Ras Al Khaimah, <\/span>February <\/span>4<\/span>th,<\/span> 2023<\/span>:<\/span> The 11<\/span>th<\/span> edition of the Ras Al Khaimah Fine Arts Festival (RAKFAF) <\/span>officially <\/span>open<\/span>ed<\/span> to the public <\/span>last night, <\/span>at the Al <\/span>Jazeera <\/span>Al Hamra Heritage Village <\/span>\u2013<\/span> the historic home of the ancient Al <\/span>Za\u2019ab<\/span> tribe<\/span> and pearling <\/span>village dating<\/span>back to the 17<\/span>th<\/span> century<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah<\/span>,<\/span> open<\/span>ed<\/span> this year\u2019s festival, <\/span>showcasing<\/span> the talent of more than 120 local and international artists from over 35 countries under the theme of <\/span>Nature<\/span>.<\/span> The <\/span>t<\/span>heme is inspired by the region\u2019s \u2018Arabian Almond\u2019 and celebrates the connection of the Emirate\u2019s cultural heritage with its natural beauty and its efforts <\/span>to preserve<\/span> the environment for a sustainable future.<\/span><\/p>\n Remarking on last night\u2019s opening, <\/span>H.H.<\/span> Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi<\/span> said: <\/span>\u201c<\/span>The arts enhance opportunities for meaningful engagement and communication between communities and nations, instilled with noble values of peace, harmony<\/span>,<\/span> and tolerance that <\/span>drive<\/span> the development of progressive communities <\/span>and promote<\/span> a deep sense of culture and history.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n “We, in Ras Al Khaimah, are deeply proud of our culture and heritage, and of our privileged geographic position at the confluence of civilizations<\/span>.<\/span> W<\/span>e are committed to continuing our support of local artists, to celebrate their creative endeavors that reflect our rich history and culture,\u201d added H.H. Sheikh Saud. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah also praised the organizers of the 11<\/span>th<\/span> edition of the Ras Al Khaimah Fine Arts Festival, the annual cultural event <\/span>and prominent<\/span> international platform <\/span>for<\/span>cross-cultural exchange between creatives and thought leaders from a range of sectors,<\/span> which<\/span>provides an opportunity for artists to display creative works that elevate the social, <\/span>cultural<\/span> and economic development of the Emirate.<\/span><\/p>\n Alongside <\/span>H.H. Sheikh Saud<\/span>, <\/span>high<\/span>–<\/span>profile <\/span>dignitaries from<\/span> several<\/span> countries <\/span>a<\/span>ttend<\/span>ed<\/span> the event to celebrate<\/span> incredible talent from<\/span> creatives<\/span> around the world.<\/span><\/p>\n In <\/span>attendance were <\/span>H<\/span>.E.<\/span> Catherine Colonna, Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs of the Republic of France<\/span>;<\/span> H<\/span>.E.<\/span> Lody<\/span> Embrechts<\/span> Ambassador of Kingdom of Netherlands<\/span>; <\/span>H.E<\/span>.<\/span>Meghan <\/span>Gregonis<\/span>,<\/span> Consul General of the U<\/span>nited States in Dubai and the Northern Emirates; <\/span>H.E. Sean Murphy<\/span>,<\/span> Charge <\/span>d\u2019Affaire<\/span>s<\/span> of <\/span>the <\/span>US Embassy<\/span>; <\/span>H<\/span>.<\/span>E. Sybille Pfaff<\/span>,<\/span> Consul General of Germany<\/span>; <\/span>H.E<\/span>.<\/span> Nathalie Kennedy<\/span>,<\/span> Consul General of <\/span>France <\/span>in Dubai and the Northern Emirates<\/span>;<\/span> H.E<\/span>.<\/span> Byung<\/span>–<\/span>Jun Moon<\/span>,<\/span> Consul General of the Republic of Korea<\/span> in Dubai and the Northern Emirates; <\/span>H.E<\/span>.<\/span> Raziff<\/span> Aljunied<\/span>,<\/span> Consul General of Singapore<\/span> in Dubai and the Northern Emirates<\/span>; <\/span>H.E<\/span>.<\/span> Sione<\/span> Sonata<\/span>,<\/span> Minister-Counsellor at Embassy of the Kingdom of Tonga<\/span>. <\/span><\/p>\n This year\u2019s RAKFAF will engage the community through diverse cultural and creative experiences. <\/span>From art <\/span>to <\/span>heritage talks, pet-oriented events, <\/span>each weekend in February will feature <\/span>thematic programs<\/span>,<\/span> including <\/span>art workshops, musical performances, film screenings and much more<\/span>.<\/span> The exhibition will remain open until the end of March.<\/span> The organizers expect <\/span>over 35<\/span>,<\/span>000<\/span> v<\/span>isitors from the UAE and around the world to visit RAKFAF in the next <\/span>two months<\/span>. <\/span>All events and exhibitions are free to attend. <\/span><\/p>\n H.E. Raki Phillips, CEO of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA)<\/span>,<\/span>stated<\/span>: \u201cAs one of our beloved historical sites in the <\/span>E<\/span>mirate, I am thrilled to see Al Jazeera Al Hamra transformed during the Ras Al Khaimah Fine Arts Festival. What makes this festival so unique is the depth of talent, art and creativity that transforms this site and our destination into one that is based on diversity, <\/span>inclusion<\/span> and optimism.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Natasha Ridge, founding Executive Director of the Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi Foundation for Policy Research<\/span>,<\/span> sa<\/span>id<\/span>: <\/span>\u201cHere at the foundation, we are passionate about driving forward creative and collaborative approaches that elevate the social, cultural, and economic development of Ras Al Khaimah and the United Arab Emirates. The 2023 RAKFAF reinforces the presence of Ras Al Khaimah at the heart of the UAE\u2019s art and cultural scene. Beyond art, the <\/span>Festival<\/span> is also an inspiring and engaging community event with various exciting activities for <\/span>one and all<\/span>. This year, we are delighted to host a talented pool of artists, sculptors, photographers, <\/span>filmmakers<\/span> and <\/span>poets from across the globe who interpret \u2018Nature\u2019 through their own unique perspectives. This provides us with greater opportunities to learn about, and from, each other<\/span> in order<\/span> to<\/span> foster stronger cultural connections between all those who attend and participate.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n The 11<\/span>th<\/span>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.rakmediaoffice.ae\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/IMG_4655-300x200.jpg\")
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