During the opening of the exhibition "outside the text"Nahyan bin Mubarak: The UAE is a global center for cultural dialogue thanks to the leadership’s vision
Abu Dhabi, 14 November / WAM / His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, affirmed that the UAE, under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, “may God protect him,” attaches great importance to culture and the arts, and considers them an essential pillar in building humanity and promoting cultural openness and human communication among peoples.
This came during the opening of His Excellency the “Outside the Text” exhibition, which was launched by the “Literary Forum Salon” to celebrate the thirtieth anniversary of its founding, at the home of Mrs. Asmaa Siddiq Al-Mutawa, founder of the salon, in the presence of an elite group of dignitaries and cultural and artistic figures.
His Excellency said: Thanks to this wise vision, our country has succeeded in becoming a global center for cultural dialogue and intellectual convergence, and a beacon that radiates creativity, knowledge and peace.
He praised the salon and the exhibition, saying: We are pleased to celebrate today the thirtieth anniversary of the establishment of the Literary Forum Salon, which is an inspiring model in supporting the cultural and creative movement in the UAE, and consolidating the values of dialogue and understanding among members of society. This exhibition, which is held under the title “Outside the Text,” embodies a unique artistic vision that translates the written word into vibrant works of art, and at the same time highlights the deep integration between literature and art as two universal languages that express humans and their feelings, and unite cultures under the umbrella of common human creativity.
His Excellency added that the Literary Forum Salon, since its establishment, has been and continues to be a pioneering intellectual and cultural platform that contributes effectively to developing the literary and artistic sense of society and promotes the values of reading, discussion and openness to diverse human cultures, stressing that this rich journey represents an honorable model of the role of Emirati women in supporting cultural and creative work and enhancing the cultural presence of the UAE in the literary and artistic scene.
His Excellency concluded his statement by saying that the “Outside the Text” exhibition is not just an artistic event, but rather a celebration of the Emirati cultural memory, and an affirmation that the sincere word is able to cross generations and inspire the arts, and that creativity in the UAE is continuous and renewed, carrying our message of tolerance, beauty and humanity to the entire world.
The exhibition, held in conjunction with the Year of Society and Abu Dhabi Art events, reflects the depth of the influence of literature in inspiring new horizons of contemporary artistic expression, as it brings together an elite group of Emirati artists who have re-presented written literary texts through visual arts, music, handicrafts and interactive performances, in celebration of cultural continuity that goes beyond the limits of paper pages to be embodied in paintings, melodies, memory and imagination.
Regarding the idea of the exhibition, Asma Siddiq Al-Mutawa, founder and president of the Literary Forum Salon, said: As a member of UNESCO reading clubs around the world, the Literary Forum Salon constitutes a community space that nourishes thought, encourages dialogue, and inspires a generation of women through literature. For thirty years, the passion for the word has brought us together to read great literary works and discuss them from a conscious women’s perspective, feeling its profound impact in enriching our minds and elevating our ideas.
She added: We found that “outside the text” is the best way to celebrate the anniversary of the founding of the salon, in the same month and place that witnessed our first sessions, which I hosted specifically in my home salon. The exhibition includes artworks that embody the texts we read, carrying a clear message: “The Emirati heritage is rooted in our common identity, and its eternal, vibrant impact.”
She emphasized that outside the text is not only an exhibition; It is a living testimony to the stories, values and voices that shape our identity in artistic creations that travel through time. We extend our thanks and gratitude to His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan for his sponsorship of the exhibition and the creative talents. And to the participating Emirati artists, who embodied the slogan of the Year of Society, “Hand in Hand,” and made their art a societal message, enhancing the pride of future generations of creators in our cultural heritage, and inspiring their imagination to revive it in innovative ways. I also thanked the supporting partners and everyone who contributed to the success of the exhibition.
“Outside the Text” showcases the works of thirty of the most prominent Emirati artists, all inspired by the books and novels that the Forum discussed during its sessions, translating readable linguistic creativity in storytelling into visual image creativity in paintings, sculptures, artistic installations and digital arts.
The exhibition constitutes a new station for the Literary Forum Salon, adding to its record full of intellectual and artistic events. It also includes an archival space that displays the most prominent publications of the Salon, and a selection of documentary images, through which guests learn about an extended process of creativity and cultural communication in the Emirati scene.
The exhibition is hosted with the support of logistics partner DHL and District1795, the first digital platform in the Middle East and North Africa dedicated to learning about arts, culture and heritage.
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