UAE: Ras Al Khaimah Art Festival ‘Breaks Boundaries’ with Nature as Theme

The latest edition of RAKFAF is presented by the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA).

The 2023 theme “Pushing the Boundaries” showcases artists’ interpretations of nature conveyed through the senses, emphasizing the creative minds of painters, sculptors, designers, filmmakers and photographers to create “immersive experiences” for audiences.

From arts to heritage talks, pet-oriented events, themed weekend programming, art workshops, music performances, film screenings and more, RAKFAF will engage the community through diverse cultural and creative experiences.

Alfio Tommasini, Festival Curator and Artistic Director of RAKFAF, said: “The perception of nature around us always begins with a journey within us. For those who transform it into an art form , to share with us a personal sensibility in order to stimulate our curiosity and show us the many possibilities of expressing it.”

He added: “Ras Al Khaimah as a region is a fascinating desert in itself, including the rich heritage of Al Hamra Heritage Village – a site carved from clay, sand and coral. RAKFAF is a meaningful Connecting the Dots brings together artists from around the world to interact and showcase their unique art depicting nature in all its forms.”

RAKFAF will also host the first ever Middle Eastern culinary tour hosted by chefs Paolo and Kelly Picarazzi of award-winning Australian restaurant Antica Australis. Inspired by Ras Al Khaimah organic farms and foraged natural flora, the team will curate a special four-course Italian-Emirati fusion menu.

The festival will also host the Middle East premiere of Miki Mistrati’s documentary, Chocolate Wars. The film will be followed by a panel discussion moderated by human rights lawyer Terry Collingsworth to shed light on the ethical sourcing of cocoa and chocolate production. Attendees will also be able to enjoy outdoor screenings of other foreign films hosted by VOX Cinemas, including films from the Korean Consulate General in Dubai, the French Embassy and Consulate General in the UAE, and the Institut de France.

This year, RAKFAF will hold six special exhibitions in collaboration with their cultural partners, including Marinko Sudac Foundation, US Embassy in UAE, Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Abu Dhabi, Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Dubai, France in Dubai, FLICK Camera . celebrating unity and diversity, each bayt (meaning “house” in arabic) will serve as a dedicated space for these partners to interpret and define nature in their own way.

Ahead of next week’s opening, Suqrat bin Bisher, chairman of the Ras Al Khaimah Fine Arts Festival, said: “Inspired by our regional treasure, the Arabian almond, this year’s festival prompts us to reconsider our relationship to our natural environment and its impact on our lives. , and what we can do to preserve it for future generations. I am proud to see so many talented artists displaying their creative understanding of nature through a range of modern art forms.”