Magzoid Magazine - Luxury Magazine in the Creative Space | April 2023

Sikka Art and Design
Festival
The Al Fahidi Heritage Area in Dubai hosts
the Sikka Art and Design Festival every year for
ten days. The festival features over 60 events,
including 35 art exhibitions, 15 workshops,
and 10 performances over a span of 10 days.
The festival has attracted over 75,000 visitors
in the past. Since 2011, Dubai Culture, the
city’s specialized authority on heritage, arts,
and culture, has been in charge of planning
and executing the event. The Arabic word
for “alleyway,” “Sikka,” aptly describes the
festival’s mission to bring culture to the city’s
lesser-known lanes and nooks in Dubai’s old
town. The festival’s goal is to give new and
upcoming artists, designers, and craftspeople
in the area a chance to gain exposure to their
work. The festival features presentations by
renowned artists, designers, and cultural
specialists, as well as exhibitions, installations,
workshops, musical and dance performances,
film screenings, and discussions.
The Sikka Art and Design Festival has grown
into a major cultural event in Dubai, drawing in
connoisseurs, designers, and tourists from all
over the globe. When it comes to highlighting
Dubai’s rich creative landscape and tradition,
the festival has been instrumental. The emirate
hopes to attract artists and creative minds
across the world, and this event shall serve it
in achieving that goal.
The Dubai Festival for
Youth Theatre
The Dubai Festival for Youth Theatre is an
annual two-week celebration of local theatre,
organized by the Dubai Culture and Arts
Authority. It has grown to become one of the most
important events in the local theatre calendar.
The festival provides a platform for young Emirati
talent to showcase their creativity and innovation
in theatre, as well as an opportunity to learn
and develop their skills through workshops
and training sessions. Each year, the festival
attracts a large number of participants from
across the UAE, with over 200 participants
taking part in the 2021 edition. The festival
also attracts a large audience, with over 5,000
people attending the performances in 2021.
It aims to promote the role of theatre in the
UAE, encourage young people to participate
in theatre, and provide a platform for local
talents to compete and be recognized. The
festival also promotes Emirati theatre heritage
and includes events such as the Youth Theatre
Forum, short plays, and an exhibition. One
unique feature of the festival is the Youth Theatre
Forum, which provides a platform for young
theatre enthusiasts to discuss and share their
ideas and experiences. The forum also provides
an opportunity for young people to network
and connect with other like-minded individuals,
helping to build a vibrant and supportive theatre
community in the UAE. The festival has also
been recognized for its efforts to support and
promote women’s participation in theatre. It
features a dedicated program called “Women
in Theatre,” which encourages and empowers
female participants to take an active role in
the theatre industry. In addition to providing
a platform for young talents, the festival also
aims to develop the local theatre industry by
providing scientific courses, training workshops,
and networking opportunities for professionals.
This helps to build a sustainable and vibrant
theatre industry in the UAE.
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