Dubai Dolphinarium opens

Four seals and three dolphins splashed around their new home in Dubai Wednesday on their first public appearance.

The performers include three bottle-neck dolphins - Senya, Marfa, and Kysusha brought in from Ukraine, aged between 18 to 22. Dolphins live for up to 35 years.

The four seals - Gosha, Marx, Fila and Lusha - aged between six and 10, were from the Commodore Islands.

The Dh33-million Dubai Dolphinarium at the Creek Park is the first-of-its-kind project in the UAE. Members of media witnessed the first show at the 5,000 sqm sea-water pool on Wednesday.

Three choreographed shows daily start at 10am. Entrance fee starts from Dh20 and goes up to Dh200, depending on seating, age and day. Ahmed Abdul Karim, Director of Public Parks and Horticulture Department at Dubai Municipality, said: “It is important for us to provide entertainment as well as educate the children about conservation. This centre will provide entertainment, education, therapy and research.”

The 19,000-sqm facility will offer dolphin sighting excursions, 10-30 minutes ‘swim with dolphin’ programme and a water circus show.

Moreover, dolphin theraphy for special need people will begin this summer, said Karim. “We will receive four dolphins specialised to deal with such cases. They will help provide treatment, especially for kids.”

The Dolphinarium is in talks with various special need schools in Dubai and will bring an expert from Mexico to provide treatment.

When the project was first announced in 2005, animal welfare campaigners raised concerns about the cruelty of keeping dolphins in captivity.

However, Mohammad Al Fardan, head of promotions and recreational office at Dubai Municipality said: “These dolphins are not captured from the sea. They are second generation trained dolphins. There is a lot of cruelty facing marine life like whale and dolphin hunting. We are conserving these animals and educating our children.”

Christopher Richardson, managing director of Dubai Dolphinarium, said that one of the dolphins, Marfa, was actually stuck in fishing net in Ukraine and was a rescued. “Even the four seals were for slaughter. But our marine specialist managed to negotiate saving them.”

The other two dolphins were born in a dolphinarium.

Richardson said the activity revolves around caring for the mammals in the dolphinarium. “4.5 million litres of sea water is filtered eight times a day. We have a trainer, a veterinarian, special management teams and round the clock supervision."

“Dolphins require specialised care but they are friendly mammals and enjoy interacting with the public. They are show offs, especially when it is a full-house.”


For visitors

* Show timings: 10 am, 6pm, and 9pm
* 1,250: the number visitors Dubai Dolphinarium can accommodate
* 200 – The number of dolphinariums in the world (40 are in Japan)
* $50,000-$60,000 – expenditure on each dolphin per month
* $30,000 – expenditure to keep seals per month

Ticket price

* Monday for all shows: Dh 20 for kids, Dh 30 for adults
* Tuesday-Saturday- Dh 80 for kids, Dh 120 for adults
* Sunday- off day
* Friday morning and afternoon shows-Dh25 for kids, Dh 30 for adults
* Family packages also available

/XPRESS/

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du Rocks Musical Community with Bon Jovi Live in Abu Dhabi

In-line with the series of musical and entertainment concerts which have seen international, regional and Asian artists perform for the first time in the Middle East, du, the integrated telecom service provider in the UAE is once again entertaining music fans with rock legend Bon Jovi, who will be performing live on 20 May at the Emirates Palace hotel in Abu Dhabi.

Lucky du customers will have the chance to win 50 standard tickets to the concert by simply using their mobile line in an exciting text message competition.

Commenting on the eagerly awaited show, Hala Badri, Vice President, Corporate Communications, du, said: “Our customer base is a diverse one and we want to provide everyone with entertainment that will appeal to them directly. We are also pleased to be adding to the rich entertainment sector of the UAE by bringing rock legend Bon Jovi to perform live in Abu Dhabi for the first time. ”

Fronted by lead singer Jon Bon Jovi, the group originally achieved large-scale success in the 1980s. Over the past 25 years, Bon Jovi has sold over 120 million albums worldwide, including 34 million in the United States alone. du has recently presented stage concerts for international, local and regional artists AR Rahman, Justin Timberlake, Elton John and Amr Diab, as well as the ‘Salaam India’ concert with well-known Indian playback and classical singers Asha Bhonsle, Dr. K.J Yesudas and S.P Balasubramaniam.

About du

du, the integrated telecom service provider in the UAE, launched mobile telecommunication services on 11 February 2007 across the UAE in addition to internet and pay TV services in some of the free zones of Dubai. Call Select, the first of du's nationwide Fixed line services for voice telephony, was launched in July 2007.

