Culture Bites

40 Episodes
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By: The National News

Join hosts Enas Refaei and Farah Andrews as they guide you through the arts and culture scene in the UAE, the Middle East and the world. A new episode of Culture Bites drops every Thursday from The National News in Abu Dhabi.

The mighty mushroom: UAE’s desert-dwelling marvel
#96
Today at 1:55 AM

This week on Culture Bites, Enas Refaei and Farah Andrews bring attention to an often neglected but worthy force of nature − the mushroom.

Their guest in this episode, Georgina Pereira, is the species survival manager at Terra, Expo City Dubai where she works as a mushroom scientist. On the occasion of World Mushroom Day, she talks to Enas and Farah about the infinite ways that fungi shape our world: from cooking and medicinal properties, to fashion and culture, and environmental conservation.

They discuss historical Emirati traditions of foraging mushrooms and the rootedness of the species in...


Episode 93: From Arrakis to Abu Dhabi - Tracking the Dune cast in the UAE
#95
10/09/2025

In this episode of Culture Bites, Enas Refaei and Farah Andrews give the scoop on the production of Dune: Part Three in Abu Dhabi.

Filming for the third instalment of the sci-fi blockbuster is expected to start this month in the emirate’s Liwa desert. Leading cast members, including Timothee Chalamet and Zendaya, are expected to be arriving in the UAE soon. Jason Momoa was already spotted in Dubai last weekend. Farah reveals some behind the scenes details of the shoot in Abu Dhabi, including the hotel that the actors may be staying at.

In th...


Episode 92: Could the revived Hejaz railway be a healing track for the region?
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10/02/2025

This week on Culture Bites, hosts Enas Refaei and Farah Andrews tell the story of the famous Hejaz railway, as Turkey, Syria and Jordan prepare to bring a section of it back to life.

Back in the 1900s, Sultan Abdulhamid II of the Ottoman Empire envisioned a rail line that stretched from Istanbul all the way to Makkah, making pilgrimage easier. While it was never completed entirely, the railway did connect Damascus to Madinah, cutting the typical journey from a 40-day camel caravan trek to a three-day train ride. But the once prominent line fell into despair...


Episode 91: Why Drake sampling Fairuz is more complicated than you might think
#93
09/18/2025

In this episode of Culture Bites, hosts Enas Refaei and Farah Andrews react to Drake’s new track, which samples a song from the Lebanese icon Fairuz.

During a live stream to promote his upcoming album, Iceman, the Canadian hip-hop artist played a song that featured vocals from Fariuz’s 1979 hit Wahdon.

It sparked concern among Arab audiences over whether the Lebanese singer would be credited and compensated.

Enas and Farah reflect on the criticism against Western artists sampling political Arabic songs out of context. They also discuss the merits of embracing cultural elem...


Episode 90: The powerful voice of Hind Rajab
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09/11/2025

In this episode of Culture Bites, hosts Enas Refaei and Farah Andrews take a closer look at the reactions to The Voice of Hind Rajab at the Venice Film Festival.

The film uses real audio from the harrowing distress call of a five-year-old girl trapped in a car in Gaza as she came under Israeli fire. It won a Silver Lion and received a record-breaking standing ovation, but some critics called it out for using “tear-jerking tactics”.

Enas and Farah talk about the director’s response in an interview she gave to The National, and discus...


Episode 89: Storybook ending for Mosul’s famous leaning minaret
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09/04/2025

In this episode of Culture Bites, hosts Enas Refaei and Farah Andrews follow the story of Mosul’s historical landmarks from construction to destruction and finally restoration.

This week, The National’s team visited the 2,500-year-old Iraqi city to observe the completion of a seven-year UAE-led project to rebuild Al Nuri Mosque with its famous leaning minaret, as well as the churches of Our Lady of the Hour Convent and Al Tahera. After standing tall for hundreds of years, the structures were destroyed by ISIS. Now, they rise again as symbols of hope and co-existence in Mosul. The...


