The historic site of Qasr Al Hosn has announced three new exhibitions to mark the beginning of its cultural programme for this year. Taking place within the complex’s Cultural Foundation and House of Artisans, the exhibitions will be accompanied by events and workshops across the site and will feature a mix of home-grown and regional talent alongside international artists.
The first exhibition, Weaving Cultures: From Mexico to the UAE, is set within the House of Artisans, which is dedicated to preserving and promoting traditional Emirati crafts and practices. The show features textiles and items from the collections of the Mexican non-profit Fomento Cultural Citibanamex, AC and House of Artisans. Interlacing the two cultures, the exhibitions will feature works by artists from both countries, encompassing everything from sculptures, paintings, woodwork and textiles.
Next door, Cultural Foundation will host two solo exhibitions by Emiratis — General Behaviour by artist and photographer Farah Al Qasimi and visual artist Mohamed Al Astad’s Another Perspective.
Al Qasimi's show explores consumer culture in the UAE while challenging perceptions of reality through a series of photos and videos she took between 2012 and 2021. Although she currently lives in Brooklyn, New York, Al Qasimi's work zooms in on daily life in the UAE, as well as aspects of identity along the intersections of gender, nationality and social class. In 2021, she was shortlisted for the Louis Roederer Discovery Award.
Al Astad has shown regularly at the Cultural Foundation and is known for his use of sea sand and rust to create dramatic visual pieces. In Another Perspective, his works will be arranged alongside large-scale paintings to create an interactive installation, providing viewers with an immersive experience.
The three exhibitions will run until Tuesday, September 20.
Along with the new shows, the Department of Culture and Tourism — Abu Dhabi is launching a series of events and workshops across Al Hosn, featuring a mix of artists from several genres. The programme at Cultural Foundation will also include concerts by Kuwaiti pop star Humood Alkhuder and celebrated Tunisian singer Lotfi Bouchnak and a performance by French-Algerian dancer and choreographer Kader Attou.
House of Artisans will also host workshops on traditional handicrafts as well as performances. Specific dates for the programmes as well as Ramadan and Eid specials will also be announced soon.
Al Hosn is home to Qasr Al Hosn, the oldest and most significant historic building in the capital, which housed the ruling family for centuries and was the emirate’s original seat of government. In January, the cultural site was awarded the gold accolade at the 2021 World Architecture News Awards, topping a shortlist featuring six other international sites in the Mixed Use category.
Entry to Al Hosn is free, but access to specific workshops and performances will be ticketed. A green pass on the Al Hosn app is required for entry in line with Covid-19 and security protocols. More information is available at qasralhosn.ae
Scroll through the gallery for more pictures of the Al Hosn cultural site:
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Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
Mica
Director: Ismael Ferroukhi
Stars: Zakaria Inan, Sabrina Ouazani
3 stars
EPL's youngest
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4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
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6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
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9.30pm: Forever Young
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Match info
Deccan Gladiators 87-8
Asif Khan 25, Dwayne Bravo 2-16
Maratha Arabians 89-2
Chadwick Walton 51 not out
Arabians won the final by eight wickets
MATCH INFO
Newcastle 2-2 Manchester City
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Liverpool 2-1 Brighton
Tottenham 3-2 Bournemouth
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Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Marital status: Single
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
THE BIO
Family: I have three siblings, one older brother (age 25) and two younger sisters, 20 and 13
Favourite book: Asking for my favourite book has to be one of the hardest questions. However a current favourite would be Sidewalk by Mitchell Duneier
Favourite place to travel to: Any walkable city. I also love nature and wildlife
What do you love eating or cooking: I’m constantly in the kitchen. Ever since I changed the way I eat I enjoy choosing and creating what goes into my body. However, nothing can top home cooked food from my parents.
Favorite place to go in the UAE: A quiet beach.
if you go
The flights
Etihad and Emirates fly direct to Kolkata from Dh1,504 and Dh1,450 return including taxes, respectively. The flight takes four hours 30 minutes outbound and 5 hours 30 minute returning.
The trains
Numerous trains link Kolkata and Murshidabad but the daily early morning Hazarduari Express (3’ 52”) is the fastest and most convenient; this service also stops in Plassey. The return train departs Murshidabad late afternoon. Though just about feasible as a day trip, staying overnight is recommended.
The hotels
Mursidabad’s hotels are less than modest but Berhampore, 11km south, offers more accommodation and facilities (and the Hazarduari Express also pauses here). Try Hotel The Fame, with an array of rooms from doubles at Rs1,596/Dh90 to a ‘grand presidential suite’ at Rs7,854/Dh443.
