Global Encounters Festival 2025: What it is, why it matters, and what's new this year
TL;DR
The
Global Encounters Festival
is a
cultural and sports event
by the Ismaili Muslim community, held in Dubai from July 20-27, 2025.
It brings together over 4,000 young artists and athletes from more than 50 countries to celebrate creativity and sportsmanship.
The festival highlights
community values
like unity, leadership, and environmental responsibility, featuring art, sports, and cultural programs.
The Global Encounters Festival is a major event where young people from the Ismaili Muslim community come together to share their talents in arts and sports. It's set in Dubai this year and runs from July 20 to 27, with an opening concert the night before.
This festival is not just about competition or performances; it's about building friendships, learning from different cultures, and showing what young people can do when they work together. The event includes art exhibitions, music and theatre shows, plus sports tournaments across 18 different games.
This festival is unique because it's a global gathering designed to bring young Ismailis from around the world, more than 50 countries, under one roof.
The idea is to inspire creativity, promote teamwork, and encourage a sense of community.
A Look Back: Why the Festival Matters
The Global Encounters Festival started as a way to connect Ismaili communities worldwide through culture and sports. It's a space for youth to step into leadership roles and express themselves in safe, supportive settings. This 2025 edition is especially important as it's the first led by Prince Rahim Aga Khan, following the late Aga Khan IV's leadership.
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The festival also reflects a bigger message, about inclusion, sustainability, and respect for the environment. It supports the idea that community events can be fun while also caring for the planet. From tree planting to zero-waste goals, the organizers are serious about keeping things green.
Which Edition Is This?
The 2025 Global Encounters Festival is a first in many ways, it's the first time Jubilee Arts and Jubilee Games come together as one big global event.
Before this, Global Encounters meant youth camps held between 2013 and 2019 in Kenya and India. Those camps focused on leadership, service, and cultural exchange, but they weren't public festivals like this one. In past years, Jubilee Arts and Jubilee Games happened separately, each spotlighting either the arts or sports.
This year, everything joins under one roof. Over 4,000 young artists and athletes from 50+ countries will take part, making it the biggest and most inclusive festival yet.
So if you're wondering how special this event is, it's the first official combined Global Encounters Festival, bringing together talent, culture, and community like never before.
What Happens at the Festival?
Jubilee Arts:
This part covers everything creative, from paintings and films to music and theatre. Young artists get to showcase their work and meet others from different countries. It's about sharing stories and ideas through art.
Jubilee Games:
Sports fans get 18 sports to follow or compete in, football, cricket, basketball, swimming, and more. The games focus on fair play and bringing people together through friendly competition.
Community and Culture:
Visitors can explore the Ismaili Centre Dubai, which opens during the festival. It offers guided tours to help people understand the community's history and values. The festival is welcoming to everyone, no matter their background.
Festival Details You Should Know
When:
July 20-27, 2025 (Opening concert on July 19)
Main Venue:
Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC)
Other Venues:
Dubai Sports City, ICC Academy, Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Emirates Golf Club, and Ismaili Centre Dubai
Special Events:
Sufiana Concert featuring Salim-Sulaiman on July 20; a
sustainable fashion show
called Climate on the Catwalk
Tickets:
Kids under 10 get in free; tickets for others available online; some events need festival passes
COVID-19 Precautions:
Measures will be in place if necessary
What's New in 2025?
This year's festival features more sports, bigger cultural workshops, a focus on sustainability with eco-friendly fashion, and online live streams.
Festival kicked off July 19 with ongoing events all week.
Sufiana Concert: July 20, 20:00 at DWTC, tickets AED 160–1390; Salim-Sulaiman perform.
Climate on the Catwalk: Sustainable fashion show promoting climate awareness.
Global Encounters Challenges on care, creativity, and sustainability.
Virtual access and live-streaming available.
Expanded sports and new competition categories.
Increased cultural exchange workshops and events.
For further info, visit the
Official Festival Programme Brochure
and
The Ismaili Community Global Website
.
FAQs
Q: Who can participate in the Global Encounters Festival?
A: Young people from the Ismaili community around the world, in arts and sports, are the main participants.
But some events are open to the public as well.
Q: How can I attend or watch the festival?
A: Some events require tickets or passes, which you can get online. Others are free or open to the public. Many performances and competitions will also be live-streamed.
Q: How does the festival support environmental responsibility?
A: The organizers focus on green practices like zero waste, tree planting, and encouraging sustainable travel. There's also a fashion show to raise awareness about climate change.
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