Culture Summit Abu Dhabi to return in October

The annual gathering was postponed after death of Sheikh Khalifa

Noura Mohammed Al Kaabi, the UAE's Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development makes her keynote address at the Culture Summit 2019. Manarat Al Saadiyat, Abu Dhabi. All photos by Chris Whiteoak / The National

Mohamed Khalifa al Mubarak, Chairman, Department of Culture and Tourism makes his opening remarks at the Culture Summit.

Jorge Fernando Quiroga, Former President of Bolivia, speaks on the topic of Cultural diplomacy and responsibility in the age of technology at the Culture Summit.

Mina Al Oraibi, Editor in Chief of The National, speaks on the topic of How can the media survive the new age of technology at the Culture Summit.

Artist Emeka Ogboh speaks on the topic of How museums can creatively embrace the digital age at the Culture Summit.

Zaki Nusseibeh, UAE Minister of State speaks on the topic of Cultural diplomacy and responsibility in the age of technology at the Culture Summit.

José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, Former Prime Minister of Spain speaks on the topic of Cultural diplomacy and responsibility in the age of technology at the Culture Summit.

Bernardino Leon, Director General, Emirates Diplomatic Academy. speaks on the topic of Cultural diplomacy and responsibility in the age of technology at the Culture Summit.

The crowd ask questions on the topic of Cultural diplomacy and responsibility in the age of technology at the Culture Summit.

John Defterious, Emerging markets editor and host, Marketplace middle east CNN speaks on the topic of How can the media survive the new age of technology at the Culture Summit.

Shashi Menon, Founder and Chief Executive officer, Nervora speaks on the topic of How can the media survive the new age of technology at the Culture Summit.

A panel discussion on the topic of Cultural diplomacy and responsibility in the age of technology at the Culture Summit.

A performance by Marcos Lutyens at the Culture Summit.

Kudo Takashi, teamLab, Artist collective/Digital Art Museum, Tokyo speaks on the topic of How museums can creatively embrace the digital age at the Culture Summit.

Farooq Chaudhry, Producer, Akram Khan Company speaks on How we define popularity v populism at the Culture Summit.

Apian Poshyananda, Artistic director, Bangkok art Biennale speaks on the topic of How museums can creatively embrace the digital age at the Culture Summit.

Munira Mirza, Executive Director, Culture, King's College London speaks on How we define popularity v populism at the Culture Summit.

The Culture Summit Abu Dhabi, an annual event bringing together leaders from the fields of art, heritage, museums, media and technology, will now take place from October 23 to 25.

The news comes after the annual gathering was postponed following the death of Sheikh Khalifa, the UAE’s second president, who died on May 13.

The new dates for the event were announced by the Department of Culture and Tourism — Abu Dhabi during Monday's launch of a joint study with Unesco, about Covid-19's impact on the global cultural sector.

Details of the venue and the line-up of speakers will be announced soon.

Organised by DCT Abu Dhabi, the fifth Culture Summit Abu Dhabi was set to run under the theme A Living Culture, with keynote speeches and panel discussions examining culture's role in a post-Covid-19 world.

Comedian and The Daily Show host Trevor Noah was one of the guest speakers scheduled for the programme.

Other guests who were scheduled to appear included Malawi's first female president Joyce Banda; renowned architect Frank Gehry; Noura Al Kaabi, the UAE's Minister of Culture and Youth; and DCT Abu Dhabi chairman Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak.

Unesco assistant director general for culture Ernesto Ottone, left, and DCT Abu Dhabi chairman Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak at the launch of the 'Culture in Times of Covid 19: Resilience, Recovery and Revival' report in Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

While the new programme will be revealed soon, Mubarak confirmed the aforementioned report, titled Culture in Times of Covid-19: Resilience, Recovery and Revival, will feature at the summit.

The extensive study highlighted how the pandemic cost the global creative economy up to 40 per cent in lost revenue and more than 10 million jobs in 2020 alone.

The report calls for a holistic approach when it comes to cultural policy-making in the wake of the pandemic and as a safeguard against future challenges.

"It is almost like our blueprint to make sure that whatever comes our way in the future, whether economic crises, recessions and pandemics, we are ready for them," Mubarak said.

"We want to make sure we have all the policies and tools to basically deter any difficulties we would face together.”

From falconry to sadu, the UAE has 12 traditions on Unesco's intangible heritage lists — in pictures

Arabic calligraphy is the latest addition from the UAE, among other countries, to Unesco's intangible cultural heritage lists. AFP

Falconry has been practised in the Arab region for 4,000 years, mainly by desert-dwelling Bedouins as an important form of hunting and fishing in a land with scarce natural resources. Pawan Singh / The National

Learn more about al aflaj system in Al Ain in 'Emirates from Above', a National Geographic film. The traditional irrigation network system in the UAE has been added to Unesco's list.

Camel racing, an age-old tradition in the region, is still as popular today. EPA

Date palms have been used for centuries for myriad purposes around the Gulf, including the UAE. It was added by Unesco in 2019. Antonie Robertson / The National

Al azi poetry has been offered protected status by Unesco to develop a clear national identity in the UAE.

Al rafza is a traditional art form performed by men during special occasions, from weddings to national festivals. Reem Mohammed / The National

The serving of Arabian coffee is a vital part of hospitality in the region and 'considered a ceremonial act of generosity', says the Unesco inscription. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

The majlis, a cultural and social space prevalent throughout the region, was added in 2015 on behalf of the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Qatar. Jaime Puebla / The National

Al ayyala is a cultural performance practised in north-western Oman and throughout the UAE. It was added in 2014.

Al taghrooda, traditional Bedouin chanted poetry, was added in 2012. Mona Al Marzooqi / The National

Sadu, a traditional weaving technique, is on the list twice, once for the UAE and once for Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. It was added for the UAE in 2011. Reem Mohammed / The National