Festivals draw people from all walks of life, whether it’s for music, art, or fashion. We can all agree that festivals are a major draw. Festivals are becoming more popular and diverse in the Middle East, with important cultural and cinematic festivals bridging the divide between East and West.
Abu Simbel Sun Festival
The Abu Simbel Sun Festival takes place twice a year, on February 22nd and October 22nd, in the south of Egypt. This falls on the anniversary of Ramesses’ ascension to the kingdom in February, as well as his birthday in October. The statues in this temple room portray Ra, Ramesses, Amun, and Ptah. Ramesses is enthroned among the gods because he was regarded as a celestial creature as well as a pharaoh. As a result, between February 22nd and October 22nd each year, light fills the temple, illuminating three of the four sculptures; Ptah, the deity of darkness, stays forever dark. The sun shines down on the temple corridor, which spans over 200 feet in order to reach these statues.
Festival-goers typically gather early in the morning to see the sunrise over the innermost temple room. When the statues fall back into the shade as the sun rises higher, everyone eats, drinks, and celebrates. Traditional singers and dancers are typically present during this festival.
Sole DXB
Sole DXB, street footwear, music, art, and lifestyle festival in Dubai, will take place from December 9-11 as one of the city’s most anticipated events. The festival, which acts as the primary experiential platform for the world’s best organizations, includes live music performances, DJ sets, film screenings, talks, seminars, and sports tournaments. Following a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19, everyone is looking forward to a stunning return and a jam-packed three-night spectacle this year.
During the three-night event, over 36,000 individuals met over 100 artists, designers, presenters, and sponsors. Wu-Tang Clan, Nas, Koffee, Sho Madjozi, Skepta, Stormzy, Hiroshi Fujiwara, Petra Collins, Scottie Pippen, Kerby-Jean Raymond, and a slew of other artists have performed at the festival.
Sandbox Festival 2022
Sandbox Festival, which takes place on Egypt’s beaches from May 26 to 28, is an exciting music festival that brings together some of the world’s best singers for a wonderful weekend by the sea. This is a three-day electronic music festival held in El Gouna, Egypt’s coastal resort town about a half-hour drive north of Hurghada. Live entertainment is provided by established DJs, live performers, and producers, as well as up-and-coming local talent. This year’s headliners include Ahmed Samy, Doomaz, and Gene on Earth.
The Garden Show
The Beirut Hippodrome will host the Garden Show & Spring Festival from June 8 to 11, 2022, which is Beirut’s premier open-air event. Over 220 exhibitors will be on hand to demonstrate a wide selection of garden and floral retail products, delectable food, and the best of outdoor living! The Garden Show & Spring Festival also takes place at the same time as Travel Lebanon, Lebanon’s first tourism-related event. Over 60 local tour businesses and NGOs will promote the packages across the country.
There will also be flower-themed workshops and competitions to assist individuals to develop an appreciation for flowers and trees and connect with Mother Nature.
Abu Dhabi Art Fair
The department of culture and tourism produced this art expo with the goal of promoting Abu Dhabi’s culture and tourism sectors’ long-term growth, fueling economic success, and assisting Abu Dhabi in achieving its greater global ambitions. The Abu Dhabi Art Fair is a visual arts event that brings together local and international galleries to sell artworks as well as exhibitions, artist commissions, and installations. This year’s event takes place from November 16 to November 20. In addition, the fair’s visual campaign will be developed in collaboration with artists in order to encourage young artists to portray their work and participate in the art show.
It also provides participating galleries with a major sales platform as well as an opportunity to showcase ambitious installations and site-specific works by their artists to a bigger audience.