Among du’s many firsts is its historic Number Booking Campaign for both individuals and business, Pay by the Second billing system, Mobile TV, Mobile Payments, first of its kind ‘WoW’ recharge card (which offers customers the choice between more credit and more time) and Self Care. du business offers include Closed Business User Group and preferred International Destinations.

du’s retail network, currently numbering 16 du shops located in strategic locations across all emirates, was launched on 25 February 2007, supporting the delivery of du services to customers.

du is 40 percent owned by the UAE Federal Government, 20 percent by Mubadala Development Company, 20 percent by TECOM Investments and 20 percent by public shareholders. It is listed on the Dubai Financial Market (DFM) and trades under the name du.

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Mosques call for averting chances of divorce

Imams of mosques in UAE has called on the society to overcome momentary temperaments and avoid chances of divorce to protect family integration.
In the Friday sermon delivered at mosques across the country, the state preachers asked Muslims to show great amount of self restraint at times of family disagreements, and avoid jumping into divorce decisions.

They also called on men to patiently accept many of the trifle mistakes and harsh words spoken by their spouses, in order to perpetuate the family integration and the marital bliss.

Citing verses from the Holy Quran, the preachers reminded Muslims to resort to milder temporary solutions than taking the ultimate step of marital separation.

Sleeping on a separate bed until the wife regrets her mistake and repairs with the husband is one of them; noted the Imams.

The preachers reminded Muslims that there are several ways to mend each other after a quarrel, and divorce is permissible only when a life together is extremely impossible for both.

The permission to divorce is given only to set both partners free when a family life together becomes really impossible; UAE's Arabic newspapers quoted Imams as saying. WAM

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'The Universal Museums' Project

HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, today announced the launch of "The Universal Museums" project, which will bring together leading collections by globally-recognized museums for the first time ever, confirming his vision of Dubai as a vibrant global city that draws the world's greatest artistic and cultural assets.

"The Universal Museums" project will be located in the recently-launched Khor Dubai area, a 27 kilometre long project stretching from Shindagha to Business Bay, alongside the area's museums, performances spaces, artist ateliers, and galleries. The combined attractions of these matchless institutions will draw local, regional and international "cultural tourists", in addition to the thousands of visitors who already flock to the emirate each year.

HH Sheikh Majid bin Mohammed al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, expressed the aim of the initiative: The Universal Museums project epitomizes the essence of Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum's Vision 2015, demonstrating Dubai's potential as a site of large-scale cultural collaborations that give rise to new and innovative cultural forms in the same way that the Emirate has spurred innovations in so many other, diverse sectors.

The initiative will offer opportunities for education and for showcasing our own culture, leveraging our partners' stellar collections, and creating unprecedented multilateral exhibitions that span culture, geography and time to provide a window into what culture has been, is today, and will be in the future. The cluster of major international museums identified as 'universal museums' aim to consolidate the world's treasures into accessible and comprehensive collections that illustrate the world?s collective cultural wealth in the spirit of a world community. 'The Universal Museums' project in Dubai will provide the first physical site for collaborations between these matchless institutions.

Dr. Omar Bin Sulaiman, Managing Director of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, said: "Given the over 200 different nationalities resident in Dubai, the objective of The Universal Museums project will be to create innovative new exhibitions leveraging not only the multiple outstanding collections, but also the curatorial, managerial and educational strengths of these global museum leaders for the people of every culture living in or visiting Dubai."

The project's location in the Khor Dubai area is superb, since the Creek has been a site of international interactions for hundreds of years and has always been a popular cultural destination in its own right. Indeed, it is the cradle of Dubai's vibrant culture. The Dubai Culture and Arts Authority will work with leading global architects, Universal Museum partners and local developers to design and build the Dubai project. Global partners, including leading museums, will also be invited to participate from among the world's most prominent institutions. WAM

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Legendary Arab actor Adel Imam to perform for the first time in Dubai

Building on its unique entertainment platform, du, the integrated telecom service provider in the UAE, will host popular Arab superstar Adel Imam, to perform his famous play 'Bodyguard' for the first time in Dubai, to an audience of over 3000 nationals and Arab expats.

The United Nation’s goodwill ambassador and Egyptian cinema celebrity will perform three consecutive shows of the popular comedy in the Al Mamzar cultural theater on 15, 16 and 17 May 2008.

