Abu Dhabi Culture Summit announces new line-up of international and regional speakers

The revised programme will include world-renowned architect Frank Gehry, designer of Guggenheim Abu Dhabi

The fifth summit runs under the theme of A Living Culture, which examines the collective ecosystems of culture. Photo: Abu Dhabi Culture Summit

The new line-up for Abu Dhabi Culture Summit 2022 has been announced, with international and regional experts set to take part in a series of curated panel discussions and artist talks.

Under the theme of A Living Culture, the summit will examine the role of collective culture and how to embrace it. The list of international speakers includes award-winning artists, a former president and prominent industry experts.

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

The speakers include world-renowned architect Frank Gehry, whose works are considered some of the most important pieces of contemporary architecture. He designed the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi.

Amin Taha will also be speaking at the summit. The British architect was involved in a legal controversy and battle with local authorities, which he won, concerning the stone facade design of a residential building he and his firm designed in London.

Key figures speaking at the summit will also include the UAE Minister of Culture and Youth Noura Al Kaabi, former President of Croatia Ivo Josipovic, and Ernesto Ottone, assistant director general for culture at Unesco.

Sessions at the Abu Dhabi Culture Summit will cover a wide range of topics.

The Hollywood and the Diversity of Cultural Expression session will look at past criticisms around the lack of representation of women and people of colour in the industry, as well as the impact of new digital platforms and streaming services such as Netflix on the topic of diversity of cultural expression.

While Afghanistan Through a Culture Lens will look into the importance of preserving cultural assets with the Taliban now in control of the country.

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 programme will also include a creative conversations segment led by curator and director of the Design Museum in London, Tim Marlow. The segment will feature guests like the world’s first humanoid artist Ai-Da the robot and Dr Jos Boys, co-founder of The DisOrdinary Architecture Project, which explores with disabled artists creative ways for access and inclusion.

Artists set to be delivering talks during the summit will include Nigerian sound and installation artist Emeka Ogboh and others will be announced soon.

Film screenings and artists’ performances from the likes of choreographer Kader Attou will also be taking place during the event.

Abu Dhabi Culture Summit 2022 will run from October 23 to 25 at Manarat Al Saadiyat, Abu Dhabi.

Frank Gehry's impressive structures — in pictures

The Dancing House, also called 'Fred and Ginger', by architects Vlado Milunic and Frank Gehry, in Prague, Czech Republic. All Photos: Alamy Stock Photo

Frank Gehry's Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Centre for Brain Health, in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Hotel Marques de Riscal, designed by architects Frank Owen and Frank Gehry, in Elciego, Alava, Basque Country, Spain

Louis Vuitton Foundation art museum and cultural centre, designed by Frank Gehry, in Paris, France

Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Basque Country, Spain

Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, California

Sculpture Peix D'or, Hotel Arts Barcelona, Mapfre Tower, in Barcelona, Spain