The “Days of Culture of the UAE” is a modern cultural initiative focused on celebrating the heritage, traditions, and arts of the United Arab Emirates. July 2 was the last of the 2024 UAE “days of culture”, celebrated in Moscow, organized by the UAE embassy in Russia.
Citizens and tourists enjoyed the opportunity to learn more about the UAE’s attractions, traditional clothing, and food, study the technique of henna painting, attend a calligraphy master class, visit a picture exhibit, and enjoy a presentation of traditional crafts.
In 2021, Russia and the UAE discussed means to further develop cultural ties. The two sides highlighted the significance of boosting co-operation relations between the UAE and Russia’s Ministries of Culture along with various cultural entities. In 2022,co-operation between the two nations grew even bigger in tourism, the UAE recorded a staggering 60 % increase in visits from Russia, compared to previous years.
Russia’s search for alternative trading partners to replace its severed ties with the West is reflected in bilateral trade with the UAE, which grew by 68 percent in 2022, reaching a record $9 billion, with Russian exports accounting for $8.5 billion, a 71 percent rise.
Even before the war with Ukraine, bilateral trade had been rapidly expanding in recent years, thanks primarily to an increase in Russian agricultural exports, which continue to account for a sizable part of Russian commodities bound for the UAE.
Co-operation in culture between the two countries has grown even stronger since 2021 when both nations strengthened their partnership. It’s made evident in the success of this year’s ‘Days of Culture of the UAE’. The organizers aimed to introduce Russians to UAE culture and heritage, emphasizing the importance of culture as a bridge between peoples and societies.
Visitors from the UAE are lured to Russia’s rich culture and huge parks and museums, which boast gorgeous architecture and breathtaking landscapes. Tourists have commended eclectic gastronomy, which combines cuisines from several nationalities, for its quality and flavour. Celebrants converged to the heart of Moscow – Manezhnaya Square – to see cultural performances, participate in master classes, be photographed against the backdrop of art objects, and taste popular Arabian treats.
To foster international ties, Moscow attends important specialized fairs, organizes commercial missions, and organizes projects and events for foreign audiences. One of the BRICS+ nations key focus areas is to strengthen diplomacy among members by encouraging cultural exchanges. In May, BRICS ministers of culture held their 7th meeting virtually ahead of BRICS 2024.
Chinese Minister of Culture and Tourism Hu Heping presided over the meeting and delivered a keynote speech, he put forward five proposals for deepening people-to-people exchanges and cooperation among the BRICS countries. These included advancing practical cooperation, and pursuing innovation and development. BRICS cultural ministers have expressed their appreciation to China for organizing the meeting and pledged to expand exchanges and cooperation in the spirit of inclusiveness and mutual learning.
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