Dubai is home to a plethora of festivals and events. And it’s no secret that the Emirates and its residents take their culture and legacy seriously and passionately. So, the reflection of this is quite visible in their celebrations and festivals. Keeping up with this sentiment, there’s something fantastic scheduled for this weekend. Hint – it’s happening in the Al Fahidi Neighborhood. If you haven’t guessed, we’re talking about the 11th Edition of the Sikka Art & Design Festival Of Dubai. Yes, this sought-after event is returning and here’s all you need to know about it!
What Is Sikka Art & Design Festival?
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For those who aren’t aware, Sikka Art & Design Festival falls under the Dubai Art Season umbrella and is a flagship event. This vibrant fiesta will be host to a variety of original creative events and activities. The best bit? It displays the works of Emirati artists as well as artists from the UAE and the GCC every year! Yes, and this year will be the festival’s 11th edition, which will take place from February 25 to March 5, 2023. Did you know Her Highness Sheikh Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, is the event’s patron?
What’s In Store For Habibis & Habibtis For The Next Two Weekends?
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The 11th Sikka Art and Design Festival’s theme takes its inspiration from the imagination, the power of colour, and the works of art that emerge on blank canvases. This year, Sikka is being presented in a special way by Dubai Culture in an environment that inspires creativity and celebrates the arts, music, film, and design, among other events.
This year, Sikka plans to take the variety of artistic endeavours and performances up by a notch! Yes, visitors can anticipate 13 houses, each of which will feature various forms of art, installations, digital works, and interactive spaces. Like —
- Sikka House
- Talli House
- Bait Al Film Supported By Al Marmoom
- Photography House
- Digital Arts House
- Khaleeji House
- House45 By The Workshop Dxb: Urban Culture
- Bait Al Khazaf, and more.
Doesn’t it all sound super exciting?
Why Should You Visit??
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Oh, there’s just so much there to see and do. Like Talli House, Sikka’s newest addition, aims to offer new artworks influenced by the Al Talli craft. As it happens, the festival is set to display six murals and nine outdoor installations.
And if you’re an artist, then you’d be pleased to know that the festival will be hosting over 100 panel discussions, talks, and workshops! Yes, they will emphasise the progress of the art sector and its global trends. Seems like a lot to cover in two weekends, doesn’t it? In fact, the 10 days of this festival will also boast 80+ live performances, cinema screenings, photo walks, and even supper screenings.
Over 188 Emirati and creative professionals from the UAE and the GCC are participating in the festival this year. Every participant has worked hard to create and find inspiration in the festival’s theme, “New Creativity. Same Road.” So, it’s definitely going to be a treat for the art lover in you!
The festival, which takes place in the heart of Old Dubai, offers a singular platform for Emirati and UAE and GCC-based artists. So, they get to highlight their inventiveness and artistry.
As it happens, visitors can take in the uplifting journey as well as the cultural and artistic insights that convey Dubai’s goals to become the capital of the creative economy by 2026. The festival offers aspiring artists a chance to write fresh triumph tales in the context of their interactions with the cultural industries. You can consider them the primary drivers of Dubai’s expansion and economic expansion.
RTA Dubai will work closely with Dubai Culture to offer a variety of transportation alternatives that facilitate easy accessibility to the festival
But, What About The Food?
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Oh, well! That’s taken care of, too! Apart from the artistic displays the festival also has arrangements for F&B Service for guests. An array of home-grown eateries are expected to be lined up at the venue. The eateries will provide you with different cuisines ranging from traditional Emirati to International. Dine at Mamarama, The Grotto, Pinza, Yi Fang, Ugly Noodles, Mirzam, Blu Matcha and more participating brands!
Phew! That was a lot to take in, no? Well, so mark your calendars to witness the exuberance of the Sikka Art & Design festival 2023 and make the most of your weekend! Believe us, it is the place to be!
Where: Al Fahidi Neighborhood
When: 24th Feb to 5th March 2023
Cover Image Courtesy: Internal
First Published: February 24, 2023 7:23 PM