Dubai : Culture .

This year has witnessed some outstanding highlights on the culture of the UAE, starting from the announcement of the UK-UAE 2017 year of cultural collaboration launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, along with His Royal Highnesses Prince Charles, Prince of Wales last November and continuing with several exhibitions the latest being the Saatchi Gallery in London which hosted the beautiful work of Her Highness Sheikha Khawla Bint Ahmed Khalifa Al Suwaidi, Wife of His Highness Sheikh Tahnoon Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, The UAE National Security Advisor.
We had the honor to meet Dr. Hamed Bin Mohamed Khalifa Al Suwaidi, The Abu Dhabi Patron of the National Portrait Gallery in London and Fellow of The Royal Society for Encouragement of Arts, Manufacturers and Commerce, United Kingdom, where he had shared some of the most intimate and precious insights on the Emirati house filled with passion, values and culture.

Despite having spent his education years in the United Kingdome; Dr. Al Suwaidi maintained his love and passion to his culture and country and held a special place in his heart for the national poetry and arts. Dr. Al Suwaidi has expressed great interest in Mother of The Nation Festival held in March 2017 in the capital Abu Dhabi and in his Aunt’s exhibition currently being held in London as these events celebrates the success of great achievements of the Emirati women.

He starts by explaining more about his great aunt, Ousha bint Khalifa Al Suwaidi, also known as Fatat Al-Arab (The Girl of Arabia), one of the renowned Emirati poets. “She is a dear senior family member and have spent many days with her listening to her poetry and in fact were together in the last pilgrimage she has performed in Mecca in 2002”. He continues: “She was brought up in a century where women did not have the freedom they have today, however, she was greatly supported by her grandfather who insisted that she peruses her passion in writing poetry where she produced outstanding work especially in Arabic Nabati Poems. The first issue of her poem was produced by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum is the Vice President, Minister of Defense and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and ruler of Dubai and her work was first displayed in the Women’s Museum in Dubai.

My aunt, Sheikha Khawla Bint Ahmed Khalifa Al Suwaidi, followed the footsteps of her aunt in her love for poetry and arts as she was raised in a house that loved education, arts and culture. Reading was her first hobby and she was greatly supported by her father, His Excellency Ahmed Khalifa Al Suwaidi, the Personal Representative to His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates. She has produced lots of national, emotional and intellectual poems sending outstanding and enthusiastic messages in her words making them a beacon used in many occasions. We are very proud of her exhibition being held now in Saatchi Gallery in London as the first UK solo exhibition for her featuring a range of Andalusian - Arab calligraphy inspired by her poetry, titles "Love and Peace Letters with Ink and Paper. The exhibition has already witness a very large turnout and is continuing until the 18th of August.

As you were raised in a home inspired by culture and poetry, how do you classify your taste in Arabic literature?

I find great passion in ready Emirati poetry, also known as National of Nabati poetry, as this reminds me of the companionship to wonderful personalities that have shaped my youth days and our county. I highly encourage the younger generation to listen to such poetry and one of my personal favorites being for Sheikh Zayed encouraging the youth to rise and contribute to building and growing their country.

How do you find the current achievements in promoting arts and culture in the UAE?

I believe there is high interest from our belovedleadership in promoting the cultural presence in the UAE. There are many activities being performed by the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority to promote our culture through various activities and festivals and this has become a key element and attraction to tourists from around the world. Further, the announcement of 2017 as the UK-UAE Year of Culture by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces and Their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall, shows strong commitment to our culture and to celebrating it internationally.

Finally, being the son of the UAE and having been surrounded by a wealth of culture and poets, what is your message to the young Emirati poets?

I advise them to fulfill their passion and celebrate it and that by respecting and preserving our culture is a key element in heading to a stronger future. Our country has provided us with luxurious means in all fields including education and culture by providing scholarships, festivals and special programs to grow the skills of those with passion. Therefore, I would say “Go for it and preserve the culture of our ancestors”.