EXHIBITION TO RUN FROM FEBRUARY 13 TO 20 165 WORKS OF 47 CALLIGRAPHERS GOES ON DISPLAY PARTICIPATION BY NINE COUNTRIES

The fifth edition of the Dubai International Exhibition of the Arabic Calligraphy Art will be held at the Dubai Cultural and Scientific Association headquarters in Al Mamzar from February 13 to 20 with 165 selected works of 47 contemporary calligraphers from nine countries going on public display.

The hugely-popular annual show, being held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, is organized by the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) in cooperation with the Istanbul-based Research Centre for Islamic History, Art and Culture (IRCICA), an arm of the Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC).

It is sponsored by the UAE Ministry of Culture, Youth and Community Development, Dubai Cultural and Scientific Association and Emirates-NBD.

The exhibition is open to the public from 5 pm to 10 pm. It will be open to students from 10 am to 1 pm.

This was announced at a Press conference by the DTCM Executive Director Operations and Marketing, Mr. Mohammed Khamis bin Hareb. Also present were Mr. Mohammed Al Tamimi, Manager Heritage at IRCICA, Mr. Bilal Al Budoor, Assistant Under-Secretary for Cultural Affairs at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Community Development, Mr. Ali Obaid Al Hamli, Chairman of Cultural Committee at Dubai Cultural and Scientific Association, and Mr.  Sulaiman Al Mazroui, General Manager of Corporate Communications and Community Relations at Emirates-NBD.

Mr. bin Hareb said the exhibition has been a successful addition to the cultural landscape of the emirate and the increasing number of participation by calligraphers was an indication of its popularity.

Mr. Al Mazroui, General Manager of Corporate Communications and Community Relations at Emirates-NBD thanked the organizers for the opportunity to sponsor this important cultural event which is part of Emirates NBD Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives and its commitment to the society.

In addition to the UAE, the countries participating in the exhibition are Iraq, Turkey, Iran, Syria, Sudan, Palestine, Bosnia and Bangladesh.  There will be workshops and lectures on the sidelines of the exhibition. There will be a dedicated section at the exhibition for the calligraphers from Iraq.

The event has been designed to highlight a traditional form of art popular in the Arab and Muslim world. The works cover verses from the Holy Quran, Arabic Poetry, Proverbs and Sayings.

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Reported by: Claire Andrea (Corporate Communications)
Reported on: 13.02.2008