As the world celebrates World Creativity & Innovation Day on April 21, one can’t help but notice the rich cultural legacy of several of the Arab Gulf states’ towns.
Buraidah: City for gastronomy
This peaceful city has been designated as a gastronomic creative city. Unlike other business cities in the Kingdom, Buraidah’s economy is heavily reliant on culinary activities, which have aided the expansion of the creative and cultural sectors significantly. Despite their natural predilection for oasis crops, Buraidah’s agriculturalists had incredible success with cereals and were able to give a wide range of components needed in the production of unique local dishes.
Al-Ahsa: Crafts and folk art
Al-Ahsa city, which covers 379 square kilometers and is home to 1.3 million people, is also in the Kingdom and is known for being the world’s largest palm tree oasis. Al-Ahsa is known for its magnificent handicrafts, which attract tourists who come to see and admire these works of traditional art. Despite the development of superior technology in the Kingdom, the residents of this city insisted on passing down their craftsmanship from generation to generation.
Muharraq: Traditional pearl jewelry design
Muharraq is recognised for its calligraphy and traditional pearl jewelry designs. Architectural design and urban layout, which make Muharraq particularly unique, are among the features that bring visitors to this city. Every year, Muharraq has public events, cultural activities, and festivals. These events provide merchants and designers with the opportunity to show off some of their wares to the general audience.
Doha: City of landmarks
Doha, Qatar’s capital, has also managed to preserve some of the country’s historic traditions and customs. The famed Museum of Islamic Art, which shows 14 centuries of art from Qatar and other Islamic countries, is one of Doha’s most famous attractions. Doha also includes the futuristic National Museum of Qatar, which exhibits modern art that appeals to a wide range of preferences.
Abu Dhabi: Emphasis on music
Abu Dhabi, the UAE’s capital, is a must-see for music fans. With its towers and superb infrastructure, this modern city is solidifying its status as a vibrant cultural hub, with a focus on music. The music industry in Abu Dhabi has exploded in recent years, with over 600 enterprises in this sector alone. These companies now employ over 4,000 people who work in the music industry. In order to maintain connection to the country’s history, some of these businesses have preserved and even promoted traditional and folk music.
Dubai: Architecture
Dubai has solidified its place as a design hotspot. This cosmopolitan metropolis, with its spectacular highrise buildings, has made significant investments in both modern and traditional designs, and has launched Downtown Design, one of the premier Expos in the Middle East and South Asia, to that end. The Dubai Design District was completed as part of the government’s effort to put design and innovation at the forefront of its priorities.
Sharjah: Crafts and folk art
Sharjah has been a focal point for cultural and traditional preservation in the United Arab Emirates. In addition to its cultural heritage sites and museums, Sharjah has been trying to encourage different traditional crafts, such as ‘Talli’ weaving. Sharjah was adamant about supporting its crafts and folk art sector with initiatives like the Bidwa Initiative. The Bidwa initiative, which employs over 60 craftsmen, has garnered international renown for its vocational training and assistance programme, which helps merchants develop their skills and break into new markets.