Lebanese singer Marwan Khoury and Egyptian actress Mona Zaki will appear at a new Abu Dhabi festival celebrating the Arabic language.
Running from December 15 to 18 at Manarat Al Saadiyat, Arabian Days is a free event aimed at culture lovers of all languages with a daily programme of concerts, film screenings, art exhibitions and literary discussions.
Organised by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre, the festival also coincides with World Arabic Language Day on December 18.
Ali Bin Tamim, chairman of Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre, says Arabian Days has been planned as an annual event.
“I am proud to see the launch of what will become an annual opportunity for enthusiasts of the Arabic language and culture to come together and celebrate the past, present and future of this beautiful language,” he explains to The National.
“By supporting established and emerging talent working in the language today, Arabian Days will become a key cultural date in the Abu Dhabi calendar and help younger Arabic speakers and non-Arabic speakers to recognise its extraordinary creative potential and inspire them to create their own art.”
Here is what you need to know about Arabian Days:
The concerts
About 30 eclectic acts will perform during the event on an outdoor stage, with each performer chosen for the literary prowess of their work.
The biggest name on the bill is undoubtedly Khoury, who will close the festival on December 18.
The celebrated Lebanese crooner is known for his evocative balladry and hits composed for the likes of pop-stars Elissa and Carole Samaha.
He will be joined by compatriot Abeer Nehme on December 15. A gifted vocalist and musicologist, Nehme's sets touch upon everything from folk music to Islamic devotional songs and ancient Arabic lullabies.
Preceding her that day is oud player and singer Anwar Abu Dragh, who will play traditional Iraqi folk songs.
Among the Emirati artists set to perform are opera singer and pianist Fatima Al Hashemi, who will play on December 16, and soul singer Aqram the following day.
Palestinian singer Noel Kharman will also make her debut Abu Dhabi gig on December 16.
Since making a big impression with a viral 2016 mash-up of Adele's Hello and Fairouz's Kaifek Inta followed in 2017 by a blend of Luis Fonsi's Despacito and Ahmed Al Maslawi’s Akhiran Galaha, Kharman has turned her sights to original tracks, such as the stately ballad Ann Alawan.
The art exhibitions
The main gallery space in Manarat Al Saadiyat will host an exhibition by Mahmoud Shubbar.
The Iraqi abstract artist will display paintings inspired by the life of historic Arab poet Antarah Ibn Shaddad.
Hailing from the Arab Peninsula, the work of the revered sixth century writer is defined by its rich descriptions of the regional traditions and customs of the time.
Also displayed throughout the festival will be works that have won this year’s Kanz Al Jeel Award. The competition, run by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre, recognises visual art works inspired by Arabic literature.
The films
In collaboration with Cinema Akil, Arabian Days will screen a number of Arabic films.
These include the December 16 screening of The Blue Whale, a 2014 drama set in an Egyptian hospital and based on the novel by Ahmed Mourad.
In Fields of Words - Conversations with Samar Yazbek will be shown the following day. The 2022 documentary centres on the free-flowing conversation between Syrian writer Samar Yazbek and Lebanese filmmaker Rania Stephan as they reflect on the role of literature in times of conflict.
Also showing on December 18 is The Last Queen, released in 2022.
Set in the 16th century Algiers under Ottoman rule, the Algerian period drama follows the life of Queen Zaphira as she attempts to cement her authority within a restless royal court.
All of the films will include English subtitles.
The conference
Writers, intellectuals and cultural historians will also gather in Arabian Days for a three-day conference exploring the diversity of the Arabic language through various mediums.
The actress Zaki will be on a panel discussing the evolution of Arabic theatre over the decades.
Ahead of his concert, Khoury will also sit down for a conversation about some of the stories behind his most evocative songs.
Lebanese poet Jawdat Fakhreddine will take part in discussions about the challenges educators face in teaching Arabic today.
As part of their session, Emirati and Jordanian artists Najat Makki and Muntasir Al-Hamdan will delve into the distinctive attributes of Arabic calligraphy.
All conference sessions will have English translations with the full programme available online.
Storytelling time
An outdoor nook of Manarat Al Saadiyat will be converted into an intimate setting to hear fireside stories.
