Art Dubai has announced the first details of its programming and partnerships for the 2025 edition, reaffirming the fair’s commitment to supporting and developing Dubai’s cultural ecosystem. 

 

The 2025 edition of Art Dubai takes place at Madinat Jumeirah from April 18 to 20, with invitation-only previews on April 16 and 17. 

 

Art Dubai’s 2025 programme demonstrates the fair’s commitment to providing significant commissioning opportunities for local and international artists; convening the world’s brightest creative minds through innovative talks and conference programming; and supporting scholarship and professional development programmes to develop the region’s future cultural leaders, it said. 

 

Programme highlights for Art Dubai 2025 will include:

• A new series of performances and site-specific interventions by Mexican artist Héctor Zamora, marking the launch of a new multi-year co-commissioning partnership between Art Dubai and Alserkal Avenue

• A major new digital commission by leading Emirati artist Mohammed Kazem, presented by Julius Baer 

• A series of experiential commissions and installations examining the transformation of nature through technology and human experience, including site-specific works by Ania Soliman and Total Arts at the Courtyard

• A series of new site-specific digital installations debuting at Art Dubai Digital, including by Ouchhh Studio, Breakfast, Jacopo Di Cera and Hybrid Xperience 

• The first details of Art Dubai’s flagship transdisciplinary summit, the Global Art Forum, entitled ‘The New New Normal’, commissioned by Shumon Basar, and curated by Y7 

• The second edition of Art Dubai’s Digital Summit, entitled ‘After the Technological Sublime’

 

These initiatives are an important complement to Art Dubai’s diverse gallery programme, which this year comprises more than 120 exhibitors, including dedicated sections curated by Magalí Arriola and Nada Shabout (Art Dubai Modern); Gonzalo Herrero Delicado (Art Dubai Digital); and Mirjam Varadinis (Bawwaba). 

 

Pablo del Val, Art Dubai’s Artistic Director, commented: “For nearly two decades, Art Dubai has played two complementary roles, as the region’s leading commercial art platform and as a unique institution that is rooted in and significantly contributes to the local cultural ecosystem. This year’s programme continues this long-term approach, working in partnership with local institutions, business and government to create new opportunities for artists, and enhancing Dubai’s reputation as a centre of innovation and thought leadership. We are proud to be a convener of the brightest minds and a meeting point for the diverse, global creative communities that we represent, those building the region’s cultural infrastructure, and the increasing number of people who call Dubai home.”

 

Art Dubai is held under the patronage of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. The fair is held in partnership with A.R.M. Holding. It is sponsored by Swiss Wealth Manager Julius Baer.  – TradeArabia News Service

 

Gulf Air, the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain, today (April 12) hosted a celebratory event at its Paddock Club Suite during the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2025. 

 

The event marked a historic milestone as two global icons - Gulf Air and Formula 1 - celebrated their 75th anniversaries, highlighting decades of innovation, excellence, and global impact. 

 

The evening also showcased Bahrain’s growing prominence as a global hub for motorsports and aviation and celebrated the unveiling of Gulf Air’s 75th anniversary emblem and slogan “Bringing the World to you for 75 Years”.

 

The event was hosted by Gulf Air Group CEO Jeffrey Goh and attended by President and Chief Executive Officer of Formula 1 Stefano Domenicali, who welcomed esteemed guests of Gulf Air’s Paddock Club Suite and representatives from the Bahrain International Circuit, in the presence of Gulf Air Group Chairman Khalid Taqi to honor the shared legacy of Gulf Air and Formula 1, while celebrating their longstanding partnership and mutual commitment to connecting people, cultures, and industries worldwide.

 

Speaking on the occasion, Goh said: "Celebrating our 75th anniversary alongside Formula 1 is a testament to the strength of our partnership and our shared commitment to excellence."

 

"The unveiling of our 75th anniversary emblem and slogan “Bringing the World to you for 75 Years” is not just a tribute to our past but also a promise for the future – a future defined by innovation, connectivity, and continued growth," he added.

 

Domenicali said 2025 was a special year for Gulf Air, which like Formula 1 celebrates its 75th anniversary. 

 

"Gulf Air has been an important partner since the historic first race in Bahrain, 21 years ago, contributing significantly to the growth of our sport in the region and globally. I would like to sincerely thank them for the passion, continuity and dedication they have always shown towards Formula 1," he stated.

 

The event was a celebration of legacy and vision, reinforcing Gulf Air’s role in supporting Bahrain’s status as a global leader in motorsports. 

