The Pingyao International Photography Festival will run from September 19 to 23, and features the work of art student Mezna Alzaidi along with her classmates. Photo: Zayed University
The Pingyao International Photography Festival will run from September 19 to 23, and features the work of art student Mezna Alzaidi along with her classmates. Photo: Zayed University
The Pingyao International Photography Festival will run from September 19 to 23, and features the work of art student Mezna Alzaidi along with her classmates. Photo: Zayed University
The Pingyao International Photography Festival will run from September 19 to 23, and features the work of art student Mezna Alzaidi along with her classmates. Photo: Zayed University

Zayed University students put work on show at Chinese International Photography Festival


Maan Jalal
  • English
  • Arabic

Work by a group of art students from Zayed University (ZU) is about to be showcased in the Pingyao International Photography Festival in China.

Running until September 23, the renowned annual festival in the ancient city of Pingyao is a celebration of work by established, emerging and amateur photographers from around the world.

Eight ZU students will be presenting their work in a group exhibition entitled Ephemeral Spaces. Hiba Alhashmi, Hoor Albedwawi, Loulwa Al Ali, Mezna Alzaidi, Mi Alwheibi, Safiya Baawadha, Shouq Alhammadi and Wafaa Alyammayi explore the intersection between the medium of photography and concepts of space, time, perception, local history and personal cartography.

“The participation of students at the festival represents a valuable cross-cultural outreach opportunity,” said associate professor of art Ioannis Galanopoulos-Papavasileiou. “This is of great significance, not only to Zayed University, but also to the festival and the broader photography community.”

Photography by art student Hiba Alhashmi from Zayed University is deliberately abstract in nature. Photo: Zayed University
Photography by art student Hiba Alhashmi from Zayed University is deliberately abstract in nature. Photo: Zayed University

The students' show examines the contrast between what is permanent and what is fleeting. Galanopoulos-Papavasileiou said the students selected are relatively new to photography.

“For the work of these students to be selected for exhibition at such a prestigious international event is a testament to the fact that young artists from the UAE have a solid grasp of the conceptual, technical, aesthetic and societal dimensions of photographic practice,” he said. “The increasing global recognition of UAE-based artists further confirms their high standing in the international art community.

“It’s crucial for students to gain exposure to international festivals even before they graduate. These festivals build confidence, encouraging the students to step beyond their comfort zones.”

Galanopoulos-Papavasileiou, who will deliver a keynote lecture on the current challenges in photographic education, has his own solo exhibition at the festival. Internal Landscapes, is an exploration of health imagery and the roles, value and functions of these images within society.

A photograph by art student from Zayed University Mi Alwheibi, part of the group show Ephemeral Spaces at The Pingyao International Photography Festival in China. Photo: Zayed University
A photograph by art student from Zayed University Mi Alwheibi, part of the group show Ephemeral Spaces at The Pingyao International Photography Festival in China. Photo: Zayed University

While the student show and his solo show differ, Galanopoulos-Papavasileiou sees a point of convergence between them. “The exhibitions are complementary in that one explores transforming outdoor spaces, while the other examines internal views of the human body, which can be perceived as areas, borders, or territories,” he said.

Galanopoulos-Papavasileiou hopes that showing the work of students at the festival will inspire them to become full-time artists. “I hope they feel inspired and empowered by art, unafraid to build, experiment, and share their work with the public, even if they feel they are not yet ready to take the spotlight,” he said. “Most importantly, I encourage them to commit to a cause, remain patient, and nurture creative resilience in order to achieve both group and individual goals.”

The Pingyao International Photography Festival will run from September 19 to 23 showcasing the work of art students from the College of Arts and Creative Enterprises at Zayed University.

Two-step truce

The UN-brokered ceasefire deal for Hodeidah will be implemented in two stages, with the first to be completed before the New Year begins, according to the Arab Coalition supporting the Yemeni government.

By midnight on December 31, the Houthi rebels will have to withdraw from the ports of Hodeidah, Ras Issa and Al Saqef, coalition officials told The National. 

The second stage will be the complete withdrawal of all pro-government forces and rebels from Hodeidah city, to be completed by midnight on January 7.