Hala Badri, Vice President Corporate Communications, du, said: ”The du customer base is a rich mix of cultures and nationalities, with varied interests. du's events and sponsorship strategy is built to accommodate this diversification. In line with our commitment to add life to life and bring quality international entertainment to all customers in the UAE, we are proud to be bringing one of the most talented Arab comedians here."

“Presenting this comedy in Dubai is a step further towards our goal of establishing an innovative, exciting and unique entertainment platform across the UAE. We have already brought many international artists to cater to our diverse customers’ tastes, and Adel Imam’s performance will further enrich the entertainment enjoyed by the UAE.”

Xtreme Events, the organizers of the play in Dubai, is also offering a few lucky fans the chance to win free tickets. All they have to do is SMS 'ADEL' to “7570”, from their du mobile lines.

du has exclusively sponsored a variety of live concerts across the UAE as the official Telecom Partner. It has presented superstars such as Justin Timberlake, Elton John, Amr Diab, Asha Bhonsle, Dr. K.J Yesudas and S.P Balasubramaniam for the first time in Abu Dhabi Dubai and AR Rahman in Sharjah as well.

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Dubai Can Dance

"Dubai Can Dance is loosely based on TV reality-style shows such as Strictly Come Dancing," said Mark Povey, General Manager of Marketing and Events at Transguard Group, which is organising the first-of-its-kind show in Dubai.

"We took 10 couples and trained them for 10 weeks for the main event on May 23 where they will compete in front of some 500 dinner guests," he added.

The participants have braved 10 weeks of rigorous training, learning from scratch the samba, rumba, waltz, bossa nova and other dance styles for the contest. On the big night, each couple will perform two routines.

The winning couple will be crowned Dubai Can Dance Champions.

The response has been overwhelming, said Povey. "We had to choose 10 couples from some 50 who applied.

"We have professional stylists working on each couple to make them look glamorous and spectacular. The event is going to look amazing. We even have Aton and Erin from the UK’s Strictly Come Dancing performing a routine to show us how it really should be done," he said.

He said the inspiration for the event came from the success of their White Collar Fight Nights – a corporate fight night series in Dubai. (PR)

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AR Rahman Live in Concert

du, the integrated telecom service provider in the UAE, is the official telecom partner for a special musical evening with the legend of contemporary Indian music AR Rahman on 18 April at Sharjah Cricket Stadium. He will be joined by well-known Indian music artistes Hari Haran, Sadhana Sargam, Chitra, Kailash Kher and percussionist Sivamani. AR Rahman’s last concert in Dubai in 2003 saw over 25,000 attending the show.

In the spirit of its first anniversary, du is presenting the ‘AR Rahman Live Concert’ epitomizing its commitment to bringing the best in music and entertainment to the people of the UAE.

Hala Badri, Vice President, Corporate Communications, du, said: “Music speaks every language and is a common thread that binds everyone together. du is all about connectivity and music is a platform through which we can connect to the hearts of our customers. AR Rahman’s work is contemporary and needs no introduction. We are sure he will leave an indelible mark on his music fans.”

Oasis Promotions is offering a few lucky fans the chance to win complimentary tickets. All they have to do is SMS 'arr' to 6692, from their du lines.

du has presented well-known stage concerts of artists such as Justin Timberlake, Elton John, Amr Diab and recently the ‘Salaam India’ concert with well-known Indian playback and classical singers Asha Bhonsle, Dr. K.J Yesudas and S.P Balasubramaniam.

About A R Rahman

Born in 1967 as A.S Dileep Kumar, AR Rahman is a hugely popular and critically acclaimed Indian award-winning composer, record producer and musician. He is widely regarded as one of the finest-ever Indian film composers and his career is considered a turning point in the history of Indian film music. He is also credited with re-energizing the popularity of Indian film music the world over, receiving exceedingly positive reviews and commanding fans in regions as far as the United States.

He debuted in 1992 with the movie ‘Roja’ (The Rose). TIME magazine listed the film’s sound track as one of the "Top 10 Movie Soundtracks of All Time" in 2005. To date he has sold over 100 million copies of his various film scores and sound tracks making him one of the world's top 25 all-time top selling recording artists.

Among his most notable music compositions is for the Hindi movie ‘Lagaan’ which was nominated for an Oscar in the Best Foreign Movie category. He has collaborated with Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber on ‘Bombay Dreams’ and a Mandarin movie. AR Rahman has won numerous Awards which include Padma Shree – one of the most the prestigious civilian awards from the Government of India. He composed the album ‘Pray for Me, Brother,’ for the UN's Millennium Development Goals campaign in an effort to increase awareness of poverty around the globe.

