Noura Al Kaabi hails French ties: 'I would like them to know how different the UAE is'

Minister of Culture and Youth tells The National of her joy at hearing President Sheikh Mohamed speak in Paris

Minister of Culture and Youth Noura Al Kaabi says the cultural relationship between the UAE and France is a top priority. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Minister of Culture and Youth Noura Al Kaabi says she was overjoyed when President Sheikh Mohamed spoke about the strong cultural links shared by the UAE and France during his visit to Paris this week.

The cultural relationship between the UAE and France is a top priority, she told The National.

Ms Al Kaabi, who was part of the UAE delegation that went to France, said she was immensely proud when she heard the words of Sheikh Mohamed at a banquet on Monday hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron at the Palace of Versailles.

"It is true that we have political and economic ties, but our cultural co-operation represents our utmost collaboration and this mirrors the quality of this strategic partnership," Sheikh Mohamed said.

The President's words bear testimony to the cultural links between the UAE and France, Ms Al Kaabi said.

“The French Minister of Culture and I looked at each other and smiled the moment our President said that," she said.

"That sentence reminds us that we have a very important job to do and make sure that we don't lose that [trust and faith].”

Ms Al Kaabi said she hopes that countries such as France get to know the UAE and its people better and understand that the country has much more to offer than its five-star hotels and high-rise buildings.

“I would like them to know how different the UAE is," she said.

"Emiratis and people from more than 200 nationalities who call the UAE home have uniquely different sets of values.

"The different nationalities, the projects, the leadership, our beautiful federal system, make our model very different, one that we should appreciate.

“We signed the Abrahamic Accords, we're a country that is interested in dialogue. So I hope people from other countries understand our values, what we like to eat and how we dress, and things that are beyond the glitz and glamour that the UAE is known for.

“The social fabric is something that is really important to consider. And, of course, you know, we have lots of other things to share, whether it's our students who are making us proud, the individuals who are representing us at entities like UNESCO and our movements.

"The UAE has seven emirates and each has its own cultural offerings, and we want to extend that.”

President Sheikh Mohamed visits Paris - in pictures

The President, Sheikh Mohamed, leaves France after his official state visit. Photo: Presidential Court

Sheikh Mohamed stands for the national anthem. Catherine Colonna, French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, is also pictured. Photo: Presidential Court

Sheikh Mohamed stands for the national anthems. Photo: Presidential Court

Sheikh Mohamed bids farewell to Ms Colonna. Photo: Presidential Court

Members of the French honour guard play the national anthem before Sheikh Mohamed's departure. Photo: Presidential Court

President Sheikh Mohamed speaks to Emirati students and doctors studying in France. Seen with Shamma bint Suhail Al Al Mazrouei, UAE Minister of State for Youth, second right, and Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed, vice chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, fourth right. Photo: Presidential Court

President Sheikh Mohamed with Emirati students and doctors, along with Shamma bint Suhail Al Al Mazrouei, Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed and Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Presidential Court, fourth from left. Photo: Presidential Court

President Sheikh Mohamed meets students and doctors. Photo: Presidential Court

President Sheikh Mohamed greets Emirati students and doctors who are studying in France. Photo: Presidential Court

Sheikh Mohamed, with Sheikh Zayed bin Mohamed, speaks to Catherine Colonna. Photo: Presidential Court

Sheikh Mohamed arrives at Matignon Hotel in Paris to meet Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Sheikh Mohamed arrives at the Matignon to meet Ms Borne. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed leaves Matignon hotel. Chris Whiteoak / The National

President Sheikh Mohamed signs a guest book during a military ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. Photo: Presidential Court

Sheikh Mohamed stands at attention as the national anthems of the UAE and France are played at the Arc de Triomphe. Photo: Presidential Court

The UAE President greets a members of the Unknown Soldier’s Torch Committee. Photo: Presidential Court

Sheikh Mohamed lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Photo: Presidential Court

The UAE President meets Yael Braun-Pivet, sixth from right, President of the French National Assembly, in Paris. The senior UAE officials include Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Presidential Court; Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation; Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed, Vice Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council; and Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed, managing director of Abu Dhabi Investment Authority and Abu Dhabi Executive Council Member. Photo: Presidential Court

