Cultural identity in the UAE is a rich blend of traditional Arab, Islamic and contemporary elements. Following the foundation of the state and the increased availability of educational opportunities private and public cultural centers and libraries began to spring up around the country, helping to promote cultural awareness and assisting in the preservation of the country’s rich heritage. The main objective of the Ministry of Information and Culture is to promote and support the country's cultural activities at home and abroad. The Ministry has under its administration 11 public libraries throughout the state's seven emirates. This is in addition to 30 cultural groups, which perform dance, drama and music during festivals, exhibitions and ceremonies in the UAE or held outside the country. The Ministry's Cultural Department also plays an important role, publishing books related to heritage, culture art and theatre, organizing lectures, seminars and other cultural activities and participating in international book fairs. The Ministry 's Exhibitions Department participates in international exhibitions which serve to introduce the UAE’s rich heritage to a global audience.
UAE CULTURAL ORGANIZATIONS
Prominent cultural centers and organizations are: the Cultural Foundation in Abu Dhabi, the Cultural and Scientific Fo rum in Dubai, the Department of Culture and Information in Sharjah, the Fujairah Cultural Organization, the Studies and Archives Center in Ras al-Khaimah, and the Juma Al Majid Center. Significant too in the promotion of cultural activities are annual awards such as the Sultan Al Owais Award, the Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Award and the Sheikha Fatima bint Hazza Award. Other institutions which continue to make meaningful contributions to cultural awareness include the National Heritage Revival Organization and the Marriage Fund.
The Cultural Foundation in Abu Dhabi is made up of three major institutions, the Arts and Culture Establishment, the National Library and the National Archives. Recently, the Center for Documentation and Research, which was originally part of the Cultural Foundation, has transferred to the President’s Office. The National Library contains a large collection of books known as the Gulf and Arabian Peninsula Library, a significant collection of manuscripts and an online database. Its publishing section has in recent times been very active, issuing a wide selection of books on science, art, heritage and historical subjects. There is also a section for the production of compact discs, audio and videocassettes of selected programmes and publications.
In Dubai the Culture and Scientific Fo rum has organized a number of cultural activities, including the annual Rashid Award which honors UAE graduates with distinctions in various subjects. Sharjah has a wide range of cultural institutions. Notable among them is the Department of Culture and Information which organizes the annual book fair in November. It also organizes annual cultural and technical festivals for children and the Sharjah Arts Biennial, an international event which attracts artists from all over the world.
Other cultural events include the Sharjah Award for Arab Creativity. In recognition of Sharjah's outstanding role in promoting Arab and Islamic culture the emirate was chosen by the Arab League as the Arab City of Culture in 1998. In Fujairah an active cultural role is being played by the Fujairah Cultural Organization with the assistance of lectures and seminars. The Ras al-Khaimah Studies and Archives Center is another institution whose cultural role in the country cannot be over emphasized. The center aims to present to the world the true picture of the Arabian Gulf and its history, a target also set for the Abu Dhabi-based Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research (ECSSR) which specializes in the analysis of local and international issues.
To consolidate the drive for cultural awareness among the country's youth a number of sports and cultural clubs were set up in addition to newspapers, magazines, radio and TV channels which enriched the artistic and cultural life of the community. Substantial capital investment has also been made in establishing state-of-the art museums, as well as renovating and conserving historic monuments and sites.
EMIRATES CENTER FOR STRATEGIC STUDIES AND RESEARCH
The ECSSR, founded in 1994, has the biggest specialist library in the country and has produced a large number of books on subjects such as politics, economics, defence, science and environment. In particular, the ECSSR’s efforts in conducting dialogue and analyzing political, economic and social issues pertinent to the UAE, the Gulf and the Arab world, were highlighted in the center's annual book released in December 1998. The center attracts a wide range of specialists who are assigned to study and analyze issues of vital importance to the state and to propose possible strategies to manage such issues. The ECSSR's aim is to promote global exchange of ideas and it welcomes association with like-minded institutions around the world. The center also aims to develop the analytical and research skills of UAE nationals so that they will be equipped to manage the ever increasing complexities of the future. To achieve its goals the ECSSR has held conferences, hosted academic gatherings and encouraged scholarly research in the four years since its inception.
