UAE Consulate Partners with NYU Abu Dhabi to Host Inaugural Majlis Series Event with UAE Culture Minister Noura Al Kaabi

NEW YORK – April 10, 2018 – The Consulate General of the United Arab Emirates in New York and New York University Abu Dhabi hosted a conversation on the future of arts and culture in the UAE with Her Excellency Noura Al Kaabi, UAE Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development, and Dean Allyson Green of the NYU Tisch School of the Arts. The inaugural event was part of the Consulate’s Majlis Series, a discussion forum that promotes a deeper understanding of the UAE-US shared interests and values.

“The UAE is a culturally diverse country with over 200 nationalities. Our creative industries give us an opportunity to connect all of these people in meaningful ways,” Minister Al Kaabi said. “The UAE is also leveraging the arts and culture sector to preserve our traditional heritage while at the same time tell our stories of the present and future through innovative methods.”

The event, gathering students, business and cultural leaders from the UAE and US, featured welcoming remarks by His Excellency Majid Al-Suwaidi, UAE Consul General in New York.

“Our Majlis Series aims to share different viewpoints and inspire new thinking through discussions with global leaders like Her Excellency Al Kaabi and Dean Green,” Consul General Al-Suwaidi said. “The series is derived from the idea of a traditional Majlis, referring to a place of gathering in Emirati culture for friends, neighbors and families to socialize and discuss daily issues over Arabic tea and coffee.”

The discussion was moderated by Dean Green and covered topic areas including how the UAE’s cultural sector has evolved, what role technology has in the UAE’s arts and culture space, and key initiatives the UAE government is taking to grow the industry.

“It was an honor to speak with Her Excellency Al Kaabi.  She was an inspiring role model for our audience and shared her wisdom, passion and dedication to collaborative leadership,” Dean Green said. “We are fortunate to be part of the NYU global network, with an important campus and arts center in NYU Abu Dhabi, which connects all of us to the UAE. We have much to learn from the history and culture of this region where East and West converge and where new voices from long traditions in the arts are emerging in each emirate.” 

The Majlis Series supports the Consulate’s efforts to build upon the strong cultural ties between the UAE and US. Other cultural-related events led by the UAE Consulate in New York have included the UAE NYCFC South Bronx Street Festival and the Author Talk with Aysha Al Naqbi.

Her Excellency’s Al Kaabi’s participation in the Majlis Series event was part of a number of engagements in New York where she met with leaders from New York City’s iconic cultural institutions, such as Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum, Juilliard School, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Museum of Modern Art, New York Public Library, Parsons School of Design, and the Studio Museum in Harlem.