Sharjah’s March Meeting is taking place during Ramadan this year, and much of its programming echoes the communal nature of the holy month.
The annual event, organised by the Sharjah Art Foundation, is being held from Friday to Sunday at Al Qasimiyah School. It coincides with the Sharjah Biennial, which is running under the title To Carry, reflecting on what we individually carry, from memories to languages, histories, wounds and ruptures.
The March Meeting's performances and discussions examine the meanings behind the biennial’s theme, but with an added focus. This year, under the title To Carry Song, they examine how songs contain cultural memories and hereditary knowledge.
The programme also addresses other modes of storytelling, including cooking, and aims to underscore the role of communities to conserve and pass on knowledge. To accommodate schedules during Ramadan, the programme will run between 10pm and 1am.
Here is what to look forward to at this year’s March Meeting.
Conversations
Panel discussions are always a focal point of the March Meeting. The platform attracts cultural figures and artists from around the world to discuss pressing subjects that resonate with the art world, particularly in the Global South.
On Friday, Emirati artist Hashel Al Lamki and Amal Khalaf, one of the biennial’s co-curators, will discuss how contemporary art practices are shaped by cross-cultural dialogue as well as experimentation with different materials. The discussion will reflect on Al Lamki’s own process, particularly related to projects the artist is presenting at the biennial, including Maat and Part-Time Lovers.
Gazan artists Mohammed Al-Hawajri and Dina Mattar will take part in a panel discussion on Friday. The couple, who moved to the UAE last year after their home in Gaza was bombed by Israeli forces, will be discussing their artistic process and the role art plays in preserving cultural identity in the face of existential uncertainty.
Swiss-Iranian poet Athena Farrokhzad and Indian poet Meena Kandasamy will be part of a panel discussion on Saturday about poethics, a portmanteau combining the words poetics and ethics. The discussion, moderated by Sharjah Biennial co-curator Natasha Ginwala, will explore the power of poetry to reflect upon political, environmental and social issues.
Also on Saturday, Navajo composer and artist Raven Chacon will delve into his artistic practice and the convergence of music, art and activism. He will be joined by Yakthan artist and filmmaker Subash Thebe Limbu, who will talk about Adivasi Futurism, a concept and art movement that incorporates elements from Adivasi culture within themes of science fiction and fantasy. Also joining the panel are Nici Cumpston, director of Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal art collection at the University of Virginia. Megan Tamati-Quennell, co-curator of the Sharjah Biennial, will be moderating the panel.
On Sunday, UK and Stockholm-based artist Olivia Plender and British social anthropologist Celia Plender will examine the transition between feudalism and colonialism, while highlighting the continuing impact of these historic power structures.
Later that day, New Zealand artist Luke Willis Thompson will discuss his work Whakamoemoea. The film piece is characterised as a political sci-fi. It was shot at Te Whare Runanga, a famous example of Maori architecture, carved from timber and incorporating other organic materials. It is a meeting house at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, where the founding document of Aotearoa/New Zealand was signed. Whakamoemoea is set in 2040, and presents a news broadcast that announces Aotearoa's movement from colonial governance to an indigenous, plurinational state.
Istanbul-born artist Dilek Winchester and New Zealand artist Ana Iti will then discuss how their two practices have a similarity in the way they deal with language as systems of knowledge. Winchester explores how Turkey’s adoption of the Latin alphabet impacted Turkish culture. Iti, on the other hand, examines the role of the printing press in disseminating the Maori language. The session will be moderated by Zeynep Oz, a co-curator of the biennial.
The five co-curators will come together in the final panel of the March Meeting to discuss their experiences of curating the event, and how their diverse backgrounds bolstered their collaboration.
Performances
Performances at the March Meeting will mirror many of the themes discussed. Houaida, known for her dreamy, otherworldly soundscapes, will conclude the inaugural day. New Zealand musician Mara TK will take the stage in the opening performance on Saturday, presenting soulful music informed by an intimate understanding of Te Reo Maori, the Maori language.