AR Rahman’s music scores cover a variety of genres, with unconventionally-grouped instruments, and different vocal styles being used and combined, to more traditional orchestral themes with leitmotif techniques composed in others. His works often feature a mix of minimalist songs and evocative, thematic pieces, building on his differing chord progressions and rhythms.

AR Rahman is trained in western classical music from the Trinity College, London. He is also trained in Carnatic music, Hindustani music and the Qawwali style and has a keen sense of experimentation. AR Rahman’s own studio ‘AM Studios’ in Chennai is considered to be the most developed, equipped and high-tech studio of Asia.

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The Cultural Observer

• The first phase of modernizing the library of Istanbul-based Research Centre for Islamic History, Art and Culture (IRCICA), based at the historic Yildiz Palace, kicked off with a grant from His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

Under the patronage of H.H Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Community Development will be organizing from 15 – 16 of April at Emirates Palace, Abu-Dhabi, the National Identity Year, 2008.

• The inauguration of an exhibition that showcases the artwork by the participants in the Sheikha Manal Young Artist Award will be held at 4:30pm, Monday 14/3/2008 at the Dubai International Financial Center (DIFC).

• Total Art Gallery is organizing an art exhibition entitled “Surfacing” at 7pm on Saturday 19/4/2008. For more information contact the following number 049475050.

• The Gulf Film Festival (GFF), a non-profit cultural event, kicks off in Dubai on April 13 and runs until April 18, 2008. The Gulf Film Festival is divided into two segments - a competition specifically for films from the Gulf region, and a script competition for short UAE films. GFF will also feature international cinema from all over the world.

• Under the Patronage of General Consul of the Republic of China, the first Chinese exhibition will be held from 9 – 14 of April 2008, at Dragon Mart Complex – Dubai.

• Art Space Gallery will be organizing an art exhibition entitled “Faces” for the artist Zacherya Al Rahmani on Tuesday 15/4/2008, for more information contact the following number 04

• Gallery 76 hosts an art exhibition titled “In your hands” on Monday, April 14, 2008. For further information, please contact 043444398.

• Children’s City in Dubai has set a weekly programme for students to visit the “Sue” Dinosaur exhibition which is created by the Field Museum of Chicago, USA, and runs until May 23, 2008.

• Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research , an exhibition of Roaming Nobel Museum entitled “Alfred Nobel: Networks of Innovation” opened at Dubai Men’s College on March 30, 2008. The exhibition runs for two months.

• Dubai Press Club organizes the Arab Media Forum 2008, on the 23rd and 24th of April 2008 at Monarch Hotel Dubai, under the theme “Technology and Integration of Arab Media”.

• Art Space Gallery organizes an exhibition for Contemporary Art from 25 March – 15 April 2008. For more information contact the following number 043325523.

• Shakespeare 4 Kidz Hamlet will be playing twice daily at the Centerpoint Theatre, Dubai Community Theatre and Arts Centre, from Monday 21st to Thursday 24th April, 2008.

• The Third Line Gallery organizes “Matin Parr Exhibition of Photos from April 02 to 14, 2008. For further information, please contact 043411367.

• The first ever exhibition of a Brazilian artist in the UAE will be held in Abu Dhabi from April 07 to 16, 2008. Artist Elizabeth Olival” will show her artworks under the theme “Sleeping Beauty” at the Cultural Foundation in Abu Dhabi.

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The Cultural Observer

• Under the patronage of H.H Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Community Development will be organizing from 15 – 16 of April at Emirates Palace, Abu-Dhabi, the National Identity Year, 2008.


• The Gulf Film Festival (GFF), a non-profit cultural event, kicks off in Dubai on April 13 and runs until April 18, 2008. The Gulf Film Festival is divided into two segments - a competition specifically for films from the Gulf region, and a script competition for short UAE films. GFF will also feature international cinema from all over the world.

• Under the Patronage of General Consul of the Republic of China, the first Chinese exhibition will be held from 9 – 14 of April 2008, at Dragon Mart Complex – Dubai.

• Art Space Gallery will be organizing an art exhibition entitled “Faces” for the artist Zacherya Al Rahmani on Tuesday 15/4/2008, for more information contact the following number 04

• Gallery 76 hosts an art exhibition titled “In your hands” on Monday, April 14, 2008. For further information, please contact 043444398.

• Children’s City in Dubai has set a weekly programme for students to visit the “Sue” Dinosaur exhibition which is created by the Field Museum of Chicago, USA, and runs until May 23, 2008.

• Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research , an exhibition of Roaming Nobel Museum entitled “Alfred Nobel: Networks of Innovation” opened at Dubai Men’s College on March 30, 2008. The exhibition runs for two months.

• Dubai Press Club organizes the Arab Media Forum 2008, on the 23rd and 24th of April 2008 at Monarch Hotel Dubai, under the theme “Technology and Integration of Arab Media”

• Art Space Gallery has hosted an exhibition that showcases the works of the Moroccan Artist Aziza Al Lawi on Tuesday 25/3/2008 .The exhibition runs until April 10, 2008. For more information contact the following number 043325523.

• The Dubai Women Association organizes “the Family, Identity of the Community…Vision & Ambitions Conference”, which will be held on April 08, and 09, 2008.

• An Art exhibition showcasing the works of the Iranian Artist Rokni Haerzadeh entitled “The Donkey, The Pagan, The Bride, The Others” will be held at B21 Gallery from 17 March – 10 April 2008. For more information visit the following website www.b21gallery.com.

• The Red Gallery organizes an art exhibition of the Vietnamese artist Thanh Chuong from the 22nd of March to the 10th of April 2008. For more information, please contact the following number 043955811 or visit the following website www.theredgallery.net .

• Art Space Gallery organizes an exhibition for Contemporary Art from 25 March – 15 April 2008. For more information contact the following number 043325523.

• Shakespeare 4 Kidz Hamlet will be playing twice daily at the Centerpoint Theatre, Dubai Community Theatre and Arts Centre, from Monday 21st to Thursday 24th April, 2008.

• The Third Line Gallery organizes “Matin Parr Exhibition of Photos from April 02 to 14, 2008. For further information, please contact 043411367.

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Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Festival continues till 2nd April

The first week of the 5th Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Festival had set a very high-standard of musical quality and pushed audience enthusiasm to frantic levels.

Indeed, after the world class performances of the London Philharmonic, the powerful and soulful revival of Arabic Classics with Asmma Monaoar and Khaled Selim and the Bolshoi triumph, one might have wondered what this 5th Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Festival had in stock to keep up with such ground-breaking performances.

The challenge was met by ADMAF on the evening on the 29th of March at the Emirates Palace Auditorium. Indeed, the Bolshoi Orchestra was there again that evening, but not to play to the gravity-defying, ever so graceful dancers, but to a different type of other-worldly talents: opera singers.

In this Opera Gala, Anna Netrebko, the internationally acclaimed soprano performed with the graceful mezzo-soprano Elina Garanca and the no-less talented Erwin Schrott to a full house comprising His Excellency Khaldoon Mubarak, Chairman of the Executive Affairs Authority and CEO of Mubadala, His Royal Highness Prince Michael of Kent and many distinguished guests from the Emirati and foreign community.

A detail was telling of the expectations raised by the sweeping international attention this 5th Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Festival has drawn: two Kuwaiti visitors confessed they had come specially from their home country to attend this evening?s performance.

The first half of this evening's performance was Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's and began with Le Nozze de Figaro's Overture: a fitting choice to debut this Opera Gala as the energetic, immensely pleasing opening statement of this famous W.A. Mozart masterpiece gave a sampler of how melodic, powerful and quite simply merely entertaining the rest of this evening would be. Alexander Vedernikov's conducting was generous and energetic as he skilfully led the orchestra and the audience into this evening of opera.

Enter the divas! Netrebko and Garanca appeared on the stage in glittering dresses, looking stunning: if their appearance had anything to do with their performance, it promised to be stellar. And indeed it was. Their performance of the love duet "Ah perdona il primo affetto" was vibrant and engulfed the audience in all the emotion the Opera has to offer. The audience thundered in applause as the two singers left the stage.

Erwinn Schrott appeared, bringing his relaxed, friendly charm to the stage: his interpretation of the Don Giovanni extract ?Madamina, il catalogo e questo' was extraordinary: in addition to the perfect singing, the audience simply saw a wonderful actor's performance. Working the stage playfully; skilfully involving the audience and the orchestra in his rendition of the list of Don Giovanni?s many conquests across Europe, Schrott demonstrated how the Opera was not only about vocal skill but about emotion, acting and storytelling, making it an immensely elaborate and entertaining form of music. This was followed by another excerpt of "La Clemenza di Tito" in which Elina Garanca lent her commanding presence and her perfect performance to this piece, literally hypnotizing the audience.

