United Arab Emirates
I have over 600 articles under my belt on topics as diverse as the arts (art, culture, film, music, books/literature), heritage, community and education. I've also written about business, medical, environmental, police, and general news - including the odd sports story! Nowadays though, I tend to stick to arts and culture stories.
My high-quality content is always delivered during tight deadlines, receiving positive feedback from both my editors, sources and the public.
I am based in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
A ustralian sisters Christina and Tanya Awad are rising stars among the capital's independent arts scene. As the founders of Blank Canvas Community, they organise monthly events, where participants are encouraged to let their inner artist come out and play in a creative, intimate setting, usually featuring five-metre-long blank canvases set atop tables, as well as live music and spoken poetry performances.
Music lovers in the UAE capital were enthralled by the stunning performance by American mezzo-soprano opera singer, Joyce DiDonato, on January 24. The globally-renowned performer made her debut in the Arab world at the Emirates Palace Hotel as part of the Abu Dhabi Festival 2019.
Arts (Fine/Visual/Performing Arts, Classical Music, Literature, Reviews)
Abu Dhabi Art is once again inviting art enthusiasts of all ages to Manarat Al Saadiyat for the ninth edition of the fair. Organised by the Department of Culture and Tourism, Abu Dhabi, it will feature a rich programme aimed at drawing out the creative side of visitors through a wide range of interactive workshops, talks and performances.
They are wonderfully surreal; at once still and moving, their imbedded energy both contained and flowing around the exhibition space, imbuing it with the creative spirit of their original creators.
You see them everywhere: on billboards, in magazine articles, at airports welcoming you, but you probably didn't spare much thought about them. Arabic fonts featuring modern or traditional elements have become ubiquitous in peoples' daily lives within the region that it's hard to believe that they hardly existed over 40 years ago.
The capital's most anticipated art fair is returning with an unprecedent line-up as part of its ninth edition, running from November 8 to 11 at Manarat Al Saadiyat on Saadiyat Island. Organised by the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi), Abu Dhabi Art, the annual art fair and exhibition platform, will present a rich programme for art lovers and the wider public.
Renowned photographer Steve McCurry once said: "a picture can express a universal humanism, or simply reveal a delicate and poignant truth by exposing a slice of life that might otherwise pass unnoticed." It is in that spirit that photography enthusiasts across the region have been invited to take part in the seventh edition of National Geographic Abu Dhabi's "Moments" competition.
Mohammad Hassan Alwan's phone has been ringing nonstop ever since his novel, A Small Death, won the 2017 International Prize for Arabic Fiction (Ipaf) on April 25 at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair. A Small Death By Mohammed Hasan Alwan, Dar Al Saqi, 592 pages.
Umm Al Emarat Park's open green spaces and verdant gardens are a popular destination for nature lovers of all ages, who have now been given a new opportunity to further explore the relationship between people and the environment around them.
Audience members were enthralled as the internationally-renowned Silk Road Ensemble took them on a musical journey across Italy, Turkey, India, Iraqi Kurdistan, China and Syria. The 13-member ensemble performed at the closing of the 20th edition of the Abu Dhabi Festival on March 31.
Dancers, with their ethereal beauty and subtle grace, have always been a source of fascination for Joanne Savio, from her youth to her adult life. "I have always been clumsy as a child and remain so as an adult. To witness through my camera, these beautiful and graceful beings has always been magic to me.
Arts enthusiasts rejoice - Guggenheim Abu Dhabi is launching a new exhibition this March. "The Creative Act: Performance * Process * Presence" features a breathtaking range of artworks from 29 artists representing 12 nationalities. Emphasising the 2000s, the exhibition will also include collateral archival materials to further illuminate the creative process.
It draws your gaze, mesmerising you with its hypnotic rhythm. The seven-channel video installation lures you into a world where ghostly buildings are constructed and disintegrated in a never-ending cycle of pixels and fluid lines.
Imagine this scene: a man is reading a newspaper as water slowly rises and falls, throwing him off-balance as he attempts to go about this everyday task. Part performance, part art installation, "Holoscenes" by Lars Jan is a 3,500-gallon warning about the risks of climate change.
