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Arabic Language Day event site.
Muhammad Yusuf, feature writer
Art lovers will be in for a treat at Umm Al Emarat Park, which hosts the award-winning art installation ‘Urban Fabric’ in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation (ADMAF). The work, which consists of a series of four sculptures of similar lines, won the 2022 Christol and Jeanne-Claude Prize. Located on the park’s Shade House lawn, it will be open to visitors until January 2, 2023.
The installation was conceived and built by NYU Abu Dhabi students Roudhah Al Mazrouei, Gerald Jason Cruz and Jennifer Tsai. The forms of the work weave and weave through the ground, representing the interconnected nature of Abu Dhabi as a city. Internationally acclaimed artist Christo and his wife and artistic partner Jeanne-Claude have been associated with the UAE for forty years.
Christo’s desire to support emerging artists in the UAE led him to create an award in his name in 2012. The artist duo have produced acclaimed artworks around the world, changing the notion of public art through the creation of temporary designs. Jeanne-Claude passed away in 2009 and Christo in 2020.
Tourists in Umm Al Emarat Park.
Umm Al Emarat Park invites art lovers to enjoy the installation outdoors, as well as the park’s calendar of events, including the Park Market, which brings the community together for a fun family day full of local food, merchandise and entertainment; for those wanting to try something new BOUNCE pop-up trailers for the folks at the Park Cinema; continuous screenings for the whole family at the Park Cinema; animal feeding and fun pony or camel rides at the Animal Barn.
Established in 1996, ADMAF is one of the first cultural foundations in the Gulf region and the Arab world. It supports the sustainability and creativity of the cultural industries and helps enrich Abu Dhabi’s status as a cultural beacon. Umm Al Emarat Park, formerly known as Mushrif Central Park, first opened to visitors in 1982. One of the oldest and largest urban parks in Abu Dhabi, it is centrally located on 15th Street between Airport Road and Karamah Street.
In 2013, Umm Al Emarat Park was closed for 24 months for reconstruction. The overall design of the new park pays homage to the legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and his vision to preserve the cultural and natural history of the United Arab Emirates. In addition, it supports a platform for “education through entertainment” for people of all ages, provides opportunities for different community sectors to achieve common goals, promotes active lifestyles, contributes to a healthy society, and encourages vibrant Local culture, heritage and traditions.
Sustainability was also a core focus of the park’s design; the project team took on the challenge of saving more than 200 existing mature trees that were over 20 years old. After extensive reconstruction, the park reopened to the public in 2015. The opening weekend attracted 25,000 visitors, an all-time high. On Arabic Language Day (18 December) and its open-air park market, Umm Al Emarat Park also hosts a series of creative activities to commemorate the contribution of the Arabic language to human civilization and culture.
Visitors enjoyed Bait Al Arabi’s puppet shows and hakawati storytelling performances; avid readers also had the opportunity to purchase Arabic-language books on display at Bait Al Arabi. Those looking for a creative outlet attended three calligraphy workshops offered by the Medusa Foundation, where participants learned how to write Arabic calligraphy on different materials such as paper or cloth and wood using the wood-burning art, in addition to a dedicated Handicrafts for drawing and painting to sew Arabic letters.
Kaza Design offers a calligraphy workshop that teaches participants how to write on bags, scarves and T-shirts. The little ones took part in an Arabic quiz held on the park’s lawn, with five lucky winners chosen each day; they also had the chance to win fun prizes. Umm Al Emarat Park also celebrated the UAE’s 50th anniversary (2 December) with a host of events including a ‘Journey to Achievement’ maze, the launch of the park’s market, a live broadcast of the official National Day celebrations and more.
As a tribute to the 50th anniversary, visitors can first visit the ‘Journey of Achievement’ maze at Umm Al Emarat Park, which highlights 50 key milestones in the UAE over 50 years. Park visitors can immerse themselves in the maze, enriching their knowledge of the UAE and learning about the country’s achievements in various fields.
Given that the park is a meeting place built on the legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed, who was known for his love of the environment and nature, the labyrinth is particularly focused on his vision of greening the desert. Storytelling sessions on UAE history, UAE-themed paintings, food and more were also held. Rasha Kablawi, Head of Corporate Affairs and Communications, Umm Al Emarat Park, said: “We are delighted to be celebrating the 50th anniversary of the UAE at the park and to celebrate the country we all call home through a variety of events that reflect the achievements of the nation. and the culture of its people.”
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