Another of the many highlights of this first part of the Gala dedicated to Mozart was "D'Oreste D'Aiace" performed by Netrebko. Quite the opposite of the playful Don Giovanni excerpt, this tormented and anguished piece provided an extraordinary opportunity for Netrebko to propel the audience in another world, that of anger and madness of her character Electra. Netrebko's mastery was such that her virtuosity never was the issue: it was simply and powerfully serving the notes of Mozart and this terribly expressive song that accelerates and stops, bursts in laughter of dementia and is absolutely unpredictable as can be anger and madness. The audience hit new heights of frenzy as it clapped on and on to salute Netrebko's perfectly tormented performance.

T he three singers returned to the stage after a March from Idomeneo in order to perform "Soave sia il vento", one of the songs that sets the story of Mozart's "Cosi fan Tutte" in motion: Schrott's Don Alfonso was acted perfectly as were Netrebko and Garanca playing the two fianc's wishing gentle winds to the men they love: Don Alfonso's deceitful friendliness and both women's shared concern for their loves was a powerful and very unique combination, based on moving individual performances, but just as much on an intricate chemistry between the performers. This perfect balance served Mozart and the audience superbly.

The audience avidly applauded, already missing Netrebko's, Garanca's and Schrott's magic, be it only for a short intermission. The conversations amongst the festival-goers during the interval gave the clear impression that the audience that night was a mix of seasoned opera lovers and first-timers: an interesting, yet challenging mix, as the program and performance could easily loose one part of the audience, while catering to another part. Based on the enthusiastic applause in the auditorium moments earlier, but also on the very interesting conversations between opera fans and opera debutants, one could feel that the excellence of the performances that evening combined with the very smart programming made this Opera Gala directly speak to the heart and soul of all present. Quality has this equalizing effect: it simply elevates all those that it touches to the same levels of bliss. This was definitely the case in the Emirates Palace auditorium that evening, during the first part of the Opera Gala. It would be even more so moments later, when the audience regrouped for what would be one of the defining moments of the 5th Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Festival" The Bolshoi orchestra did not leave anytime for pause for the audience: Verdi's "La Forza del Destino's" Overture masterfully cast a cloud of threat and power, those of destiny as the title indicates, over the auditorium. A very fitting introduction as the following piece was one from Verdi's Macbeth. Demonstrating the range of his voice and his acting, Erwin Schrott returned to the stage to perform a riveting song over the course of which General Banco expresses his feelings that threat looms over him. The beginning of that song was particularly impressive on the part of Schrott as much as the orchestra: indeed, the singer's a cappella performance was nothing less than perfect, engulfing the audience in the General's sense of doom, while the orchestra responded ever so lightly, in both a moving performance and one that let Schrott?s acting and singing fill the auditorium. The audience could only salute such heights with powerful, spontaneous applause. WAM

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Massive cultural project "Khor Dubai" announced

A massive cultural project is to transform the banks of Dubai Creek into a ‘living museum,’ with an opera house, galleries, theatres and arts workshops covering over 20 kilometres, it was announced on Wednesday.

‘Khor Dubai,’ a national project to be built by the public and private sectors, will include more than 10 thematic museums, starting with the Messenger Mohammed Museum, and nine public libraries dedicated to poetry, music and literature.
Commencing at Shindagha, Dubai’s oldest neighbourhood at the mouth of Dubai Creek, it will stretch to the commercial district Business Bay, creating “the most comprehensive cultural destination in the world,” according to DIFC governor Omar Bin Sulaiman.

“Khor Dubai will be a unique area that will combine the past and the present to lay down the foundations for the future, merging the cultures of the world with icons of literature, art and creativity,” chairman of the recently established Dubai Culture & Arts Authority Sheikh Majid bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktroum said at the launch.

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Dubai Creek Cultural Project

Vice President, Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Wednesday launched the Dubai Creek Cultural Project, which will transform Dubai into world cultural centre and UAE into a global dialogue cultural platform.

Sheikh Mohammed expressed his pride about this cultural project, which aims at reviving and preserving "our heritage", describing it as a "documentary to history and legacy of our forefathers".

The celebration was held at the late Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum's heritage home in Al Shindagah.

HH Sheikh Majid bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, chairman of the Dubai Foundation for Culture and Arts, said at the event that as per instructions of Sheikh Mohammed "we launched today the Dubai Creek Cultural Project, which reflects vision of Dubai Strategic Plan for year 2015".

He noted that the project will be added to other heritage landmarks, such as Al Shindagah, Al Bastakiya, Old Souqs, historic buildings, seaports, bringing the number of heritage landmarks to 72.

