Latest news with #Dabke
Iraqi News
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Iraqi News
Erbil hosts second Nationalities Festival celebrating cultural diversity
Erbil ( – The vibrant second edition of the Nationalities Festival commenced in Erbil's expansive Sami Abdulrahman Park on Tuesday evening (May 27, 2025). The event saw enthusiastic participation from numerous foreign consulates and international representative offices based in the Kurdistan Region, alongside a large turnout of local citizens. Dedicated to highlighting global cultural diversity, the festival features dedicated pavilions where different nations showcase their unique traditions and heritage. Visitors can also savor traditional culinary delights representing the participating peoples. The lively atmosphere is further enriched by diverse artistic activities, including captivating folkloric dances and energetic popular Dabke performances, reflecting the rich cultural character of the showcased countries. Organizers stated the festival aims to strongly promote values of coexistence, foster closer understanding between different peoples, and encourage intercultural dialogue within the notably multicultural environment of the Kurdistan Region. The Nationalities Festival thus serves as a colorful and engaging platform for cultural exchange and appreciation in Erbil.
CairoScene
22-03-2025
- Entertainment
- CairoScene
Moving Still's Close to the Shams Brings Arabic Nostalgia to the Club
The Arab-Irish producer blends Dabke rhythms, Italo grooves, and deep basslines in a vibrant four-track EP. Mar 22, 2025 Arab-Irish producer and DJ Moving Still is back with Close to the Shams, his latest four-track EP, out now via Bordello A Parigi. Following his Ouddy Bangers series, this release feels more personal, weaving themes of heritage, family, and nostalgia into high-energy, sunlit productions. Inspired by the birth of his daughter, Close to the Shams—meaning 'Close to the Sun' in Arabic—radiates warmth both in its concept and sound. Across the four tracks, Moving Still blends Dabke rhythms, Italo synths, and deep basslines, resulting in an EP that feels like the perfect soundtrack for summer. Opener Zaman immediately sets the tone with its punchy breakbeat and lush melodies—very summery, perfect to jam on the beach. Bang of Luban, named after the Arabic word for chewing gum, brings in deep basslines and hypnotic grooves—this one feels like a morning car ride to the beach. The title track, Close to the Shams, definitely captures its energy—it feels like a rave under the sun. The Arabic influences blend so seamlessly, giving it such a rich, nostalgic feel. Finally, Sunday Rollover (SUNTOP MIX) closes things off with a funk-infused, sun-soaked groove—a very funky, summery tune that's impossible to sit still to. Overall, 'Close to the Shams' is definitely the go-to EP for this summer. Close to the Shams is out now on all platforms.
Khaleej Times
16-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
UAE: How professionals are balancing their work and hobbies to monetise their passion
Should compensation trump creativity? There is a debate among UAE creatives — there are those who attempt to blend their interests and monetise their hobbies to justify spending time on them. While some succeed at it, others say it defeats the inherent purpose. 'Monetising my work feels like a natural progression,' said Dubai resident Tuqa Al Ayoubi, noting the time and resources she put into photography meant that getting paid for her efforts was the next logical step. A PR professional by trade, Ayoubi's love for photography started early. She told Khaleej Times: 'Growing up, I always had a camera in hand, always capturing moments big and small. It helps people see themselves in a way they might not have before.' Ayoubi credited her Sophomore year social circle with truly bringing her work to fruition, saying it allowed her 'to preserve precious memories into beautiful, lasting creations.' Despite this emotional connection, as she poured more resources into her hobby, making money from it seemed natural. Many UAE-based photographers agree with her sentiment as online photography groups have devolved into freelance photographers advertising their services. Despite landing several paid gigs, Ayoubi said her free photoshoots with friends reminded her of why she fell in love with the hobby in the first place. 'It's easy to get swept up in the momentum of striving for professional success, leaving little room for personal passions,' she added. Photography, however, took a backseat between nine-hour work days, four-hour commutes, and saving weekends for friends and family. Instead of forcing herself to turn her hobby into a side job, Ayoubi 'chose to take a step back rather than compromise the quality of my work,' as she plans to 'return to it when the timing feels right.' Finding financial gain After putting down her teaching credentials for the day, Furat Abdeljaber finds herself at home between the vocals of her choirs and the smashing boots of her Dabkeh group. Dabkeh is a Levantine folk dance. The daughter of a Dabke instructor, Abdeljaber credits her father with passing his love for the Palestinian dance down to her and her siblings. Abdeljaber's current place of employment, the American University of Sharjah, is where she first sang professionally in 2019, although she began much earlier. 'Both singing and Dabke provide me with a sense of peace and fulfillment,' she said. The adjunct professor admitted that she's been able to pursue both her hobbies because of her part-time work, 'I would rather work two part-time jobs and have time for personal interests than work full-time and risk burnout,' Abdeljaber added. There had been times when she considered monetising her hobbies, particularly singing. The singer eventually decided against pursuing this path, saying, 'keeping the passion alive is far more important than pursuing financial gain.' Abdeljaber emphasised the importance of having a creative outlet outside of work. She only paused her hobbies when circumstances made them physically impossible, such as studying abroad without access to a Dabke group. The right balance While Ayoubi and Abdeljaber chose to separate their creative outlets from their careers, others have embraced this mixture and thrived, albeit with certain modifications. Aya Younis, a former teacher and current adjunct professor, has been drawing for as long as she can remember. For Younis, loving a movie or video game always meant creating an art piece dedicated to it. Once she got good enough at it, commissions began flowing in. The 23-year-old said her hobby has been difficult to maintain with the added stress of work and hobby monetisation. She added that at the worst of times, her commissions and social media insights didn't just correlate to her success but became it. Upon starting out as a teacher, Younis said she found herself neglecting her art, 'I denied myself the opportunity to creatively express myself and practice what I've always loved,' she said. Eventually, this burnout caused her to put it on pause altogether. 'I've often fallen victim to the mentality that success is only achieved through monetisation and that the only progress or achievement that matters is one that can be financially measured,' she said. Still, balancing between creativity and business is an art in its own right. Huda Al Ayoubi, like Younis, is an illustrator, but instead of shunning the financial aspect of her hobby, she fully embraced it. At 29 years old, Huda has turned her creative outlet into a source of income, working with companies such as Apple, MG Motors, and Adidas. The art director said the corporate rat race has conditioned people to believe that ' Everything you create and consider valuable can be seen as a potential opportunity.' Despite it being her career, Huda's passion for art remains unchanged. 'it's a way to express myself, process feelings and ideas, and bond within my community. It still helps me work out my thoughts productively,' she said. Both artists recommended shifting to a physical art medium, away from digital, to forcefully separate one's art from the digital 'hustle culture.' While creativity can be financially lucrative, it doesn't have to be. Some might be able to turn it into careers or side hustles, but ultimately, art is a pursuit worth doing for its own sake. Huda's final piece of advice for creatives is worth pondering for those who are worried about wasting their potential: ' It's normal to feel FOMO about missing that, even though there's no actual need to.'
