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Abu Dhabi, UAEWednesday 14 April 2021

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Behold, the ‘Power of Words’ sculptures at Qasr Al Watan. Qasr Al Watan is home to three Power of Words sculptural masterpieces that are unique to the Palace of the Nation. These pieces of art, which have been erected in different colors and sizes, are a true testament of traditional Arabian craftsmanship and artistry.

The story behind the Sheikh Zayed-inspired sculptures at Qasr Al Watan
Mick Jagger and Dave Grohl have teamed up for a hard-rock pandemic anthem called 'Eazy Sleazy'. AP Photo

'Easy Sleazy': Mick Jagger and Dave Grohl release song about lockdown life

Music
Ranveer Singh in the upcoming Bollywood film '83'. The movie's release has been delayed by the coronavirus pandemic. Singh's other film 'Cirkus' has also halted production due to new lockdowns. Reliance Entertainment  

Bollywood devastated by new 15-day Maharashtra lockdown amid rising coronavirus cases

Film
Cairo International Film Festival president Mohamed Hefzy. This year's festival will take place in December. Courtesy Ciff

Cairo International Film Festival announces its dates for 2021

Film

Palestinian-American comedian Mo Amer joins the cast of 'Black Adam'

Film

New Middle Eastern art fair to open in Paris in May

Art

Jennifer Lopez to star in concert raising funds for Covid-19 vaccines

Music
IN DEPTH
Royal Opera House Muscat in Oman will air pre-recorded shows on its YouTube channel in May and June 2021. Courtesy Royal Opera House Muscat

From Beethoven to Bach: 10 pieces of classical music you need to hear

Music
Director Chloe Zhao accepting the award for Best Film for 'Nomadland' during the 74th annual British Academy Film Awards. EPA

Baftas 2021: Night belongs to 'Nomadland', Bukky Bakray and Emerald Fennell

Film
L-R: 'An Arab-Andalusian Night' featuring Syrian percussionist Inas Halal, Polish pianist Magdalena Wajdzik, US violinist Crosby Barrett and Spanish soprano Isabel Canada Luna. Courtesy: Anne Cabanel

How Isabel Canada Luna is using song to show the best of Arabic and Andalusian culture

Music
The classic Bani Thani painting made by Vaishnavdas in 1979 is carefully kept in the Vyas workshop. “None of the artists of today can match the accuracy of this painting,” says Anil. Courtesy: Sanket Jain

Pandemic threatens India's Bani Thani paintings with extinction after 270 years

Art
Olivia Colman beat out frontrunner Glenn Close to be named Best Actress in 2019. EPA

Everyone loves an underdog: Most unexpected Oscar winners of all time

Film
The World Trade Centre, still under construction, as seen behind dunes, late 1970s. Courtesy of Gordon Heald.

'Showpiece City': the story of Dubai's beginnings through architecture
Late rapper DMX's popularity and generous nature earned him a cult following. EPA

Five stories of DMX's kindness: 'He was so authentic and candid'
TOPSHOT - The carriage carrying the mummy of Pharaoh Ramses III (1186-1155 BC) advances as part of the parade of 22 ancient Egyptian royal mummies departing from the Egyptian Museum in Cairo's Tahrir Square on April 3, 2021, on their way to their new resting place at the new National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation (NMEC) about seven kilometres south in historic Fustat (Old Cairo). Dubbed the Pharaohs' Golden Parade, the 18 kings and four queens will travel in order, oldest first, each aboard a separate float decorated in ancient Egyptian style. / AFP / Khaled DESOUKI

Egypt's mummies parade: How to listen to the official soundtrack of this unique event
Created by Giles Miller Studio from London, this portrait of Sheikh Zayed is made up of 29,000 individual metallic discs. Chris Whiteoak / The National

How a portrait of Sheikh Zayed was made with 29,000 reflective discs
Arab pop stars Nancy Ajram, Amr Diab and Hussain Al Jassmi appear on Forbes Middle East's The Celebrity List: Arab Music Stars 2021 AFP 