Episode 88: A journey through the emirates, name by name
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08/28/2025

In this episode of Culture Bites, hosts Enas Refaei and Farah Andrews trace back the origins of the seven emirates, and how they got their names.

Drawing from both official records and local narratives, they look at the connection between human activity and geography that shaped each emirate. Abu Dhabi for example derives its meaning from accounts of early settlers following a gazelle to fresh water. As for Dubai, popular theories suggest that the name stems from daba, meaning “to flow slowly” – probably a reference to the movement of vessels.

The hosts also share some of the...


Episode 87: What’s driving new generation of Arab musicians to greatness?
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08/21/2025

This week on Culture Bites, host Farah Andrews chats with her colleagues at The National about the UAE’s cultural representation in Japan, and the regional music scene.

Gaming and Culture Reporter Faisal Al Zaabi joins Farah to talk about exploring the UAE pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka. The exhibit invites visitors to appreciate the country’s past, present and future and is designed to evoke their senses through scent, sound and touch. Faisal described the nostalgia evoked by the fragrance of two million date palm fronds, arranged into towering columns. He and Farah also discuss the evolution of t...


Episode 86: From public spaces to galleries, where to find street art in the UAE
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08/14/2025

In this episode of Culture Bites, host Farah Andrews explores the intersection of cities and street art through No Trespassing, an exhibition at the Ishara Art Foundation in Dubai’s Alserkal Avenue, running until August 30.

Curated by Priyanka Mehra, the show presents six site-specific interventions that brought street materials into the gallery space.

Priyanka joins Farah in the studio to share her insights on what street art means in the UAE, common misconceptions about this form of art in the region, how it has evolved in recent years, and which neighbourhoods are becoming creative hotspots.

...


Episode 85: Culture Bites summer list - easy reads and flight-friendly flicks
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07/31/2025

On Culture Bites this week, Enas Refaei and Farah Andrews offer some inspiration for a richer summer with their recommendations of what to read, watch and see during the holidays.

For long flights, the hosts suggest skipping cinematic spectacles and opting instead for breezy, entertaining films that are more suitable for smaller screens. If video is not an option, Enas and Farah also share some ideas for podcasts and audiobooks to enjoy.

The holidays are a good time to pick up a bingeable book. Farah recommends Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez for an...


Episode 84: Spiralling therapist or kitchen chaos? What to watch first from Emmy nominations
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07/24/2025

This week on Culture Bites, hosts Enas Refaei and Farah Andrews discuss their favourites from this year’s Emmy nominations.

From dramas to comedies, some of the most highly rated TV series from 2025 have made the list, including Adolescence, The Last of Us and the latest season of The White Lotus. Some of the shows that Enas and Farah have recommended before on the podcast made the cut, such as The Bear's new season, and Shrinking, a comedy about a grieving therapist who says too much.

Also in this episode, the hosts explore the Arabic ro...


Episode 83: Is it a bird? Superman and 'winged' Zayed National Museum
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07/17/2025

In this week’s episode of Culture Bites, hosts Enas Refaei and Farah Andrews give a preview of the Zayed National Museum which is set to open in December.

The building has already become a landmark of Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Cultural District. Its five steel structures are shaped like feathers, inspired by the country’s tradition of falconry, and the museum itself will tell the story of the UAE over 300,000 years.

Enas and Farah highlight some of the main galleries to visit and notable pieces to view, including a full-scale replica of a Bronze Age Ma...


Episode 82: Tips for a kid-friendly, cultural summer in Abu Dhabi
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07/10/2025

In this episode of Culture Bites, hosts Enas Refaei and Farah Andrews offer some inspiration for an art-infused summer with respite from the heat.

Enas discusses a family day out at Saadiyat Cultural District, including a stop at teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi. The Japanese multisensory digital art concept was founded in 2001 and has expanded across the globe, most recently to the UAE where it opened a 17,000-square metre space in April. Enas tells Farah about the installations that captivated her and the interactive features her children most enjoyed.

In the entertainment world, Syrian television is...


