Culture Bites: Celebrating our podcast's first anniversary

Culture Bites turns one this week! To celebrate the anniversary, hosts Farah Andrews, Enas Refaei and Maan Jalal look back on their favourite moments, and Farah gives the team a podcast present in the form of a big concert announcement in Abu Dhabi. Listen to catch the exciting news.

Also coming to the UAE is the much-debated Donald Trump biopic, The Apprentice, screening in cinemas from October 16. It tells the story of the former US president’s rise as a businessman in 1980s New York. The hosts discuss the trailer and their expectations for the film, especially against the backdrop of the US presidential election campaign.

Following the Primetime Emmys this week, Enas, Farah and Maan chat about bold statements made at the event by stars including actor D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, who appeared with a red hand print painted over his mouth in protest over missing and murdered indigenous women in North America, and Bridgerton actress Nicola Coughlan, who wore an Artists4Ceasefire pin.

Big news from the night included Shogun star Anna Sawai's win, which made her the first performer of Asian descent to be crowned best actress in a drama series. The team also chat about Laura Dern, who wore a unique Sabyasachi necklace that was exhibited in Dubai this year.

For inspiration on what to read next, Maan compiles a list of novels that spotlight the diverse experiences of Arab women. They include In the Eye of the Sun by Ahdaf Soueif, a flashback that tells the story of Asya’s life growing up in 1960s Cairo. Another suggestion, Between Sky and Water by Susan Abulhawa, is about four generations of Palestinian women in Gaza who were expelled from their village, forcing the matriarch to be their breadwinner.

The podcast will be taking a break next week but will be back to its regular schedule the week after.

Explainer: Tanween Design Programme

Non-profit arts studio Tashkeel launched this annual initiative with the intention of supporting budding designers in the UAE. This year, three talents were chosen from hundreds of applicants to be a part of the sixth creative development programme. These are architect Abdulla Al Mulla, interior designer Lana El Samman and graphic designer Yara Habib.

The trio have been guided by experts from the industry over the course of nine months, as they developed their own products that merge their unique styles with traditional elements of Emirati design. This includes laboratory sessions, experimental and collaborative practice, investigation of new business models and evaluation.

It is led by British contemporary design project specialist Helen Voce and mentor Kevin Badni, and offers participants access to experts from across the world, including the likes of UK designer Gareth Neal and multidisciplinary designer and entrepreneur, Sheikh Salem Al Qassimi.

The final pieces are being revealed in a worldwide limited-edition release on the first day of Downtown Designs at Dubai Design Week 2019. Tashkeel will be at stand E31 at the exhibition.

Lisa Ball-Lechgar, deputy director of Tashkeel, said: “The diversity and calibre of the applicants this year … is reflective of the dynamic change that the UAE art and design industry is witnessing, with young creators resolute in making their bold design ideas a reality.”