 applications for nomination for golden residency were received, of which 124 applications were accepted that fulfill the conditions, while 69 residence visas were issued, and 59 work is currently underway. Another new visa », adding:“ We always seek to expand in this framework within the conditions that we are keen to meet in the nomination applications, in light of the strong cultural infrastructure that the UAE has, including public libraries, theaters, publishing houses, and operas, as well as multiple cultural events. That exceeds 2,300 events annually, through which it is possible to benefit from the participation of these creators in supplementing the country's global cultural scene.
Joint coordination
The Director General of the General Administration of Residency and Foreigners Affairs, Major General Muhammad Ahmad Al-Marri said: “We have a joint work team, and at the end of the matter we are an executive body that approves the granting of golden residency to these creative groups, based on an official letter from the authority, which in turn reviews the compulsory and optional conditions based on On clear and transparent criteria ».
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