Episode 81: Is life more fun with our phones locked away? And a look at Glastonbury surprises
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07/03/2025

On Culture Bites this week, hosts Enas Refaei and Farah Andrews talk about the perks of going phone-free during comedy shows.

Enas tells Farah about her experience of watching Dave Chappelle’s stand-up act in Abu Dhabi where the provocative comedian took to the stage for a second year in a row. Attendees had to secure their smart devices in locked pouches to ensure no one filmed the performance. The hosts reflect on how a phone-free environment can enrich the audience experience and protect the arts from being overshared and diluted.

Meanwhile, the Glastonbury Festival co...


Episode 80: How big is Abu Dhabi's role in Brad Pitt's F1 film?
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06/26/2025

In this episode of Culture Bites, hosts Enas Refaei and Farah Andrews join the hype around F1 The Movie, the thrilling motorsport film that was partly filmed in Abu Dhabi.

The National’s arts and culture editor William Mullally returns to the podcast to give his take on the film on its UAE cinema release day. He talks about the fine details that went into the production to make the race scenes as real as possible, and to capture the emotional experience of being a motorsport driver. He also gives some hints, but no spoilers, about the Ya...


Episode 79: Jaws turns 50 - Which came first, the phobia or the film?
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06/19/2025

In this episode of Culture Bites, hosts Enas Refaei and Farah Andrews are joined by The National’s arts and culture editor William Mullally to talk about Jaws to mark the film’s 50th anniversary.

The iconic shark attack film had such a massive impact in Hollywood when it was released in 1975, carving out an entire thriller genre for decades to come. In fact, people began describing hit summer films as "blockbusters" because of Jaws. The hosts discuss with William how director Steven Spielberg masterfully tapped into a primal human fear to create a work of art that...


Episode 78: Who are the pilgrims riding from Spain to Makkah on horseback, reviving an Andalusian tradition?
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06/12/2025

In this episode of Culture Bites, hosts Enas Refaei and Farah Andrews trace the journey of pilgrims who rode all the way from Spain to Makkah on horseback.

The riders crossed 6,500km over seven months to arrive at the holy site in time for Hajj. Inspired by a promise that one of them made to himself 36 years earlier, the journey recreates the Andalusian tradition performed by Muslims 500 years ago. Enas and Farah reflect on the pilgrims’ role in representing their faith and community to the world.

The hosts also discuss the South Asian and Arabic in...


Episode 77: The Urban Treasures that define Abu Dhabi
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06/05/2025

In this episode of Culture Bites, hosts Enas Refaei and Farah Andrews celebrate Abu Dhabi’s urban culture through some of its beloved local businesses.

A number of long-time establishments in the emirate have been honoured as Urban Treasures by Abu Dhabi Culture for their contribution to the commercial and cultural fabric of the capital over the past few decades. As the city grows and evolves, these pastry shops, fitness centres and even clinics thrive as historic landmarks reminiscent of a bygone era.

Enas and Farah speak to one of the honorees, Santa D Souza, ow...


Episode 76: From Gaza to Cannes: Arab films in the spotlight
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05/15/2025

This week on Culture Bites, Enas Refaei and Farah Andrews discuss some of the most promising Arab entries at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, which is running until May 24.

They tease some of the titles they’re most eager to watch, including Once Upon a Time in Gaza, a revenge thriller directed by Gaza-born twins Tarzan and Arab Nasser. Another film that’s making waves at the event this year is Swedish-Egyptian filmmaker Tarik Saleh’s Eagles of the Republic, which is competing for the Palme d’Or award. The hosts highlight the valuable role film festivals...


Episode 75: What is a foreign film production anyway?
#77
05/08/2025

This week on Culture Bites, Enas Refaei and Farah Andrews discuss Palestinian poet and writer Mosab Abu Toha, who won a Pulitzer Prize this week. He was recognised for his essays on life in war-torn Gaza, which reflect the hardships faced by Palestinians under Israeli siege.

The hosts also review the most notable looks from this week’s Met Gala, where celebrities dressed to the theme, Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.