He added that the foundation has decided to make museum of prophet Mohammed (PBUH) as it first project. WAM

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The fourth Ismaili Centre in the world will be opened in Dubai

The Ismaili Centre in Dubai will be opened on March 26 by The Aga Khan. As the fourth Ismaili Centre in the world and the first in the Middle East, the opening of this centre is historic for the community.

Situated on Oud Metha Road, the centre introduces a timeless statement of Islamic architecture to the contemporary landscape of the Middle East. With the state-of-the-art facilities for lectures, presentations, seminars and conferences, the Ismaili Centre Dubai will host initiatives to enrich dialogue in areas of social, economic and cultural endeavour as well as recitals and exhibitions to educate people on Islamic heritage. Source

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Two Evenings of Dance and Music

As part of the ongoing Season of Arts, Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) is delighted to announce two special dance and music events at DIFC, The Gate.

The famous Ornina Dance Band will enthrall audiences with performances of folk dances from across the Arab world. The performance will feature Bedouin, Syrian, Lebanese and Gulf folk dances.

Location: The Gate; Date: 24th March; Time: 7.00pm - 7.30pm & 8.00pm - 8.30pm

The UAE Philharmonic Orchestra will perform a mix of classical, Arabic and popular music. The concert will start with exquisite Arabic-inspired pieces and will resume with the all-time favourite "Themes from 007 Movies".

Location: The Gate; Date: 26th March; Time: 7.30pm - 9.00pm

The performances are part of the Season of Arts - a DIFC lifestyle celebration of all forms of artistic disciplines; from visual to performing and musical to interactive expressions.

Both performances are open to the public and are free of charge.

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" Arabian Sands "

M.A. Film Production FZ-LLC announced the release of "Arabian Sands" for first time in celluloid in theatres in Dubai.
The film portrays the journey of a great European explorer with the nomadic camel-breeding Bedu in a harsh land where no thought of a world other than their own existed. No man can live this life and remain unchanged.

As the film represents U.A.E. and the Southern Arabia before the oil boom, we recommend you to see the film in order to get an insight of a heritage now almost disappeared and be part in the success of U.A.E.'s film industry.

The film is being shown in the following theaters for a few days only. The film is in Arabic & English with corresponding subtitles and the duration is one and a half hours.

Dubai:
Mall of the Emirates 4:00pm, 6:00pm, 8:00pm, 10:00pm
Deira City Centre 4:00pm, 6:00pm, 8:00pm, 10:00pm

Abu Dhabi:
Marina Mall 4:00pm, 6:00pm, 8:00pm, 10:00pm

Sharjah & Ajman:
AjmanCity Centre 3:15pm, 5:15pm, 7:15pm, 9:15pm

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Dubai plans Prophet Mohammed museum

A museum devoted to the life and message of the Prophet Mohammed is to be established in Dubai, charting his legacy for the world’s 1.3 billion Muslims, it was announced on Tuesday.

The project, to be implemented by the newly-created Dubai Authority for Culture and the Arts, (DACA) will be the first of its kind in the world.

“We wanted the Prophet's museum to be the first initiative by the authority, which was inspired by the leadership and pioneering spirit of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH)," chairman Sheikh Mayed Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum told emirates news agency Wam.

“The museum will stand as evidence that Dubai is serious about extending bridges not only between the East and West, but between the Islamic nations and the rest of the world as well,” Sheikh Mayed continued.

Beginning with the pre-Islamic stage, the museum will document the Prophet’s birth, marriage, revelation and prophecy, the call to Islam, first Hijrah from Mecca To Medina, wide-range call to Islam and the Conquest of Mecca, through to the Farewell Pilgrimage and his death.

There will also be a section devoted to the Haj and Umrah pilgrimages and a further area for the pillars of Islam. Source

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Dubai Culture and Arts Authority launched

HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, vice president and prime minister of the UAE and ruler of Dubai, today issued a decree establishing the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority.

He also issued another decree appointing HH Sheikh Mayed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum as Chairman of Culture and Arts Authority, and Dr Omar bin Sulaiman as member of the board and managing director in Charge.

The authority has been mandated with creating a culture and Arts infrastructure that positions Dubai as a vibrant, global city helping to shape 21st Century culture and arts in the region and the world. It will be at the forefront of the culture strategy, set out by Sheikh Mohammed as part of the overall Dubai Strategy 2015.