Later that day, Indonesian artists Suvi Wahyudianto and Dicky Senda will present a lecture and cooking performance. They will then discuss with biennial co-curator Alia Swastika how culinary practices have a role to play in the process of decolonisation.
Ata Ratu, from East Sumba, Indonesia, will conclude Saturday’s performances. Ratu will play the four-stringed jungga, a zither instrument from the island.
A concert by Chaar Yaar – the Faqiri Quartet on Sunday will be final performance of the March Meeting. The ensemble draws inspiration from 12th and 13th century Punjabi legends. Their work also touches upon more recent history, such as the partition of India and Pakistan, as well as devotional traditions that express love, friendship and exile.
Sharjah Art Foundation's March Meeting is running until Sunday at Al Qasimiyah School. Timings and a detailed programming is available online
BORDERLANDS
Starring: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Jamie Lee Curtis
Director: Eli Roth
Rating: 0/5
Yuki Means Happiness
Alison Jean Lester
John Murray
Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
Sri Lanka-India Test series schedule
- 1st Test India won by 304 runs at Galle
- 2nd Test India won by innings and 53 runs at Colombo
- 3rd Test August 12-16 at Pallekele
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Chelsea 2 Burnley 3
Chelsea Morata (69'), Luiz (88')
Burnley Vokes (24', 43'), Ward (39')
Red cards Cahill, Fabregas (Chelsea)
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
War 2
Director: Ayan Mukerji
Stars: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana
Rating: 2/5
The Norwegian Nobel Committee, which awards the prestigious peace prize, held its final meeting on Monday, the Nobel Institute said on Thursday, a day ahead of the announcement of the 2025 laureate.
This means a decision was made about the laureate or laureates before the conclusion of an agreement between Israel and Hamas, which included a ceasefire and the release of hostages.
President Donald Trump pushed for the ceasefire as part of a 20-point plan to resolve the Gaza war.
Who was Alfred Nobel?
The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.
- In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
- Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
- Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
Picture of Joumblatt and Hariri breaking bread sets Twitter alight
Mr Joumblatt’s pessimism regarding the Lebanese political situation didn’t stop him from enjoying a cheerful dinner on Tuesday with several politicians including Mr Hariri.
Caretaker Culture Minister Ghattas Khoury tweeted a picture of the group sitting around a table at a discrete fish restaurant in Beirut’s upscale Sodeco area.
Mr Joumblatt told The National that the fish served at Kelly’s Fish lounge had been very good.
“They really enjoyed their time”, remembers the restaurant owner. “Mr Hariri was taking selfies with everybody”.
Mr Hariri and Mr Joumblatt often have dinner together to discuss recent political developments.
Mr Joumblatt was a close ally of Mr Hariri’s assassinated father, former prime minister Rafik Hariri. The pair were leading figures in the political grouping against the 15-year Syrian occupation of Lebanon that ended after mass protests in 2005 in the wake of Rafik Hariri’s murder. After the younger Hariri took over his father’s mantle in 2004, the relationship with Mr Joumblatt endured.
However, the pair have not always been so close. In the run-up to the election last year, Messrs Hariri and Joumblatt went months without speaking over an argument regarding the new proportional electoral law to be used for the first time. Mr Joumblatt worried that a proportional system, which Mr Hariri backed, would see the influence of his small sect diminished.
With so much of Lebanese politics agreed in late-night meetings behind closed doors, the media and pundits put significant weight on how regularly, where and with who senior politicians meet.
In the picture, alongside Messrs Khoury and Hariri were Mr Joumbatt and his wife Nora, PSP politician Wael Abou Faour and Egyptian ambassador to Lebanon Nazih el Nagari.
The picture of the dinner led to a flurry of excitement on Twitter that it signified an imminent government formation. “God willing, white smoke will rise soon and Walid Beik [a nickname for Walid Joumblatt] will accept to give up the minister of industry”, one user replied to the tweet. “Blessings to you…We would like you to form a cabinet”, wrote another.
The next few days will be crucial in determining whether these wishes come true.