It has been an eventful week, starting off with an announcement by US President Donald Trump that he would authorise a 100 per cent tariff on mo...


Episode 74: How Abu Dhabi is attracting Hollywood
#76
05/01/2025

In this episode of Culture Bites, Enas Refaei and Farah Andrews share some of their picks from The National’s list of the 50 most important Arabic novels of the 21st century.

The compilation reflects the diversity of the region’s modern literary scene and the influential authors whose works have impacted audiences near and far. Enas talks about the impression Alaa Al Aswany's The Yacoubian Building left on her and draws attention to the message behind Frankenstein in Baghdad, set in post-US invasion Iraq.

Farah highlights the award-winning novel A Mask, the Colour of the Sky...


Episode 73: How political should a music festival be?
#75
04/24/2025

In this episode of Culture Bites, our hosts Enas Refaei and Farah Andrews explore the unlikely connection between Moroccan traveller Ibn Battuta and Sharjah, which he chronicled in his writing.

Sharjah hosted a rich literary programme during its participation as guest of honour at the 30th Rabat International Book Fair, highlighting the historical connections between Morocco and the UAE. The famous 14th-century traveller’s journeys to the region took the spotlight at the pavilion. Enas and Farah discuss the poetic and relatable language he used to describe towns he visited in Sharjah and the growing role of th...


Episode 72: Can art really cut through the turmoil?
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04/17/2025

In a special episode of Culture Bites, Enas Refaei and Farah Andrews host the show from Art Dubai, the city's annual art fair that is taking place this week.

They share some of their recommendations for what not to miss at the event this year – including regional, international and digital art.

The hosts speak to Mirjam Varadinis, the curator of the Bawwaba section at Art Dubai, about her vision for the exhibit to imagine new forms of coexistence amid an era of turmoil. Between political upheaval and the impact of climate change, artists from all ar...


Episode 71: Taking the art out of artificial: Has AI gone too far?
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04/10/2025

This week on Culture Bites, Enas Refaei and Farah Andrews discuss the ethical consideration of using artificial intelligence to create art.

Their conversation is inspired by the recent viral trend of promoting AI generators like ChatGPT to convert personal photos into Studio Ghibli-style images. The founder of the famous Japanese animation house, Hayao Miyazaki, is staunchly critical of integrating AI into artistic designs. This led to much debate over where to draw the line when it comes to intellectual property and whether it may constitute copyright violations.

In keeping with the theme of digital innovation...


Episode 70: Why Disney’s remake of Snow White became a poisoned apple
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03/27/2025

This week on Culture Bites, Enas Refaei and Farah Andrews dig into the controversies surrounding Disney's live-action Snow White, an adaptation of the 1937 animated classic.

The film stars Rachel Zegler as Snow White and Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen. As far back as 2021, when the casting was announced, critics accused Disney of being overly politically correct for hiring a Latina actress to play Snow White.

Enas and Farah also talk about the backlash against both actresses for their political views. Gadot, who served in the Israeli army, has been vocal about her support for...


Episode 69: Why it is time to discuss the uncomfortable truth about online culture
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03/20/2025

On this week’s episode of Culture Bites, Enas Refaei and Farah Andrews discuss the Palestinian documentaries that are defying the odds amid a climate of political tension.

Oscar-winning film No Other Land has secured a Dubai-based distributor in the Mena region after failing to find a major distributor in the US. The documentary shows the struggles faced by its Palestinian co-creator as he tried to protect his West Bank village from Israeli settlers.

The hosts talk about the hurdles it has crossed to find its audience despite threats of censorship.

Enas and Fa...


Episode 68: What role will Arab talent play in renovating British Museum galleries?
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03/13/2025

This week, Culture Bites hosts Enas Refaei and Farah Andrews discuss Lebanese architect Lina Ghotmeh’s selection to renovate the British Museum’s Western Range galleries, and how this is a major recognition of and a moment of pride for Arab architects. Farah also highlights how picking Ghotmeh might signal a shift in how the British Museum is positioning itself, as it has been under pressure to return looted artefacts, particularly from the Middle East.

