Culture & Education | Friday 2 March, 2018 1:20 am |

The annual Ras Al Khaimah Fine Arts Festival will celebrate the conclusion of its sixth and most successful year yet on March 2 during its Closing Red Carpet Reception at the Waldorf Astoria, Ras Al Khaimah. The festivities are open to the public and will count renowned Emirati fashion designers Eman and Elham Al Flamrzi as well as noted actors Jamal Alghailan, Mansoor Al Feeli, and Sumaya Al Khinna among its attendees.

“The 2018 Festival showcased the work of more than 70 artists and directors from around the world and drew a record number of attendees,” said Suqrat bin Bisher, Director of the Ras Al Khaimah Fine Arts Festival. “It was wonderful to experience the exchange of ideas, creativity, and talent throughout the Festival. Congratulations to all of the winners on their artistic accomplishments.”

Nine awards were presented over the course of the Festival in visual art, photography, film, recycled art, and student categories:

• K.G. Sadasivan Gopalakrishnan, Cashew Family (Jury Award: Visual Arts)
• Maheshwarappa Ninge Gowda, Fire n’ Rain (Highly Commended: Visual Arts)
• Larry Jay, Perspective (Jury Award: Photography)
• Fatima Al Hayyas, Past and Heritage (Highly Commended: Photography)
• Nayla Al Khaja, Animal (Jury Award: Narrative Film)
• Shaymaa Al Naqbi, Together We Can, (Jury Award: Documentary Film)
• Salma Sohail, Urban (Jury Award: Recycled Art)
• Spencer Hogg, Stop Selling the Planet (Jury Award: Recycled Art)
• Afreen Nizam, Black Beauty (Student Artist of the Year)

In addition, the Festival featured its latest Film Grant recipient, Ras Al Khaimah native Ahmed Hasan Ahmed, and his film Wudu. It was also the first time the Festival was organized around a theme (Sustainable Creativity) and included workshops as part of its programming.

“The new series of educational workshops were very popular amongst our local artists, students, as well as the greater Ras Al Khaimah community,” said Suqrat bin Bisher. “With the support of our partners and sponsors, we hope to continue to expand the Festival’s educational programming next year.”

The Festival’s success would not be possible without the continued support of its numerous sponsors and collaborators—especially Al Marjan Island, the first platinum sponsor in the Festival’s history.

 

“We are delighted to partner with the annual Ras Al Khaimah Fine Arts Festival, which highlights the emirate as a destination for arts and culture,” said Eng. Abdullah Al Abdooli, CEO of Al Marjan Island. “We are underlining our commitment to supporting such initiatives that put the spotlight on Ras Al Khaimah, and contribute to its evolution as a cultural and touristic hub.”

 

The Festival team would like to thank all of its participants and guests for helping to make this year’s Festival the most successful to date. The Festival is especially grateful for the support of Her Highness Sheikha Amna bint Saud Al Qasimi, Her Excellency Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, H.E. Ambassador Patrizio Fondi, H.E. Ambassador Antonio Alvarez Barthe, H.E. Mr. David Davila Estefan, and H.E. Mr. Francesco Alonso.

 

Tickets to the Closing Red Carpet Reception can be purchased at the Al Qasimi Foundation’s office or online through PlatinumList.net.