Culture & Education | Sunday 24 December, 2017 12:42 am |

Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), the Emirate’s dedicated entity for culture, arts and heritage, has hosted the Dubai Culture Charity Auction – an initiative that was announced earlier this year – in partnership with Christie's Auction House in London.

 

The Dubai Culture Charity Auction was inspired by the UAE’s Year of Giving 2017 and featured two valuable paintings by Emirati artist Abdul Qader Al Rais. The auction generated over AED 500,000 of proceeds, which will be donated to the UAE Red Crescent to support its humanitarian projects and initiatives. 

 

Khalil Abdulwahid, Manager of Visual Arts section at Dubai Culture, commented: “Dubai Culture is committed to supporting the UAE Year of Giving 2017 and our joint venture with Christie’s offered Dubai Culture Charity Auction attendees a real opportunity to give back to an important cause, while also inspiring a young generation of artists to commit their talent to the greater good wherever possible. The initiative reflected the collaborative spirit of the Year of Giving 2017 and its three key pillars of social responsibility, volunteering, and serving the nation.”

 

Abdulwahid added: “We are proud to have furthered the Authority’s mandates and the vision of our wise leadership with this new and exciting partnership, which is a valued endorsement of Dubai’s thriving artistic scene and its position as a key philanthropic leader, not only in the Middle East but also on the global stage. We are hugely grateful for the support of the UAE Red Crescent, an Authority aiming to spread the culture of voluntary work, and Christie’s – a name that is synonymous with extraordinary art, centuries of artistic expertise and the world’s most celebrated auctions.”

 

 

Mohammed Abdullah Al Haj Al Zarooni, Director of the Emirates Red Crescent, expressed his thanks and appreciation to Dubai Culture and all organisers of the charity auction. He also praised the initiative, which was fully aligned with the Year of Giving 2017 initiative as it highlighted cooperation and partnership between international private and public sector organisations. 

 

Al Zarooni added: “Such initiatives support the humanitarian projects and programmes of the UAE Red Crescent, which aims to support society at a local and international level.”

 

Abdul Qader Rais, commented: “We are always keen to support efforts and initiatives that contribute to spreading good, especially if they are geared toward serving the nation and those in need, and enhancing happiness and positivity among citizens, residents and visitors from all segments of the UAE’s society.”

 

Dubai Culture aims to enhance Dubai’s cultural scene and draw attention to the Emirate’s rich heritage with a variety of initiatives that take place throughout the year. The Authority’s mandate is to build bridges of constructive dialogue between different civilisations and cultures through enriching initiatives that benefit the Emirate’s citizens, residents and visitors.