They also discuss Lady Gaga, who is back with a new album, Mayhem, marking her return to high-energy and electropop. Enas and Fara...


Episode 67: Why can't we watch Palestine's first Oscar-winning film?
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03/06/2025

On Culture Bites this week, Enas Refaei and Farah Andrews celebrate Palestine’s first win at the Oscars.

Co-directed by Palestinian journalist Basel Adra and Israeli journalist Yuval Abraham, No Other Land won Best Documentary Feature at the 2025 Academy Awards. It highlights the daily struggles of Palestinians enduring settler violence in the West Bank area of Masafer Yatta.

Enas and Farah describe the uphill battle for Palestinian representation and advocacy at the Oscars through the decades. They highlight the significance of the film’s win but also talk about the controversy it has stirred up, and...


Episode 66: Why it’s time for Ramy Youssef’s satire based on the Muslim-American experience in post-9/11 America
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02/27/2025

With Ramadan on its way, Enas Refaei and Farah Andrews take inspiration from the cultural happenings in the UAE and the region to reflect on the most important traditions of the holy month.

They give a preview of Alserkal Avenue’s coming Interrupting Patterns programme, which features poetry, theatre and film as platforms for community building and contemplation. They also discuss the role of Ramadan TV entertainment in bringing people together. The hosts pay tribute to the power of community in the UAE and the charitable initiatives it brings out in people.

A new animation co...


Episode 65: Can video games change how we understand history?
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02/20/2025

In this week’s episode of Culture Bites, Enas Refaei and Farah Andrews discuss a new video game about the 1948 Palestinian Nakba, talking about how gaming can be used to tell historical stories. The upcoming Dreams on a Pillow follows a Palestinian mother called Omm who, in the chaos of being forcibly removed from her home, mistakenly grabs a pillow instead of her child.

Meanwhile, the Bafta TV awards delivered some big surprises this year, with Mikey Madison taking Best Actress and Conclave winning both Best Film and Best British Film. The hosts picked their highlights from th...


Episode 64: Can MrBeast’s Giza Pyramids video promote regional tourism?
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02/13/2025

In this week’s episode of Culture Bites, Enas Refaei and Farah Andrews offer their take on the widely popular MrBeast video showing rarely seen treasures of the Egyptian pyramids in Giza.   In the video, the famous YouTuber and his vlogger friends are joined by Egyptologists as they explore hidden chambers and archaeological sites that are otherwise closed to the public. The hosts discuss the merits and challenges of content creators engaging younger audiences to take an interest in the region’s rich history and culture.   After a delayed release, Captain America: Brave New World has been released after reportedly being...


Episode 63: How Mo depicts Palestinians as more than the suffering seen on the news
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02/06/2025

In this week’s episode of Culture Bites, hosts Enas Refaei and Farah Andrews unpack the comedy and tearful moments of the second season of the Netflix series, Mo.

The National's Arts and Culture Editor, William Mullally, shares insights from his conversation with Mo Amer, the creator and lead actor of the show. He talks to the hosts about some of the most powerful moments in the hit series about the life of a Palestinian family living as refugees in Texas waiting for their asylum case to be resolved. They discuss some of the most powerful scenes fr...


Episode 62: The voice of unity - Remembering Umm Kulthum 50 years after her death
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01/30/2025

In this episode of Culture Bites, co-hosts Enas Refaei, Farah Andrews and Maan Jalal look forward to some of the most highly anticipated talks, performances and experiences at the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature taking place this week.

From Laaleen Sukhera’s celebration of 250 years of Jane Austen and The Bethlehem Banquet, hosted by chef and author Fadi Kattan, to a family-friendly event with Daniel Handler, author of A Series of Unfortunate Events, there is something for everyone to explore.

Before the Reel Palestine film festival in Dubai comes to a close, Maan sits down wi...