Sheikh Mohamed with Ms Braun-Pivet at the National Assembly Presidency Palace. Photo: Presidential Court

Sheikh Mohamed is received by Ms Braun-Pivet during his state visit to France. Photo: Presidential Court

The UAE President gives a speech during a dinner hosted in his honour by French President Emmanuel Macron at the Versailles Grand Trianon in Paris. Photo: Presidential Court

Sheikh Mohamed is in France on his first overseas trip as UAE President. Photo: Presidential Court

Sheikh Mohamed discussed the important role that France has undertaken in the Middle East and expressed his interest in continuing to work together to promote peace, stability and security across the region. Photo: Presidential Court

Sheikh Mohamed, Mr Macron and France's first lady Brigitte Macron at the Versailles Grand Trianon. Photo: Presidential Court

Sheikh Mohamed with French Senate President Gerard Larcher in Paris. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The UAE President met Mr Larcher at Luxembourg Palace. Photo: Presidential Court

Members of the UAE delegation attend the meeting at Luxembourg Palace. Photo: Presidential Court

Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Presidential Court; Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed, managing director of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority and Abu Dhabi Executive Council Member; and Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed, vice chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, during the meeting at Luxembourg Palace. Photo: Presidential Court

Sheikh Mohamed's decision to visit France on his first trip overseas as UAE head of state is considered highly significant and a recognition of the strength of ties between the two countries. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Sheikh Mohamed and a delegation of ministers and senior officials began the day with a visit to the historic Les Invalides complex, home to the military museum. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The UAE President then travelled a short distance to Luxembourg Palace. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Mr Larcher said he was pleased to have the opportunity to discuss the Cop28 climate change conference, which will be hosted at Expo City Dubai in November 2023, and 'a lot about the energy issue, which is very important'. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Sheikh Mohamed arrives at Luxembourg Palace in Paris. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Macron watch as Dr Sultan Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, and managing director and group chief executive of Adnoc, and France's Energy Transition Minister Agnes Pannier-Runacher sign a comprehensive strategic energy partnership between the two countries. Photo: Presidential Court

Sheikh Mohamed, Mr Macron, Dr Al Jaber, Ms Pannier-Runacher and France's Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire after the signing ceremony in Paris. Photo: Presidential Court

Sheikh Mohamed holds talks with Mr Macron at Elysee Palace in Paris. Photo: Presidential Court

Sheikh Mohamed is welcomed to Elysee Palace by Mr Macron. Photo: Presidential Court

Sheikh Mohamed with Mr Macron and France's first lady Brigitte Macron after the UAE President's arrival at Elysee Palace in the French capital. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The UAE leader warmly embraced Mr Macron on his arrival in Paris, describing him as a friend and his country as one of the Emirates' closest allies. Chris Whiteoak / The National

During a private lunch, the two leaders reviewed new agreements that expand decades of partnership and collaboration between the UAE and France. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Sheikh Mohamed spoke about the common interest that the UAE and France share in confronting climate change. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A French guard of honour awaits the arrival of Sheikh Mohamed to Elysee Palace. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The UAE President attends an official reception hosted by Sebastien Lecornu, France's Minister of Armed Forces, at the military museum in Paris. Photo: Presidential Court

Sheikh Mohamed is accompanied by Mr Le Cornu as he inspects a guard of honour and meets officials at the military museum. Photo: Presidential Court

The UAE President visited the tomb of Napoleon Bonaparte within the Dome des Invalides at the military museum. Photo: Presidential Court

Sheikh Mohamed was set to meet top French officials during his two-day visit, including Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne and President of the National Assembly Yael Braun-Pivet. Photo: Presidential Court

Sheikh Mohamed with Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed, vice chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, and Mr Le Cornu at the military museum. Photo: Presidential Court

Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Le Cornu stand at attention as the two countries' anthems are played. Photo: Presidential Court

The UAE President's motorcade arrives at the military museum. Photo: Presidential Court

Emirati flags adorned the streets around Elysee and Luxembourg palaces. Photo: Presidential Court

UAE's Spirit of Mosul initiative

The UAE has taken on a major role in cultural diplomacy by supporting artists from the UAE and abroad and reviving buildings of historical and cultural importance.