Roger Federer's record at Wimbledon
Roger Federer's record at Wimbledon
1999 - 1st round
2000 - 1st round
2001 - Quarter-finalist
2002 - 1st round
2003 - Winner
2004 - Winner
2005 - Winner
2006 - Winner
2007 - Winner
2008 - Finalist
2009 - Winner
2010 - Quarter-finalist
2011 - Quarter-finalist
2012 - Winner
2013 - 2nd round
2014 - Finalist
2015 - Finalist
2016 - Semi-finalist
UAE rugby in numbers
5 - Year sponsorship deal between Hesco and Jebel Ali Dragons
700 - Dubai Hurricanes had more than 700 playing members last season between their mini and youth, men's and women's teams
Dh600,000 - Dubai Exiles' budget for pitch and court hire next season, for their rugby, netball and cricket teams
Dh1.8m - Dubai Hurricanes' overall budget for next season
Dh2.8m - Dubai Exiles’ overall budget for next season
Crazy Rich Asians
Director: Jon M Chu
Starring: Constance Wu, Henry Golding, Michelle Yeon, Gemma Chan
Four stars
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E77kWh%202%20motors%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E178bhp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E410Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERange%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E402km%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDh%2C150%2C000%20(estimate)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ETBC%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
GOLF’S RAHMBO
- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
VERSTAPPEN'S FIRSTS
Youngest F1 driver (17 years 3 days Japan 2014)
Youngest driver to start an F1 race (17 years 166 days – Australia 2015)
Youngest F1 driver to score points (17 years 180 days - Malaysia 2015)
Youngest driver to lead an F1 race (18 years 228 days – Spain 2016)
Youngest driver to set an F1 fastest lap (19 years 44 days – Brazil 2016)
Youngest on F1 podium finish (18 years 228 days – Spain 2016)
Youngest F1 winner (18 years 228 days – Spain 2016)
Youngest multiple F1 race winner (Mexico 2017/18)
Youngest F1 driver to win the same race (Mexico 2017/18)
The specs: Audi e-tron
Price, base: From Dh325,000 (estimate)
Engine: Twin electric motors and 95kWh battery pack
Transmission: Single-speed auto
Power: 408hp
Torque: 664Nm
Range: 400 kilometres
Company Profile:
Name: The Protein Bakeshop
Date of start: 2013
Founders: Rashi Chowdhary and Saad Umerani
Based: Dubai
Size, number of employees: 12
Funding/investors: $400,000 (2018)
Poacher
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ERichie%20Mehta%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Nimisha%20Sajayan%2C%20Roshan%20Mathew%2C%20Dibyendu%20Bhattacharya%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E3%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Getting there
The flights
Flydubai operates up to seven flights a week to Helsinki. Return fares to Helsinki from Dubai start from Dh1,545 in Economy and Dh7,560 in Business Class.
The stay
Golden Crown Igloos in Levi offer stays from Dh1,215 per person per night for a superior igloo; www.leviniglut.net
Panorama Hotel in Levi is conveniently located at the top of Levi fell, a short walk from the gondola. Stays start from Dh292 per night based on two people sharing; www. golevi.fi/en/accommodation/hotel-levi-panorama
Arctic Treehouse Hotel in Rovaniemi offers stays from Dh1,379 per night based on two people sharing; www.arctictreehousehotel.com
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000
Available: Now
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
A cheaper choice
Vanuatu: $130,000
Why on earth pick Vanuatu? Easy. The South Pacific country has no income tax, wealth tax, capital gains or inheritance tax. And in 2015, when it was hit by Cyclone Pam, it signed an agreement with the EU that gave it some serious passport power.
Cost: A minimum investment of $130,000 for a family of up to four, plus $25,000 in fees.
Criteria: Applicants must have a minimum net worth of $250,000. The process take six to eight weeks, after which the investor must travel to Vanuatu or Hong Kong to take the oath of allegiance. Citizenship and passport are normally provided on the same day.
Benefits: No tax, no restrictions on dual citizenship, no requirement to visit or reside to retain a passport. Visa-free access to 129 countries.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