Episode 61: Quoz Arts Fest and Dave Chappelle’s plea for Palestine
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01/23/2025

In this week’s episode of Culture Bites, Enas Refaei, Farah Andrews and Maan Jalal look ahead to the 12th Quoz Arts Fest, which starts this weekend.

The cultural festival celebrates a variety of art, music, food and more, all coming together at Alserkal Avenue in Dubai’s Al Quoz district. Running alongside the event will be Reel Palestine, a Palestinian film festival. Movies being shown include Passing Dreams, about a young boy on a mission to find his missing bird, and A State of Passion, which follows the experience of Dr Ghassan Abu Sittah in emergency room...


Episode 60: Reality check - from The Real World to Dubai Bling
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01/16/2025

The Culture Bites team is back, kicking off with a preview of anticipated arts and culture events lined up for 2025.

Enas Refaei, Farah Andrews and Maan Jalal share some of the most exciting concerts, art fairs and book releases that they’re adding to their calendars this year. From Sting on stage and Sharjah Biennial 16 to Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's new book, this cultural season sets off with a promising start across the region and beyond.

With season three of Dubai Bling now streaming, the hosts dissect the show’s anatomy and discuss the evolution of real...


That’s a wrap: end of year special
#61
12/26/2024

As 2024 draws to a close the Culture Bites team dedicates their final episode of the year to celebrating the moments that left a significant imprint on them.

Enas Refaei, Farah Andrews and Maan Jalal look back at some of their favourite cultural experiences within the UAE and around the world. From NYU Abu Dhabi’s Between the Tides: A Gulf Quinquennial exhibition to the Andy Warhol exhibition in Dubai, they reflect on the diverse platforms that helped make art more accessible in the region.

The hosts share the books, series and films that won their he...


Episode 58: How will Syria’s cultural landscape transform?
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12/19/2024

This week’s episode of Culture Bites centres on Syria’s art scene at this delicate moment in the country’s history following the fall of president Bashar Al Assad.

Hosts Enas Refaei, Farah Andrews and Maan Jalal discuss Syria’s rich cultural heritage that dates back centuries. They discuss the impact of the civil war on its creative talents and how it might shape the art they create in the aftermath of so much pain and suffering.

A documentary about the Nabataean civilisation had its international debut at the Red Sea International Film Festival last wee...


Episode 57: Is a Roman coin about to break auction records?
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12/05/2024

This week on Culture Bites, Enas Refaei, Farah Andrews and Maan Jalal take a moment to appreciate the Emirati and Arab traditions being considered for Unesco's Intangible Cultural Heritage lists this year.

Established in 2008, the lists aim to preserve and promote cultural heritage, including practices that may be in urgent need of safeguarding. Several rituals from the region have been added to the list including henna and Palestinian Nabulsi soap-making. Another contender submitted by the UAE and other Arab countries is coffee, with all the social customs that surround it.

The hosts then look at...


Episode 56: How the UAE is making art more and more accessible
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11/28/2024

In this episode of Culture Bites, Enas Refaei and Farah Andrews shine a light on the Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial, which has turned public spaces in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain into al fresco galleries.

The event features more than 70 UAE and international artists whose installations in culturally significant sites represent the past and present. This includes the corniche and public parks in Abu Dhabi, and Al Ain Oasis. The hosts discuss the importance of accessible public art, where visitors can engage not only with the actual pieces but also with the spaces in which they...


Episode 55: Historic pieces and humble beginnings at Abu Dhabi Art
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11/21/2024

In this episode of Culture Bites, hosts Enas Refaei, Farah Andrews and Maan Jalal explore the flourishing art scene across the UAE, starting with Abu Dhabi Art which kicked off earlier this week. This year marks the biggest iteration of the event to date, featuring more than 100 galleries.

The hosts share their favourite pieces from the fair and highlight some of the most compelling exhibits to experience, including the Arab Presences: Modern Art and Decolonisation exhibition which features works from The Farjam Foundation and Beyond: Emerging Artists which displays the commissioned work of three UAE-based artists from...