The country's flagship initiative 'Revive the Spirit of Mosul' helps in the recovery of one of Iraq's iconic cities.

The UAE is the biggest donor to help restore the historic minarets and churches in Mosul, which were devastated when ISIS took control of the area.

The project is funded by the UAE, which gave $50 million to the UN agency.

Reviving Mosul is not only about rebuilding heritage sites, but also about empowering the local population as agents of change involved in the process of rebuilding their city.

“I think the most symbolic and most important outcome of this is seeing the youth of Mosul, talking about the project more than anyone else, more than us, or more than the Unesco,” Ms Al Kaabi said.

Outside the Middle East, the UAE has helped to restore a theatre at Fontainebleau to its original glory.

Restoration of artefacts at Mosul Museum- in pictures

Parts of the broken statue of the ancient Mesopotamian "lamassu" human-headed winged bull being reassembled at the Mosul Museum in Iraq's northern city. All photos by AFP

Ancient artefacts in the Iraqi museum were smashed to pieces when ISIS fighters seized the northern city of Mosul in 2014

A worker at the museum reassembles pieces of an artefact bearing cuneiform inscriptions.

Fragments of writing or straight lines help the teams put together some pieces, like a giant jigsaw.

The destroyed remains of the mihrab, or prayer niche, of the Mosque of Banat Al Hassan undergoing restoration at the museum.

Part of a statue of the ancient Mesopotamian "lamassu" human-headed winged bull being reconstructed at the museum.

A worker takes notes while analysing artefact fragments to be reconstructed and reassembled.

Stones of various sizes are being restored at the museum, some bearing etchings of animal paws or wings.

The UAE is also the only country in the world that shares the iconic Louvre Museum. There will also be upcoming exhibitions showcasing the work of Emirati artists in France.

“The Louvre is not just the beautiful façade, it is the institution and everything that comes with it,” Ms Al Kaabi said.

“A story that I always enjoy telling is about the role of Emiratis at the Louvre in Abu Dhabi - when it was inaugurated.

"Their role was mainly limited to protocol but today you see them in curation and tomorrow, you'll hopefully see one of them as the director of the museum.

"I think this is the journey that we want to work on. And the journey doesn't stop there, it doesn't stop in the UAE, it goes beyond the borders in the different partnerships we have in terms of how we can protect and preserve indigenous cultural heritage, and cultural sites that suffered from conflicts.”

Another project where both France and the UAE are major stockholders is ALIPH — the International Alliance for the Protection of Heritage in Conflict Areas.

ALIPH has supported more than 100 projects to protect museums, libraries, and archives.

“We believe our future is an extension of our history. It's something that we share with the French and we want to build on it,” she said.

“Another aspect that we are discussing, and I talked about it with the French minister of culture, is that we want to do more when it comes to creative industries, gaming, fashion designing, film production, and I feel there is a lot to do in these areas."

The Ministry of Culture and Youth and the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi will help three artists from the UAE to perform at the Biennale de Lyon, an international contemporary art event in France, next September.

On film production, Ms Al Kaabi said: “We have waited too long that we better do it right now. It's never about the glitzy film festivals. It's about the content that you create, and how you make it travel around the world or inspire your own community. Hopefully, I'll be able to share with you some news soon.”

During her visit to France, Ms Al Kaabi also visited the office of the Permanent Delegation of the UAE to Unesco, Wam news agency said.

The re-opening of the newly renovated office coincides with the 50th anniversary of the year the UAE became a Unesco member state in 1972.

During the visit, Ms Al Kaabi met with officials and staff and saw pieces by Emirati artists such as Mohammed Ahmed Ibrahim, Afra Al Dhaheri, Mohammed Kazem, Nasser Nasrallah, and others.

The office provides a space for visitors to experience both the culture and traditions of the UAE, as well as its contemporary art.