Abu dhabi: The Ministry of Culture is participating in the fifth edition of the 'Make it in the Emirates' at the 'Artisans Pavilion'. This participation aligns with the Ministry's strategy to empower creative and cultural industries and enhance their contribution to the national economy, positioning them as promising sectors driven by knowledge and innovation.
According to Emirates News Agency, the Artisans Pavilion offers a fully immersive and interactive experience for visitors. The journey traces the origins of Emirati craftsmanship, showcases how innovation and modern technologies are transforming traditional practices, and highlights the promising opportunities they offer. Through this, the pavilion positions handicrafts as a productive sector capable of integrating into industrial and creative value chains.
The pavilion hosts around 200 artisans registered with relevant authorities and institutions dedicated to supporting artisans, freelance creatives, and experts in traditional crafts. Their participation is supported by 21 major entities and institutions, including the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Community Empowerment, General Women's Union, and others such as the Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council (Nafis), Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi, and Dubai Culture and Arts Authority.
In addition, 18 creative companies are participating, including the Mohamed Hilal Group and Meera Jewellery. The Artisans Pavilion includes a wide array of activities, most notably live demonstrations offering an interactive experience of traditional crafts such as textile arts, pottery, and wooden crafts. The pavilion also features platforms exhibiting rare heritage pieces from national museums, highlighting the deep history and evolution of crafts across generations.
Dubai Culture and Arts Authority is showcasing selected artefacts from the Saruq Al Hadid site, while the UAQ Department of Tourism and Archaeology is displaying pottery, metal pieces, and jewellery from archaeological sites. The Department of Antiquities and Museums - Ras Al Khaimah is presenting items such as a locally made cooking pot and a ceramic coffee dallah.
In an effort to promote innovation, the pavilion showcases applied models integrating traditional crafts with emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, 3D printing, and virtual reality. The 'Innovation Wall' features three technological projects by Emirati creatives supported by the National Grant Program for Culture and Creativity.
The Ministry of Culture, in collaboration with Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority, is also presenting an immersive virtual experience that digitally revives Emirati falconry. The pavilion includes platforms showcasing contemporary creative products and hosts specialised panel discussions exploring the future of crafts and cultural industries. Interactive workshops offer visitors hands-on experience with various crafts, aiming to transform them into innovative production ventures.
The pavilion includes dedicated spaces for meetings and networking and features a culinary corner offering traditional Emirati dishes, complemented by performing arts showcases. Last year, the Artisans Pavilion recorded broad participation, showcasing 50 Emirati crafts and featuring the work of more than 200 artisans supported by 19 key entities. It attracted over 20,000 visitors, including around 2,800 students.