Taking place each evening and running for three hours, these original tales will be written and performed by selected artists and performers.
Meanwhile, in Abu Dhabi’s Galleria Mall and Yas Mall, expect the festival to be promoted by a range of actors dressed up as historic literary Arabic figures.
Look out for personalities such as Lebanese poet Khalil Gibran, Egyptian author Naguib Mahfouz, Lebanese-Palestinian poet and essayist May Ziadeh and the Andalusian poet Wallada Bint Al Mustakfi.
More information is available at alc.ae
Five famous companies founded by teens
There are numerous success stories of teen businesses that were created in college dorm rooms and other modest circumstances. Below are some of the most recognisable names in the industry:
- Facebook: Mark Zuckerberg and his friends started Facebook when he was a 19-year-old Harvard undergraduate.
- Dell: When Michael Dell was an undergraduate student at Texas University in 1984, he started upgrading computers for profit. He starting working full-time on his business when he was 19. Eventually, his company became the Dell Computer Corporation and then Dell Inc.
- Subway: Fred DeLuca opened the first Subway restaurant when he was 17. In 1965, Mr DeLuca needed extra money for college, so he decided to open his own business. Peter Buck, a family friend, lent him $1,000 and together, they opened Pete’s Super Submarines. A few years later, the company was rebranded and called Subway.
- Mashable: In 2005, Pete Cashmore created Mashable in Scotland when he was a teenager. The site was then a technology blog. Over the next few decades, Mr Cashmore has turned Mashable into a global media company.
- Oculus VR: Palmer Luckey founded Oculus VR in June 2012, when he was 19. In August that year, Oculus launched its Kickstarter campaign and raised more than $1 million in three days. Facebook bought Oculus for $2 billion two years later.
Nick's journey in numbers
Countries so far: 85
Flights: 149
Steps: 3.78 million
Calories: 220,000
Floors climbed: 2,000
Donations: GPB37,300
Prostate checks: 5
Blisters: 15
Bumps on the head: 2
Dog bites: 1
War 2
Director: Ayan Mukerji
Stars: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana
Rating: 2/5
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
Three ways to limit your social media use
Clinical psychologist, Dr Saliha Afridi at The Lighthouse Arabia suggests three easy things you can do every day to cut back on the time you spend online.
1. Put the social media app in a folder on the second or third screen of your phone so it has to remain a conscious decision to open, rather than something your fingers gravitate towards without consideration.
2. Schedule a time to use social media instead of consistently throughout the day. I recommend setting aside certain times of the day or week when you upload pictures or share information.
3. Take a mental snapshot rather than a photo on your phone. Instead of sharing it with your social world, try to absorb the moment, connect with your feeling, experience the moment with all five of your senses. You will have a memory of that moment more vividly and for far longer than if you take a picture of it.
THE BIO
Favourite car: Koenigsegg Agera RS or Renault Trezor concept car.
Favourite book: I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes or Red Notice by Bill Browder.
Biggest inspiration: My husband Nik. He really got me through a lot with his positivity.
Favourite holiday destination: Being at home in Australia, as I travel all over the world for work. It’s great to just hang out with my husband and family.
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
In Full Flight: A Story of Africa and Atonement
John Heminway, Knopff
The Voice of Hind Rajab
Starring: Saja Kilani, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees
Director: Kaouther Ben Hania
Rating: 4/5
Desert Warrior
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Rating: 3/5
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ETelr%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDubai%2C%20UAE%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ELaunch%20year%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202014%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E65%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFinTech%20and%20payments%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Enearly%20%2430%20million%20so%20far%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre twin-turbo flat-six
Power: 480hp at 6,500rpm
Torque: 570Nm from 2,300-5,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto
Fuel consumption: 10.4L/100km
Price: from Dh547,600
On sale: now
New UK refugee system
- A new “core protection” for refugees moving from permanent to a more basic, temporary protection
- Shortened leave to remain - refugees will receive 30 months instead of five years
- A longer path to settlement with no indefinite settled status until a refugee has spent 20 years in Britain
- To encourage refugees to integrate the government will encourage them to out of the core protection route wherever possible.
- Under core protection there will be no automatic right to family reunion
- Refugees will have a reduced right to public funds