 

The  Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix continues to be one of the most significant sporting events in the Kingdom of Bahrain, attracting fans and participants from around the world, stated Goh.

 

"Gulf Air remains proud to serve as the title sponsor of this prestigious event since the launch of the Grand Prix in Bahrain in 2004, further strengthening its ties to the global motorsport community," he added.-TradeArabia News Service

More than 1,000 people have been killed in Myanmar and thousands more injured following a 7.7. magnitude earthquake that was also felt in neighbouring countries.

 

A rescue team in Mandalay, Myanmar's second largest city, tells the BBC: "We are digging people out with our bare hands."

 

"Infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and buildings were affected, leading to casualties and injuries among civilians. Search and rescue operations are currently being carried out in the affected areas," stated the report citing Myanmar’s military.

 

Most of the fatalities are in Mandalay, the country’s second largest city, and the region closest to the earthquake’s epicentre.

 

In the Thai capital Bangkok – located 1,000km from the epicentre in Myanmar – about 10 more deaths have been confirmed.

 

Officials say at least 15 people are believed to be alive under the rubble of a collapsed high-rise building with 100 people still unaccounted for.

 

“We are still trying to pull out the rest of the trapped people, but we need large machines. They are still shouting, and we can still hear their voices, but we can’t know where they are,” a rescue worker tell BBC as rescue workers are attempting to reach seven people trapped under a high-rise building in Mandalay.

 

Foreign rescue teams began flying into Myanmar on Saturday to aid the search for survivors from the deadly earthquake, reported Reuters.

 

The US Geological Service's predictive modelling estimated the death toll could exceed 10,000 in Myanmar and that losses could exceed the country's annual economic output.

 

The quake damaged roads, bridges and buildings in Myanmar, according to the junta, whose top general made a rare call for international assistance on Friday.

 

"Search and rescue operations are currently being carried out in the affected areas," the junta said in a statement on state media on Saturday.

 

Meanwhile Myanmar’s giant neighbours China and India have sent teams to help with rescue efforts, reported AP. 

 

Being the military junta’s most important ally, as well as being one of its biggest trading partners, investing billions of dollars in mining, oil and natural gas developments in the resource-rich country, China was the responder sending its rescue group to Yangon on Saturday morning, according to Chinese state broadcaster CCTV.

 

A 37-member team from the Chinese province of Yunnan reached the city of Yangon early Saturday with earthquake detectors, drones and other supplies, it stated.

 

India said it had already sent a 80-member strong rescue and medical team, along with urgent humanitarian aid under Operation Brahma who will assist the rescue operations in Myanmar. 

 

About 15-tonne relief material from India, including ready-to-eat meals, tents and generator sets, arrived in Yangon this morning, said media reports. It also sent blankets, tarpaulin, hygiene kits, sleeping bags, solar lamps, food packets and kitchen sets to the affected areas.

 

"We will continue to monitor the developments and more aid will follow," said Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar on X on Saturday.

 

Russia was quick to follow China in deploying its own team of specialists, including dog teams, anesthesiologists and psychologists, the country’s emergencies ministry said.

 

Russia’s emergencies ministry dispatched two planes carrying 120 rescuers and supplies, according to a report from the Russian state news agency Tass. 

 

The United Nations allocated $5 million to start relief efforts, while South Korea said it would provide an initial $2 million in humanitarian aid to Myanmar through international organisations.

 

The US, which has a testy relationship with the Myanmar military and has sanctioned its officials, including junta chief Min Aung Hlaing, has said it would provide some assistance. 

 

President Donald Trump said Friday that the US was going to help with the response, but some experts were concerned about this effort given his administration’s deep cuts in foreign assistance.

 

Myanmar’s government meanwhile pointed out that blood was in high demand in the hardest-hit areas. In a country where prior governments sometimes have been slow to accept foreign aid, Min Aung Hlaing said Myanmar was ready to accept assistance.

 

Malaysia’s foreign ministry said the country will send 50 people on Sunday to help identify and provide aid to the worst-hit areas.

 

But amid images of buckled and cracked roads and reports of a collapsed bridge and a burst dam, there were concerns about how rescuers would even reach some areas in a country already enduring a humanitarian crisis.

 

Myanmar’s English-language state newspaper, Global New Light of Myanmar, said five cities and towns had seen building collapses and two bridges had fallen, including one on a key highway between Mandalay and Yangon.