Abu Dhabi Culture Summit announces new line-up of international and regional speakers

The revised programme will include world-renowned architect Frank Gehry, designer of Guggenheim Abu Dhabi

The fifth summit runs under the theme of A Living Culture, which examines the collective ecosystems of culture. Photo: Abu Dhabi Culture Summit

The new line-up for Abu Dhabi Culture Summit 2022 has been announced, with international and regional experts set to take part in a series of curated panel discussions and artist talks.

Under the theme of A Living Culture, the summit will examine the role of collective culture and how to embrace it. The list of international speakers includes award-winning artists, a former president and prominent industry experts.

The news comes after the annual gathering was postponed following the death of Sheikh Khalifa, the UAE’s second president, on May 13.

The speakers include world-renowned architect Frank Gehry, whose works are considered some of the most important pieces of contemporary architecture. He designed the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi.

Amin Taha will also be speaking at the summit. The British architect was involved in a legal controversy and battle with local authorities, which he won, concerning the stone facade design of a residential building he and his firm designed in London.

Key figures speaking at the summit will also include the UAE Minister of Culture and Youth Noura Al Kaabi, former President of Croatia Ivo Josipovic, and Ernesto Ottone, assistant director general for culture at Unesco.

Sessions at the Abu Dhabi Culture Summit will cover a wide range of topics.

The Hollywood and the Diversity of Cultural Expression session will look at past criticisms around the lack of representation of women and people of colour in the industry, as well as the impact of new digital platforms and streaming services such as Netflix on the topic of diversity of cultural expression.

While Afghanistan Through a Culture Lens will look into the importance of preserving cultural assets with the Taliban now in control of the country.

The programme will also include a creative conversations segment led by curator and director of the Design Museum in London, Tim Marlow. The segment will feature guests like the world’s first humanoid artist Ai-Da the robot and Dr Jos Boys, co-founder of The DisOrdinary Architecture Project, which explores with disabled artists creative ways for access and inclusion.

Artists set to be delivering talks during the summit will include Nigerian sound and installation artist Emeka Ogboh and others will be announced soon.

Film screenings and artists’ performances from the likes of choreographer Kader Attou will also be taking place during the event.

Abu Dhabi Culture Summit 2022 will run from October 23 to 25 at Manarat Al Saadiyat, Abu Dhabi.

Frank Gehry's impressive structures — in pictures