Expo City Dubai to mark Emirati Women’s Day with a creative programme celebrating women in the arts

Expo City Dubai will mark Emirati Women’s Day on 28 August with an expansive creative programme at the Women’s Pavilion, including the opening of an engaging digital exhibition that highlights the contribution of Emirati women in the arts.

Spotlighting the UAE’s achievements and ambitions in gender equality and women’s empowerment, the Women’s Pavilion will launch the Khaleeji Art Museum exhibition, the first digital museum that exhibits and promotes the work of artists and photographers from and residing in the Arabian Gulf.

Following an invitation-only opening event with singer and songwriter Sara Al Hashimi and scholar, teaching artist and poet Dr Afra Atiq, the Women’s Pavilion will offer free entry to visitors, including access to the exhibition, from 1200-2000.

Emirati Women’s Day highlights the country's global leadership in empowering women while also reflecting on what remains to be done. This year’s theme is ‘We collaborate for tomorrow’ and was chosen to align with 2023 as the UAE’s Year of Sustainability, reflecting the UAE’s belief in the significance of women’s empowerment in the fight against climate change as the UAE prepares to host the COP28 climate summit at Expo City Dubai later this year.

Marjan Faraidooni, Chief of Education and Culture, Expo City Dubai, said: “The UAE is a role model for advancing gender balance, and at the Women’s Pavilion we also believe that the only way to peace, prosperity, and sustainability is through the full and equal participation of women.

“Emirati Women’s Day is an opportunity to celebrate our achievements and successes, and art, in all its forms, is the perfect medium to bring important issues closer to people’s hearts. The Women’s Pavilion is honoured to host this impressive array of pioneering and inspiring Emirati artists.”

The Khaleeji Art Museum exhibition, which will run until 11 September, features Maitha Demithan, known for reimagining scanography techniques; Roudhah Al Mazrouei, whose oil paintings intersect surrealism with contemporary Arab art; photographer Alia Bent Sultan Aljoker, whose work merges the UAE's past and present identity; and Fatema Al Fardan, who explores themes of femininity, hierarchy and the absurd.