Photo Credit : WAM
The Ministry of Culture is taking part in the fifth edition of Make it in the Emirates through its dedicated Artisans Pavilion, reinforcing efforts to position cultural and creative industries as key contributors to the national economy.
The pavilion delivers an immersive journey into the roots of Emirati craftsmanship, highlighting how traditional practices are evolving through innovation and modern technology. It underscores the potential of handicrafts as a productive sector capable of integrating into broader industrial and creative value chains.
Around 200 artisans are participating, supported by 21 national entities, including Ministry of Interior, Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority, Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, Sharjah Institute for Heritage, and Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, alongside several other institutions supporting artisans and creative professionals.
In addition, 18 creative companies are showcasing their work, including Mohamed Hilal Group and Royal Mandoos, reflecting the growing commercial potential of heritage-inspired products.
Visitors can experience live demonstrations of traditional crafts such as textile weaving, pottery, woodwork including mandoos-making, musical instrument crafting, and palm and marine-based crafts. The pavilion also features rare artefacts from national museums, offering insights into the historical development of Emirati crafts.
Among the highlights, Dubai Culture and Arts Authority is presenting artefacts from the Saruq Al Hadid archaeological site, dating back to the first millennium BC, while the Umm Al Quwain Department of Tourism and Archaeology and Ras Al Khaimah Department of Antiquities and Museums are displaying pottery, jewellery, and heritage objects discovered across their emirates.
The pavilion also emphasises innovation, showcasing projects that merge traditional crafts with technologies such as artificial intelligence, 3D printing, and virtual reality. An ‘Innovation Wall’ highlights three Emirati-led initiatives supported by the National Grant Program for Culture and Creativity.
A key attraction is an immersive digital experience of Emirati falconry, developed in collaboration with Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority and Emirates Council for Balanced Development, allowing visitors to explore the practice through advanced simulation.
The programme also includes panel discussions, workshops, and networking platforms connecting artisans with investors and industry stakeholders. A culinary corner and live performances further showcase the diversity of Emirati culture.
Last year’s edition of the Artisans Pavilion attracted more than 20,000 visitors and featured over 200 artisans. It also facilitated strategic partnerships and supported artisans with funding exceeding AED5.5 million, highlighting its growing impact on the UAE’s cultural economy.
