Dubai Calligraphy Biennale to kick off on October 1

Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) has revealed the start of preparations for organising the first edition of the Dubai Calligraphy Biennale that will be held from 1 to 31 October 2023 with the participation of a group of calligraphers and artists from around the world.

The Biennale celebrates the remarkable successes achieved by the Dubai International Arabic Calligraphy Exhibition over the course of 10 editions, and aims to highlight the importance of calligraphy as an expressive and aesthetic tool that embodies creativity.

The Biennale represents a new creative platform through which the Authority offers calligraphy enthusiasts a one-of-a-kind experience, opens horizons for talent and enables them to display their creations in the various elements of calligraphy. This is in line with Dubai's cultural vision, which aims to cement the emirate's position as a global centre for culture, an incubator for creativity, and a thriving hub for talent.

In its inaugural edition, the Dubai Calligraphy Biennale sheds light on calligraphy of all languages and cultures. Participation will be open to creatives across different categories: classic/traditional calligraphy, modern calligraphy, ornamentation, digital art, typography, jewellery design, product design, sculpture and public art, textile, and performance. A variety of artistic and educational workshops presented by internationally renowned artists and calligraphers will also be held.

Dr Saeed Mubarak bin Kharbash, CEO of the Arts and Literature Sector at Dubai Culture, affirmed that the Dubai Calligraphy Biennale constitutes a global platform for discovering human interaction with calligraphy and stimulates cultural exchange between societies, saying:

"The Dubai Calligraphy Biennale establishes a global art event that brings together a group of calligraphers and artists from around the world, and works to open broad horizons for them through its rich programme of exhibitions, talks and workshops that highlight the different ways of interacting with this art and its aesthetics and various designs, in addition to its contribution to encouraging emerging talent and providing them with a new educational environment.”

Bin Kharbash described the Biennale as a landmark in the history of Dubai's interest in calligraphy art, as it comes as a culmination of ten successful editions of the Dubai International Arabic Calligraphy Exhibition, affirming the important role played by the Biennale in supporting cultural tourism in Dubai and expanding its scope as one of the sources of the creative economy, which the emirate aspires to be its global capital of by 2026.

Bin Kharbash stressed the importance of enhancing creative climates in Dubai, and encouraging the active participation of the artistic community to support the cultural and creative industries, adding:

"Dubai Culture seeks to raise the level of interest in calligraphy arts and enhance its presence and attractiveness by providing opportunities to learn its origins and philosophy, in order to achieve its commitments aimed at creating a sustainable creative ecosystem that enables calligraphers and artists to promote, protect and develop calligraphy."

Dubai Culture invites all local, regional and international creatives to participate in the Dubai Calligraphy Biennale, with a new open call that is open from 16 March to 13 May. A specialised committee comprising a group of curators and experts will undertake the process of sorting the works and selecting the artists and creatives who are qualified to participate in the upcoming Biennale, whose activities will be held in a number of heritage and cultural sites belonging to Dubai Culture, in addition to the Dubai Public Library branches and particular art galleries across Dubai.

For registration please visit: https://dubaiculture.gov.ae/en/events/Calligraphy-Biennale

News Source: Dubai Media Office