Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayd, Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, meets French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe during a visit to Louvre Abu Dhabi ahead of the launch of UAE-France Cultural Dialogue 2018. Karim Sahib / AFP

French PM launches UAE-France Cultural Dialogue in Abu Dhabi



A six-month series of cultural collaborations between the UAE and France was launched in Abu Dhabi on Saturday by French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe.

The inauguration, attended by Noura Al Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development, and Zaki Nusseibeh, Minister of State, was held at Louvre Abu Dhabi — an established example of successful co-operation between the two countries.

Under the UAE-France Cultural Dialogue 2018, numerous festivals, exhibitions and educational initiatives will be held in both countries starting February in a bid to promote cross-cultural exchange.

On Saturday, Mr Philippe spoke of the long-standing relationship between the two countries initiated by UAE Founding father Sheikh Zayed in 1971.

The prime minister toured the museum and discussed, with Ms Al Kaabi, ways to expand the scope of mutual cultural collaborations in line with the Year of Zayed and the Founding Father’s vision for a brighter future.

"I have just discovered an exceptional museum, with its architecture and originality," he said.

"This was the fruit of ten years of exceptional co-operation between France and the UAE. The result, as you can see, reflects our common ambition to utilise culture in better understanding the world and its diversity."

He also addressed the UAE's plans to reintroduce French language classes in Emirati schools for the first time since 1988, the opening of an Arabic language learning centre at Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi and plans for other initiatives to promote Arabic teaching in schools and learning centres in France. "Language is the bond that unites us, each in his own language," he said.

"Art, artificial intelligence, cultural heritage preservation, in addition to the promotion of the French and Arabic languages, are priority areas in our countries. We also support common French and Emirati values such as youth, innovation and creativity."

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Read more:

UAE and France to launch Emirati-French Cultural Dialogue

National Editorial: Louvre Abu Dhabi represents cultural understanding through the ages

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Mr Philippe said several events will be held in France to raise the profile of the UAE, its people and artists, including an art residency exchange.

Ms Al Kaabi said the joint government initiative — which coincides with the Year of Zayed — would involve empowering talents, promoting values of creativity, innovation and artificial intelligence with a particular focus on the UAE’s youth community.

“I am humbled to be standing here at Louvre Abu Dhabi once again with a representative of France, a country with which we have developed such strong ties,” she said. “This year marks the year of our founder, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and also marks the year of the French-Emirati Cultural Dialogue. The overlap is fitting because Sheikh Zayed represented the values of collaboration and cultural exchange — something both of our countries represent.”

She applauded the role of French educational institutions such as Al Sorbonne for developing the global cultural scene and raising the awareness of culture to both Arabic and French speakers.

This year's cultural dialogue builds on the Emirati-French Cultural Programme, which was first announced in 2016.

The UAE-France Cultural Dialogue 2018 programme will turn its focus to art and artificial intelligence and protecting endangered cultural heritage.

Collaborative events will include multiple exhibitions at Louvre Abu Dhabi, including "Co-Lab: Contemporary Art and Savoir-faire," — a project that focuses on a co-operation between four UAE-based artists and four well-known historical French manufacturers- currently on display.

Events across both countries include the Lyon and Sharjah’s Light Festivals; the My French Film Festival and Francofilm — two cinema festivals offering a selection of French and francophone films in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, and The Parisian book fair, Livre Paris, which will welcome Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah, as a guest of honour.

Ludovic Pouille, French Ambassador to the UAE, Mohammed Al Mubarak, Chairman of Department of Culture and Tourism, Jean-Luc Martinez, President of Musee du Louvre, and architect Jean Nouvel also attended the launch on Saturday.

How has net migration to UK changed?

The figure was broadly flat immediately before the Covid-19 pandemic, standing at 216,000 in the year to June 2018 and 224,000 in the year to June 2019.

It then dropped to an estimated 111,000 in the year to June 2020 when restrictions introduced during the pandemic limited travel and movement.

The total rose to 254,000 in the year to June 2021, followed by steep jumps to 634,000 in the year to June 2022 and 906,000 in the year to June 2023.

The latest available figure of 728,000 for the 12 months to June 2024 suggests levels are starting to decrease.

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How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
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  2. Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
  3. Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
  4. Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
  5. Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
  6. The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
  7. Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269

*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year

PROFILE OF INVYGO

Started: 2018

Founders: Eslam Hussein and Pulkit Ganjoo

Based: Dubai

Sector: Transport

Size: 9 employees

Investment: $1,275,000

Investors: Class 5 Global, Equitrust, Gulf Islamic Investments, Kairos K50 and William Zeqiri

Name: Brendalle Belaza

From: Crossing Rubber, Philippines

Arrived in the UAE: 2007

Favourite place in Abu Dhabi: NYUAD campus

Favourite photography style: Street photography

Favourite book: Harry Potter

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
 
Started: 2021
 
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
 
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Sector: Water technology 
 
Number of staff: 22 
 
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Essentials

The flights
Whether you trek after mountain gorillas in Rwanda, Uganda or the Congo, the most convenient international airport is in Rwanda’s capital city, Kigali. There are direct flights from Dubai a couple of days a week with RwandAir. Otherwise, an indirect route is available via Nairobi with Kenya Airways. Flydubai flies to Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo, via Entebbe in Uganda. Expect to pay from US$350 (Dh1,286) return, including taxes.
The tours
Superb ape-watching tours that take in all three gorilla countries mentioned above are run by Natural World Safaris. In September, the company will be operating a unique Ugandan ape safari guided by well-known primatologist Ben Garrod.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, local operator Kivu Travel can organise pretty much any kind of safari throughout the Virunga National Park and elsewhere in eastern Congo.

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Countries offering golden visas

UK
Innovator Founder Visa is aimed at those who can demonstrate relevant experience in business and sufficient investment funds to set up and scale up a new business in the UK. It offers permanent residence after three years.

Germany
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Italy
The scheme is designed for foreign investors committed to making a significant contribution to the economy. Requires a minimum investment of €250,000 which can rise to €2 million.

Switzerland
Residence Programme offers residence to applicants and their families through economic contributions. The applicant must agree to pay an annual lump sum in tax.

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Start-Up Visa Programme allows foreign entrepreneurs the opportunity to create a business in Canada and apply for permanent residence. 

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Saturday  (UAE kick-off times)

Leganes v Getafe (12am)​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Levante v Alaves (4pm)

Real Madrid v Sevilla (7pm)

Osasuna v Valladolid (9.30pm)

Sunday

Eibar v Atletico Madrid (12am)

Mallorca v Valencia (3pm)

Real Betis v Real Sociedad (5pm)

Villarreal v Espanyol (7pm)

Athletic Bilbao v Celta Vigo (9.30pm)

Monday

Barcelona v Granada (12am)