UAE, Japanese Artists Unite in Cultural Talk at Expo Osaka

Photo: WAM

On July 15, the Abu Dhabi Festival’s Art @Embassies Talk took place at the UAE Pavilion during Expo 2025 Osaka. The event was held under the honorary patronage of H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and founding honorary patron of the Abu Dhabi Festival, and H.H. Sheikha Shamsa bint Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, patron of the festival. Organized by the Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation (ADMAF) and the Pavilion team, the session brought together Emirati and Japanese artists for a heartfelt conversation on identity, material, memory, and the pace of life.

Exchanging Cultures: UAE Meets Japan

The event featured a panel including young Emirati artists Shaikha Al Ketbi and Sarah Al Mehairi along with Chiaki Soma from Tokyo University of the Arts. They discussed deeply universal ideas such as how artists connect with their heritage, how memory shapes creativity, and how the speed of modern life differs around the world. This gave the audience a chance to reflect on how the UAE and Japan think about time, history, and daily living through creative practice.

ADMAF's Global Mission Continues

The talk is part of ADMAF’s Abroad Programme, which aims to promote understanding through art. Now in its third consecutive year, the programme has already taken place in London, Paris, and Seoul. This global journey helps Emirati artists share their work and engage in meaningful cross-cultural conversations. Hosting the talk in Osaka, with Japan as the Guest Country of Honour, highlights a special cultural bond between the UAE and Japan.

Insightful Voices From the Event

Huda Al Khamis‑Kanoo, Founder of ADMAF and the Abu Dhabi Festival, spoke passionately about the talk. She said it was a chance to explore differences and similarities between slower, traditional ways of living and our fast-moving digital age. She emphasized that themes like place, memory, and rhythm are universal to all artists, no matter where they come from.

Shihab Alfaheem, UAE Ambassador to Japan and Commissioner General of the UAE Pavilion, said art is a powerful way to build empathy, dialogue, and innovation. He praised the Art @Embassies series for showing off the UAE’s creative spirit and helping build stronger international connections.

Shaikha Al Ketbi, Deputy Commissioner General and Creative Director of the UAE Pavilion, emphasized that this conversation space centered on the voices of Emirati artists. She said it supports the idea of cultural diplomacy, where art becomes a bridge between countries and peoples.

UAE Pavilion’s Theme: Earth to Ether

The UAE Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka is themed “Earth to Ether”, a concept that explores how the UAE’s cultural roots inspire future progress. Located in the Empowering Lives Zone, the building was designed by the Earth to Ether Collective, a global design team led by the UAE Expo Office.

By placing art within this theme, the pavilion shows how creativity is connected to heritage, innovation, and a vision for the future. The Art @Embassies talk fits perfectly, offering global audiences a chance to see how culture evolves.

Other Artistic Programs at the Pavilion

The pavilion hosts several cultural and creative events:

1. April Calligraphy Collaboration

In April, Emirati artist Mohamed Mandi and Japanese master Juichi Yoshikawa created a beautiful joint artwork blending Arabic and Japanese calligraphy—a colorful expression of cultural fusion.

2. Guest Artists Takeover Residency

A residency program features Emirati talents like Asma Al Remeithi, Aisha (Yoshi) Al Ali, Sarah Al Mehairi, and Moza Almatrooshi. They lead interactive workshops and live art sessions, transforming the pavilion into a living studio where visitors can watch art being made in real time.

3. August Innovation Workshops

In August, winners of The Christo and Jeanne-Claude Award 2025, Sara Farha and Khaled Shalkha from NYU Abu Dhabi, will offer creative workshops focusing on experimentation, new ideas, and dialogue—another example of ADMAF’s focus on cross-cultural exchange and artistic innovation.

Why These Cultural Efforts Matter

These artistic activities aim to share the UAE’s creative identity with a global audience. By bringing Emirati artists to world stages, ADMAF is showing that the UAE is not just economically successful—it is culturally vibrant, globally connected, and open to creative exchange.

The programmes help strengthen international community bonds, promote learning, and celebrate creativity across cultures. Through these events, the UAE sends a message: art is more than entertainment—it is a vital tool for shaping understanding and cooperation among nations.

Amplifying Abu Dhabi’s Creative Vision

The UAE Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, supported by ADMAF, reflects Abu Dhabi’s ambition to be a global cultural hub. By focusing on arts, collaboration, and dialogue, the UAE is positioning itself as a leader in cultural innovation and diplomacy.

This cultural presence shows the world that Abu Dhabi values human connection, cultural diversity, and creative expression—all essential to its long-term vision for international cooperation.

Art as Cultural Diplomacy

Art @Embassies and the pavilion’s programs use cultural diplomacy to build lasting connections. This method encourages two-way exchanges: Emirati artists learn from their Japanese peers, and Japanese audiences and creators engage with Emirati perspectives.

Such exchanges open doors for future collaborations in art, education, and community engagement, ensuring deeper understanding and respect between countries.

The Art @Embassies Talk at the UAE Pavilion in Osaka shows how powerful art can be. It connects people, inspires empathy, and opens opportunities for meaningful global friendship. Through ongoing programming—from calligraphy crossovers to artist residencies and creative workshops—ADMAF and the UAE Pavilion are showcasing the bold, collaborative, and culturally rich vision of Abu Dhabi.

This cultural outreach encourages us all to reflect on our shared humanity and imagine futures where art builds bridges rather than walls. In a world that often feels divided, events like these remind us of the deep, universal connection art can create.