Amr Diab to Nancy Ajram: these are the most streamed and followed Arab artists
Anthony Quinn stars in the Prophet Mohammed biopic 'The Message'. Courtesy Front Row

A picture of faith: 10 films with accurate portrayals of Islam
Mariah Carey and Ryan Reynolds recieve their Covid-19 vaccines. Instagram 

The best celebrity reactions to receiving the Covid-19 vaccine
People people experience the mountain environment at the Heart of Sharjah for Sharjah Heritage Days. Chris Whiteoak / The National

10 things to do at Sharjah Heritage Days: shows, experiences and food to try
FILM
Ranveer Singh in the upcoming Bollywood film '83'. The movie's release has been delayed by the coronavirus pandemic. Singh's other film 'Cirkus' has also halted production due to new lockdowns. Reliance Entertainment  

Bollywood devastated by new 15-day Maharashtra lockdown amid rising coronavirus cases

Palestinian-American comedian Mo Amer joins the cast of 'Black Adam'

Cairo International Film Festival announces its dates for 2021

Will Smith film pulls production from Georgia over US state's new voting law

Brad Pitt, Halle Berry and Bong Joon-ho among line-up of Oscars presenters
ART
Baya Mahieddine's gouache 'The Musicians' (1988) will be on view with Elmarsa at next month's Menart fair. Courtesy Elmarsa, Dubai

New Middle Eastern art fair to open in Paris in May

The story behind the Sheikh Zayed-inspired sculptures at Qasr Al Watan

Venice architecture Biennale to go ahead in May with Lebanese curator at helm

House of Artisans: Permanent exhibition at Qasr Al Hosn celebrates UAE crafts

Art Basel Hong Kong 2021 shrinks by half and will present new hybrid format
BOOKS
J K Rowling's new children's book, 'The Christmas Pig', will be released worldwide in October. AP

'The Christmas Pig': JK Rowling to release new children's book

'Showpiece City': the story of Dubai's beginnings through architecture

Former vice president Mike Pence to pen memoir in 'seven-figure' book deal

How Abu Dhabi author used racial trauma to inspire poetry colouring book

UAE's arts and culture experts share hopes for Dubai's creative sector
MUSIC
Mick Jagger and Dave Grohl have teamed up for a hard-rock pandemic anthem called 'Eazy Sleazy'. AP Photo

'Easy Sleazy': Mick Jagger and Dave Grohl release song about lockdown life

Jennifer Lopez to star in concert raising funds for Covid-19 vaccines

From Beethoven to Bach: 10 pieces of classical music you need to hear

Mahmoud El Tohamy headlines Abu Dhabi Festival Ramadan performances

Petty pop: 10 of the best songs about revenge
ON STAGE
Royal Opera House Muscat in Oman will air pre-recorded shows on its YouTube channel in May and June 2021. Courtesy Royal Opera House Muscat

From Beethoven to Bach: 10 pieces of classical music you need to hear

Five Egyptian star-studded radio series set to air this Ramadan

'Mamma Mia!' is coming to Dubai Opera for the first time

Michael McIntyre to play at Abu Dhabi's Etihad Arena in July

Dubai Comedy Festival returning as a 10-day event in May
TELEVISION
BBC attracted a huge number of complaints over its wall-to-wall coverage of the Duke of Edinburgh's death. Jane Barlow/Getty Images

BBC receives record number of complaints over Prince Philip coverage

Hank Azaria opens up about stepping away from Apu role on 'The Simpsons'

27 photos from night two of WrestleMania 37: from Roman Reigns to Logan Paul

Ramez Galal’s controversial prank show to return during Ramadan

The 'Friends' reunion special has finished filming
COMMENT
From left to right: Will Ferrell, Gal Gadot and Mark Ruffalo singing John Lennon's 'Imagine' is memorable for all the wrong reasons. YouTube

It's been one year since Gal Gadot and friends covered 'Imagine'

A search engine to rival Google? Now, that's Brave

BTS didn't win a Grammy, but 'Dynamite' isn't their best song

The 5 best smartphone cameras: What to look for when upgrading

How Kim Kardashian and Kanye West's marriage changed celebrity culture