The 11th edition of the Sikka Art and Design Festival will begin on February 24 and run through March 5 in the Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood, at the heart of Old Dubai. The festival, which is a major component of Dubai’s creative scene and is part of the Dubai Art Season, supports the emirate’s goal to establish itself as a major cultural hub, an incubator for innovation, and a thriving center for talent.
This year, Sikka will feature a variety of artistic endeavors and performances spread across 13 houses. These houses include Sikka House, Khaleeji House, Bait Al Film House, Digital Arts House, Photography House, Bait Al Khazaf, and Talli House, which is Sikka’s newest addition and aims to offer fresh works of art influenced by the Al Talli craft. Each house will feature a different type of art, installations, digital pieces, and various interactive spaces.
In addition to hosting over 100 panels, talks, and workshops highlighting the developments of the arts sector and its global trends, as well as a variety of cinema, music, and entertainment activities and performances, the festival will also feature six murals and nine outdoor installations. The numerous poetry evenings that will also be held in this motivating setting showcase Dubai’s artistic potential.
“The festival provides a unique platform for Emirati and UAE & GCC-based talents to showcase their creativity and artistic innovations at the heart of Old Dubai, where visitors can witness the inspiring journey and the cultural and artistic experiences that express Dubai’s aspirations to be the capital of the creative economy by 2026,” said Noor Khalfan Al Roumi, Sikka Art & Design Festival Project Manager.
Al Roumi added: “This year, we seek to present an exceptional edition that highlights the developments and successes made by Sikka Art and Design Festival on the local and regional scene over the past decade. It reflects the Authority’s commitment to creating a sustainable creative ecosystem that contributes to enabling artists to display their artistic and cultural works in the open spaces provided by the festival.”
More than 188 Emirati and creatives from the UAE and the GCC are taking part in the festival this year. All of them worked to develop and find inspiration for the festival’s theme, “New Creativity. Same Path.” In collaboration with a group of gifted artists, the Al Jalila Cultural Centre for Children is taking part in this year’s edition and presenting a program jam-packed with events and training workshops. By participating, you can encourage kids’ cultural awareness and inspire them to express their creativity and grow their artistic skills.
The Roads and Transport Authority in Dubai will work with Dubai Culture to provide a number of options and alternatives that facilitate public access to the festival, where they can use public transportation, like buses and the metro, keeping in mind that the activities run from 4 p.m. until midnight on weekends and from 5 p.m. until 11 p.m. on all weekdays.
