About Al Burda Festival
Al Burda Festival, a biennial initiative launched in 2018 by the UAE Ministry of Culture & Youth, is a platform for engaging in cutting-edge dialogues around the present and future of Islamic arts and culture. A global space for creative leaders, scholars, artists, and community members to collaborate, exchange insights, and co-create ideas, Al Burda Festival introduces younger generations to the diversity of Islamic arts and culture, rethinks and reshapes narratives, and strengthens the position of Islamic culture on the global stage.
A crossroads of the most compelling voices from a variety of creative disciplines, Al Burda Festival celebrates Islamic creativity in all its manifestations, from traditional expressions to the exploration of future disciplines at the nexus of digital technology, culture, and society.
The first edition of Al Burda Festival was held in 2018, and ran a dynamic program of talks, workshops, masterclasses, performances, and exhibitions exploring themes such as technology, music, food, architecture, and heritage. The Festival also saw the launch of the Al Burda Endowment, an initiative that seeks to expand the reach of Islamic culture by recognising creative pioneers who embrace experimentation and reinterpretation in their approach to Islamic art and culture.
The second edition of Al Burda Festival, taking place from 19-21 December at the Dubai Exhibition Center at Expo 2020 Dubai, is held under the theme LIMINAL: The Spaces Between, and features an exciting program of in-person and virtual talks, performances, exhibitions, film screenings, and workshops, as well as the 16th edition of the Al Burda Award.
“At Al Burda Festival, we gather a global community to drive forward a vision of Islamic arts and culture that is connected and forward-looking. Al Burda is a unique platform where society, technology and the arts overlap to create a platform for exchange and ultimately, evolution.”
Minister of Culture & Youth
Event Themes
Transformed
The various disciplines that make up Islamic arts and culture have not been immune to the phenomenal changes of the last year; the COVID-19 pandemic changed everything in its wake, from individual lives to societal dynamics. This part of the program looks at the shifting perceptions on Islamic arts and culture, how cultural leaders and creatives responded to the global pandemic, and on how the industries within are adapting to this new ‘normal’.
Untold
This is where emerging narratives within the realms of Islamic arts and culture come to light. Spanning the spectrum of traditions yet to be discovered all the way to the most experimental edges of various disciplines, Untold explores the transformative power of Islamic arts and culture.
Healing
The Healing section of the program harnesses the interconnectedness and tolerance that Islamic arts and culture promote. From performances to poetry readings and screenings to exhibitions, invigorating and experimental sessions will offer audiences a space for reflection, and ideas to guide them on the path towards evolution.
Growth
Who are the new voices waiting to be heard on the global Islamic arts and culture stage? What is the new generation of cultural leaders thinking about, creating, and advocating? And how are they inspiring up-and-coming creatives? Here we discover these youthful voices, and offer a platform for honing their skills so they can shape the future.