The process is to be overseen by a Redeployment Co-ordination Committee (RCC) comprising UN monitors and representatives of the government and the rebels.

The agreement also calls the deployment of UN-supervised neutral forces in the city and the establishment of humanitarian corridors to ensure distribution of aid across the country.

World Cricket League Division 2

In Windhoek, Namibia - Top two teams qualify for the World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe, which starts on March 4.

UAE fixtures

Thursday, February 8 v Kenya; Friday, February v Canada; Sunday, February 11 v Nepal; Monday, February 12 v Oman; Wednesday, February 14 v Namibia; Thursday, February 15 final

Winners

Best Men's Player of the Year: Kylian Mbappe (PSG)

Maradona Award for Best Goal Scorer of the Year: Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)

TikTok Fans’ Player of the Year: Robert Lewandowski

Top Goal Scorer of All Time: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)

Best Women's Player of the Year: Alexia Putellas (Barcelona)

Best Men's Club of the Year: Chelsea

Best Women's Club of the Year: Barcelona

Best Defender of the Year: Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus/Italy)

Best Goalkeeper of the Year: Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG/Italy)

Best Coach of the Year: Roberto Mancini (Italy)

Best National Team of the Year: Italy 

Best Agent of the Year: Federico Pastorello

Best Sporting Director of the Year: Txiki Begiristain (Manchester City)

Player Career Award: Ronaldinho

Global state-owned investor ranking by size

1.

United States

2.

China

3.

UAE

4.

Japan

5

Norway

6.

Canada

7.

Singapore

8.

Australia

9.

Saudi Arabia

10.

South Korea

The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting

2. Prayer

3. Hajj

4. Shahada

5. Zakat 

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Tributes from the UAE's personal finance community

• Sebastien Aguilar, who heads SimplyFI.org, a non-profit community where people learn to invest Bogleheads’ style

“It is thanks to Jack Bogle’s work that this community exists and thanks to his work that many investors now get the full benefits of long term, buy and hold stock market investing.

Compared to the industry, investing using the common sense approach of a Boglehead saves a lot in costs and guarantees higher returns than the average actively managed fund over the long term. 

From a personal perspective, learning how to invest using Bogle’s approach was a turning point in my life. I quickly realised there was no point chasing returns and paying expensive advisers or platforms. Once money is taken care off, you can work on what truly matters, such as family, relationships or other projects. I owe Jack Bogle for that.”

• Sam Instone, director of financial advisory firm AES International

"Thought to have saved investors over a trillion dollars, Jack Bogle’s ideas truly changed the way the world invests. Shaped by his own personal experiences, his philosophy and basic rules for investors challenged the status quo of a self-interested global industry and eventually prevailed.  Loathed by many big companies and commission-driven salespeople, he has transformed the way well-informed investors and professional advisers make decisions."

• Demos Kyprianou, a board member of SimplyFI.org

"Jack Bogle for me was a rebel, a revolutionary who changed the industry and gave the little guy like me, a chance. He was also a mentor who inspired me to take the leap and take control of my own finances."

• Steve Cronin, founder of DeadSimpleSaving.com

"Obsessed with reducing fees, Jack Bogle structured Vanguard to be owned by its clients – that way the priority would be fee minimisation for clients rather than profit maximisation for the company.

His real gift to us has been the ability to invest in the stock market (buy and hold for the long term) rather than be forced to speculate (try to make profits in the shorter term) or even worse have others speculate on our behalf.

Bogle has given countless investors the ability to get on with their life while growing their wealth in the background as fast as possible. The Financial Independence movement would barely exist without this."

• Zach Holz, who blogs about financial independence at The Happiest Teacher

"Jack Bogle was one of the greatest forces for wealth democratisation the world has ever seen.  He allowed people a way to be free from the parasitical "financial advisers" whose only real concern are the fat fees they get from selling you over-complicated "products" that have caused millions of people all around the world real harm.”

• Tuan Phan, a board member of SimplyFI.org

"In an industry that’s synonymous with greed, Jack Bogle was a lone wolf, swimming against the tide. When others were incentivised to enrich themselves, he stood by the ‘fiduciary’ standard – something that is badly needed in the financial industry of the UAE."

Updated: September 23, 2024, 11:39 AM