Her artworks have been called hauntingly beautiful and surreal in their decay, and when you come face-to-face with them, those descriptions are at once apt and yet fall short of capturing their true splendour. Now, art lovers are being treated to a special exhibition of Diana Al Hadid's works, titled "Phantom Limb", at The Art Gallery at New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD Art Gallery).
ChoirFest Middle East, the annual festival celebrating the rich diversity of choral music in the region, is returning with its third edition from March 1 to 5. This year, more than 2,000 singers are taking part in the festival, of whom 1,400 are pupils from primary and secondary schools.
Each year, arts enthusiasts eagerly await the return of Abu Dhabi Art, and the upcoming edition is set to be even richer than ever. The 2015 event, which is being held from November 18 to 21 at Manarat Al Saadiyat in the Saadiyat Cultural District, has a diverse range of galleries and artists as well as an engaging public programme lined up.
Aisha Sultan is a woman of many facets - journalist, writer, director of a publishing house and a human rights champion. Among her recent achievements was the launch of her latest book in Arabic, "Cities: Travelling & Leaving", alongside four of her contemporaries at a special event at The Space, twofour54, during the Abu Dhabi Festival.
Nowadays, audiences in the UAE seem to be spoilt for choice when it comes to live performance arts, whether it is a theatre production, a ballet performance or musical concerts. These may be exclusively for babies and young children, pupils, adults, or may be something that appeals to a spectrum of the Emirati and expatriate communities.
Her love affair with food began when she was just 6 years old. Inspired to recreate some of the dishes she had seen on television by celebrated chefs Ken Hom and Madhur Jaffrey, Sabrina Ghayour pored over cookbooks searching for recipes to try out in the family kitchen.
When visiting a historical exhibition, you can expect the usual awe-inspiring and fascinating items from specific eras or cultures. However, "A History of the World in 100 Objects" has broken the traditional mould by utilising items not only of historical significance, but also those that have their place in modern society.
Business
Civil Defence (Police/Firefighting/Coast Guard)
Community (Issues, Human Interest, Features, Pofiles, Events, Opinion)
Education
Special Report: Bullied school girl ends up in coma
Employment
Entertainment (Celebrity, Film, Contemporary Music, Reviews)
A budding filmmaker, a successful crowdfunding campaign and a tragic family mystery - combine these elements and you have the makings of an intriguing documentary that is sure to keep audiences fascinated until the final credits. But "Rasheed the Film" is not just a documentary for its director, Samia Badih, an Abu Dhabi-based journalist and media consultant.
Environment
Government
Health
Heritage
The atmosphere within the exhibition space carries an ethereal quality: mesmerising in what it displays; at once a testament to the UAE's rich heritage and an intimate display of treasured familial keepsakes. Lest We Forget - Emirati Adornment: Tangible and Intangible at Warehouse421 invites visitors to admire and discover previously unknown, or little-known, elements of Emirati culture.