The center is also establishing an electronic database that will serve as a comprehensive source of information on issues of importance to the Gulf region.
MUSEUMS AND HERITAGE VILLAGES
The UAE has a wide range of museums and heritage villages which provide a fascinating introduction to its traditional lifestyle, offering a host of authentic experiences, such as an evening sitting around a campfire drinking gahwah (Arabic coffee) while a camp guide describes bedouin crafts and customs. Other experiences capture the ancient techniques and traditional culture associated with village life, boating and pearl diving through reconstructions of dhows, old souqs (marketplaces), winter settlements and date gardens.
Several of the emirates’ magnificent old forts house museums full of items of archaeo-logical, natural history and ethnographic interest. Here too, one can find vivid reconstructions of town and country life. Other purpose-built museums use the latest interactive media to tell the story of the country’s ancient past or illustrate the wonders of nature. Audio-visual displays, computer games and scaled models of ancient settlements have all been utilized to interpret the past and the present.
In Dubai and Sharjah, whole streets have been restored to their former glory. Particularly interesting in terms of vernacular architecture are windrowers which are designed to catch even the slightest bre eze and funnel the cooler air down to the court y a rd houses, providing the visitor with first-hand experience of this early form of air-conditioning. Narrow streets wind between white-washed walls, with copper-studded wooden doors giving access to shaded courtyards and traditionally-furnished houses.
ZAYED PRIZE FOR HERITAGE AND HISTORY
A recent development in the move to preserve the country’s heritage is the creation of the Zayed Prize for Heritage and History. This is to be awarded for outstanding research conducted by individuals or establishments on the heritage and history of the country. The award has an important role to play in highlighting local and Islamic heritage and researchers are urged to pay attention to the documentation of heritage through seminars and conferences.
THEATRE INSTITUTE
The Sharjah Higher Institute for Theatrical Arts (SHITA) was officially opened in March 1999 by HH Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah. The first of its kind in the UAE, SHITA was set up by Dr Sheikh Sultan during the ‘Eight Sharjah Theatre Days 1998’ in an initiative to enhance the local theatrical movement Located at the Arts Square in Old Sharjah, the new building includes two theatres seating 280 and 250 people respectively and also comprises a library, an administrative section and other services.
SHEIKH MOHAMMED CENTER
The Sheikh Mohammed Center for Cultural Understanding, an institution for the introduction and presentation of Arab culture, was formally inaugurated in March 1999. The unique project, under the patronage of Dubai Crown Prince and Defence Minister General Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, aims to familiarise expatriates with various facets of local culture. The Center will conduct familiarization and Arabic language courses as well as lectures on Islam, in addition to guided tours to local homes and places of worship. It will also house a comprehensive library, gift and book shops, a café and a large meeting room.
EXPO 2000 AT HANOVER
The Exhibitions Department of the Ministry of Information and Culture had hardly recovered from an exhausting but highly successful participation in EXPO 1998 in Lisbon before it became deeply invo l ved in preparations for EXPO 2000 at Hanover. The success of its participation at Lisbon is confirmed by the fact that the UAE pavilion was officially ranked as the third most popular pavilion for the whole exhibition. This was a remarkable performance against all the world's major countries. The theme of EXPO 2000, due to open on 1 June 2000, is ‘Humankind, Technology and Nature’. The UAE pavilion design is based upon Al Jahili fort, built approximately 100 years ago, which has a characteristic large round tower and a series of interconnected buildings protecting a large courtyard. The pavilion will house a series of exhibits, beginning with a ‘walk through time’ that takes the visitor through the different periods of the UAE's past. Guests will be guided from there to a traditional village complete with local craftsmen and women. A traditional coffee shop will contrast with a modern cybercafé, bringing visitors to the present era. Gardens will reflect the UAE's culture and a unique film will be shown in the round tower. A key feature of the UAE's participation at Hanover will be displays by its folklore team which performs local dances and songs, reflecting on the modern UAE's strong links with its traditional past.
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