UAE Cultural Achievements In 2024 Showcase Creativity And Innovation Across Arts Sector

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) experienced a significant cultural evolution in 2024, reinforcing its status as a global centre for culture and creativity. The nation focused on making the cultural sector a vital part of sustainable economic growth. This commitment was evident through various festivals and events aimed at preserving and sharing heritage across the country.

In 2024, the UAE achieved notable cultural milestones. The UAE Cabinet approved the National Grant Program for Culture and Creativity, enhancing the UAE Medal for Culture and Creativity to the UAE Order for Culture and Creativity. These steps were part of broader efforts to support the arts sector.

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A federal decree-law was introduced to empower the arts by regulating non-profit artistic institutions. This law offers numerous benefits to artists and the creative community. Under H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan's patronage, the UAE National Orchestra was established, highlighting arts' role in shaping identity and promoting unity.

The orchestra will celebrate both traditional musical heritage and contemporary styles from around the globe, reflecting the UAE's diverse artistic landscape. This initiative underscores the country's dedication to fostering arts as a means of connection within society.

Significant archaeological findings in 2024 enriched understanding of ancient civilisations in the region. Artefacts from Al Dour Cave in Fujairah include stone tools and animal bones dating back 13,000 to 7,500 years. Bronze Age items were found at Umm Al Nar in Abu Dhabi, while Roman gold coins emerged at Tell Abraq in Umm Al Qaiwain.

Abu Dhabi saw the opening of Noor & Salam Museum at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre. This museum features five sections with interactive experiences using advanced technologies to showcase rare artefacts. Meanwhile, Dubai launched its first Photography Museum to document photography history locally and globally.

Cultural Initiatives and Achievements

The UAE ranked first among Arab nations and 26th globally in the Global Knowledge Index (GKI) 2024, which evaluates countries' knowledge performance across various fields. The eighth Reading Challenge saw over 28.2 million students participating from more than 229,000 schools worldwide.

The Sheikh Zayed Book Award expanded its international reach with over 4,000 submissions from 75 countries for its 19th edition. First-time participants included Albania, Bolivia, Colombia, Trinidad and Tobago, and Mali. The Sharjah International Book Fair hosted over 2,500 publishers from 112 countries.

Book Fairs and Cultural Grants

This book fair attracted 1.82 million visitors globally and was recognised as the largest book fair for buying publishing rights for four consecutive years. Similarly, Abu Dhabi International Book Fair welcomed over 200,000 visitors with participation from 1,350 publishers across 90 countries.

A key cultural initiative was launching the Dubai Cultural Grant Programme aimed at developing arts sectors while supporting creative communities across Dubai and beyond. Over ten years, AED180 million will be provided in grants to empower local talents across various cultural industries.

The UAE's dedication to culture is evident through these initiatives that not only preserve heritage but also promote creativity on a global scale.

With inputs from WAM