Housing/Property
International
Lifestyle (Food, Travel, Fashion, Reviews)
Weather
Media
NGO/Charity
Sports
Video
Press Releases
The acquisition of the licence confirms TDIC’s standing within the market as well as highlight its rich portfolio
TDIC regrets to inform you that a worker at the Louvre Abu Dhabi construction site passed away due to natural causes
Findings highlight considerable improvements in compliance in accordance with international standards
The delegation, which included senior representatives from TDIC, the Portuguese ministry and embassy, witnessed the museum’s advanced construction stages
The prestigious French school will be based in a prime location in the Saadiyat Beach District, and will offer a rich curriculum and top-quality facilities across its 33,000 square metre campus
The delegation, which included senior representatives from TDIC and TCA Abu Dhabi, the French ministry, and the museum’s architect Jean Nouvel, witnessed the museum’s advanced construction stages
The delegation, which included senior representatives from TDIC and TCA Abu Dhabi, witnessed the museum’s advanced construction stages
The llama is the first to be born on the island, which is a testament to the ongoing conservation efforts undertaken by the Conservation Team
This is the second year in a row that Sir Bani Yas has been recognised for its unique standing in the tourism market, which combines luxurious stays with a strong conservation mandate
Among the development highlights observed was the start of the installation of the external stone paving
Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC) received the Golden CSR Shield by The Arab Organisation for Social Responsibility for its robust and ongoing efforts in regards to the welfare of its workers, including those on Saadiyat island
The esteemed accolade highlights the museum’s unique architectural design that includes many exceptional features
Among the topics discussed at the meeting are the design of the Zayed National Museum and ongoing development of the Saadiyat Cultural District
The development of the 77 luxury villas started in April of 2013 to witness today its first residents move in
Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC) announced that effective immediately, Mr. Sufian Hasan Al Marzooqi has been appointed as the company’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
This construction milestone, which comes after 30 million man hours, was witnessed by TDIC’s chairman HE Ali Majed Al Mansoori and the museum’s architect Jean Nouvel during a progress update site visit
The new additions are a testament to the on-going conservation efforts being undertaken on the Island
Over 80 baby turtles emerge from nest located along Saadiyat Beach
Among the development highlights observed was advanced work on the dome where Jean Nouvel’s Rain of Light effect is starting to take shape
The delegation was given the opportunity to witness first-hand the high quality of living standards of Saadiyat construction workers
Saadiyat and Qasr Al Sarab recognised for their enduring appeal as leading destinations
Among the topics discussed are the Louvre Abu Dhabi’s construction progress and upcoming milestones
Initial construction phase of the Saadiyat Cultural District’s first residential development underway
Jawaher Saadiyat, a finely designed contemporary residence which features four to six-bedroom villas and townhouses, will be showcased at Cityscape Abu Dhabi
Following the success of its inaugural event in 2014, the race will bring sailing enthusiasts in a two-day non-stop race
Visitors can learn about its latest residential project and the various developments on Saadiyat island during the event’s three-day run
The Belgium-based specialist in museum interiors will provide more than 100 tailored cases for the museum’s permanent galleries
World-renowned museum’s architect Jean Nouvel oversees progress of construction on site, along with TDIC’s Chairman of the Board
A total of 20 Houbara Bustards will be monitored by the Sir Bani Yas Island Conservation Team before being released into the Arabian Wildlife Park
Over 2.5 million incident-free man hours completed to date on the 77 villas
The diplomats viewed the construction progress on Louvre Abu Dhabi and had first-hand experience on Saadiyat’s construction workers’ high quality living and working standards
The move was the result of the joint efforts between Sir Bani Yas Conservation Team, the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi and Al Bustan Zoological Centre
Report notes improvements in workers’ welfare and strengthened mechanisms and penalties over labour issues
The 7000-tonne dome’s lift, which was achieved through the utilisation of the latest technology, represents the latest milestone in the museum’s construction
Delegation visits the museum’s mock-up gallery and site to witness the advanced construction milestones achieved including the completion of the dome
The dome comprises 85 super-sized steel elements which have been pieced together with each piece weighing anywhere between 35 and 70 tonnes
The luxurious beachfront development is located in the Saadiyat Cultural District
Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC), master developer of major tourism, cultural and residential destinations in Abu Dhabi, hosted Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, the UAE Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development on a tour of the Louvre Abu Dhabi’s construction site
Visitors will be able to get firsthand information about the recently revealed Mamsha Al Saadiyat and its unique offerings
Mamsha Al Saadiyat, a luxurious beachfront development, will offer residents easy access to the island’s world-class museums
TDIC is pleased with new rating, which reflects the company’s commitment to delivering high-quality products
Thousands enjoyed live entertainment, raffle draws and more
Over 1,000,000 injury-free man working hours achieved to date on construction of elite seven-hectare school campus
TDIC is pleased that Gulf Labor has highlighted the company's ongoing efforts in enhancing
Saadiyat wins 'Middle East's Leading Beach Destination' award for the second consecutive year, while Qasr Al Sarab won 'UAE's Leading Desert Resort' for the third year in a row.