Quote from Alex bobby on April 27, 2025, 3:33 AM

Abu Dhabi Culture Summit 2025: Shaping the Future of Global Culture

From April 27 to 29, 2025, Abu Dhabi will once again place itself at the heart of the global cultural dialogue with the seventh annual Abu Dhabi Culture Summit. This three-day event, supported by the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism, continues the emirate’s ambitious efforts to become a major leader in the international cultural conversation.

With the theme "Culture for Humanity and Beyond," this year’s summit promises to be a dynamic exploration of what the cultural landscape of the future could look like. The focus is not only on celebrating global creativity but also on challenging attendees to rethink culture’s evolving role amid rapid technological and societal change.

A Meeting of Global Minds

The Culture Summit will bring together an impressive array of designers, artists, and cultural leaders from across the world. Their mission: to uncover “new perspectives as we navigate global technological transitions and build a sustainable future together,” as Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism, emphasised in a statement.

Participants will engage in conversations that stretch across disciplines, regions, and generations, all while rooted in a shared commitment to culture’s power to connect humanity across time and space.

As Ernesto Ottone R., Assistant Director-General for Culture at UNESCO — a key summit partner — pointed out, “From heritage to creativity, culture is an expression of humanity that connects us through time. This year’s theme challenges us to examine how technology has transformed this age-old relationship.”

A Powerful Lineup of Voices

The 2025 edition will feature influential artists and thinkers who are shaping contemporary culture in groundbreaking ways. Highlights include conversations with Colleen Atwood, the four-time Oscar-winning costume designer whose work has defined iconic films, and Refik Anadol, the digital and mixed-media artist known for using AI and data to create breathtaking, immersive experiences.

These conversations will be complemented by panels that dive deep into the most urgent issues facing the cultural sector today. Topics will include:

• The role of artificial intelligence in creative industries
• Culture as an instrument of global governance
• Strategies for the preservation and rehabilitation of cultural heritage

This rich, interdisciplinary agenda reflects Abu Dhabi’s broader vision: to not only host cultural conversations but to actively shape their direction on a global scale.

Building a Cultural Powerhouse

The Culture Summit is just one piece of a much larger strategy that Abu Dhabi has been steadily advancing. In 2024, the city hosted its largest-ever Abu Dhabi Art Fair, welcoming 104 galleries — a significant jump from 92 in 2023. The fair reinforced the emirate’s commitment to supporting artists, galleries, and collectors from around the world.

Meanwhile, investments in the Saadiyat Cultural District continue to transform Abu Dhabi into a destination for art and culture enthusiasts. The opening of the Louvre Abu Dhabi in 2017 marked a major milestone, offering a new model for cross-cultural collaboration. The long-anticipated Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, part of a partnership with the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation, is also moving closer to completion, promising to add another jewel to Abu Dhabi’s cultural crown.

These efforts are not only about building prestigious institutions but also about fostering a thriving cultural ecosystem that is accessible, inclusive, and forward-looking.

Culture as a Pillar for the Future

Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak’s vision for Abu Dhabi’s cultural leadership is deeply rooted in a belief in culture’s fundamental importance to society. As he told Euronews, “We believe that culture is the building block of any forward-thinking society. We believe it is principle for our youth.”

In a world increasingly shaped by technology, globalisation, and environmental challenges, the need for culture as a unifying, humanising force is more pressing than ever. The Abu Dhabi Culture Summit 2025 acknowledges this urgency, offering a platform where the past, present, and future of culture can be reimagined collaboratively.

By convening some of the brightest minds in arts, heritage, and innovation, Abu Dhabi is not just participating in the global cultural conversation — it is helping to lead it. As the emirate continues to invest in cultural initiatives that span disciplines and generations, its vision of culture as a catalyst for sustainable, inclusive growth is becoming a reality.

In April 2025, the world’s cultural attention will once again turn to Abu Dhabi — not just to celebrate its achievements but to join in imagining a future where culture remains at the heart of humanity’s journey forward.

Conclusion

The Abu Dhabi Culture Summit 2025 stands as a powerful testament to the emirate’s commitment to cultural leadership on a global scale. By bringing together visionaries from diverse creative fields and tackling urgent questions about technology, heritage, and humanity, Abu Dhabi is not just hosting a conversation — it is actively shaping the future of culture. As the world grapples with rapid change, events like this summit highlight the essential role of culture in building understanding, fostering innovation, and connecting communities. Abu Dhabi’s investment in cultural dialogue today promises to inspire generations to come, firmly establishing the city as a beacon for creativity, collaboration, and progress.