Dr Omar Bin Sulaiman, Board Member and Managing Director in Charge of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority said "The Authority will build on Dubai's status as one of the most multicultural cities in the world, where East meets West, and will actively encourage Dubai's community that embraces over 200 nationalities living and working together in harmony to contribute to the culture and heritage renaissance." He added that the launch of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority reflects Sheikh Mohammed's belief that culture and arts can make a major contribution to the social development of Dubai and the UAE. Building bridges and celebrating cultures from around the region and the world are key elements of Sheikh Mohammed's culture and heritage vision.

Sulaiman noted as developing and delivering outstanding international, regional and local cultural programming, the Culture and Arts Authority will support local and home grown talent and productions. It will work to preserve and promote local Emirati heritage, while, at the same time attracting the world's leading artists and cultural thinkers to become part of Dubai's modern renaissance. It will also promote and export Dubai's arts and culture to the region and the world.

The board of directors consists of Mohammed Al Murr, vice chairman, Dr Omar bin Sulaiman as member of the board and managing director in Charge, and members of Sheikh Majed Jaber Hamoud Al Sabah; HE Reem Ibrahim Al Hashemi, Paulo Coelho, Kito Mark Antonio De Boer, Omar Obaid Ghubash, Abdul Hameed Mohammed Juma, Yasser Saeed Hareb, Dr Aisha Khalifa Bulkhair, Dr Lamees Hamdan Al Shamsi, Shamsa Majed Quraiban, and Saeb Eigner.

The authority will develop a world-class arts and cultural infrastructure in Dubai. It will focus on creating an environment for creativity and innovation in visual arts, theatre, music, literature, poetry and various other arts. Several new cultural, arts and heritage entities will be created to drive innovative programs in all culture areas by working directly with leading global partners, arts organisations and Dubai's multicultural communities, will also be established.

A key part of the authority's work will be to incorporate arts and culture into the daily lifestyle of Dubai and use the arts to create synergies between Dubai's different cultures and to build a strong, unique cultural identity for all of Dubai. (WAM)

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Global Village closes

Fireworks exploded into the dark skies above Dubailand to celebrate the final night at the venue, which houses a myriad cultures in one destination.

The low-key finale included raffle draws for a Hummer as well as a week-long family trip to Florida, USA.

Its numerous pavilions have attracted all nationalities keen to get a glimpse of different cultures in one hit.

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Law setting up a body for organisation of events

Vice President, Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, issued in his capacity as a ruler of Dubai, a law setting up the Foundation for Management and Organisation of Events, at capital AED150 million.

Sheikh Mohammed also issued two decrees appointing HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, as a chairman of the foundation and Saeed Hussein as chief executive. The two decrees become effective from the date of publishing.

The new body will be autonomous in regard to finance and administration. It aims at boosting position of Dubai emirate as a centre for conferences, exhibitions, sports and cultural sessions. The foundation will exclusively represent the emirate in signing agreements with international sports organistations with exception of football and equestrian. It will also set policies and specifications in regard to sports, cultural sessions, as well as conferences and exhibitions within its jurisdiction.

As per this law, the foundation will woo international companies, organisations, agencies, clubs, conferences and exhibitions to invest in Dubai. It will also sponsor human resources in the cultural and sports fields. The foundation will contribute in development of cultural and sports sessions in the emirate through attracting the best world-class experiences and international specifications and standards.

According to article 9, the foundation will be headed by a chairman to be appointed by a decree from Dubai ruler.

The new law annuls decree number 2 of year 1989, which set up Dubai Golf Foundation, Dubai Creek Golf and Emirates Golf Association. Hence, all the agreements and obligations of these annulled bodies will be referred to the new foundation. The employees of these bodies will be referred to the new foundation with all their acquired rights. (WAM)

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Dubai Police Museum reopens

The Dubai Police Museum located at the Dubai Police general headquarters was re-opened by Dubai Police Chief Lieutenant-General Dhahi Khalfan Tamim on Thursday.
The museum, established in 1956, had closed two years ago after a fire destroyed a lot of exhibits.

The Director of the General Department of Community Services in Dubai Police, Abdul Rahman Rafee, said the refurbished museum has a display of old and new photographs of Dubai Police, weapons and tools used by the force in the past, old and new weapons and a collection of anti-riot devices, tools and equipment used in police stations, achievements by the police in combating the drug menace, and police exhibits in the GCC states.

The museum also includes photographs of the first Dubai policeman and the police circular issued 37 years ago.

Also on display are anti-narcotics, criminal investigation and forensic exhibits, with a separate area for exhibits related to Dubai Prison.

The museum is open to the public from 8am to 2pm on weekdays. Source

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